Polygon vs Ethereum, what is the difference?

Polygon vs Ethereum is a comparison between a base blockchain and a network built to work alongside it. Ethereum is the main chain where its own validators settle transactions. Polygon Chain, the network most people mean by Polygon, processes transactions on its own chain and anchors summaries of them to Ethereum. They share the same smart contract format but differ in security, fees and tokens.

What is the difference between the Polygon and Ethereum network?

• Security. Ethereum uses proof of stake. Validators deposit 32 ETH, one is picked every 12-second slot to propose a block, and blocks are finalized when validators holding two thirds of staked ETH agree. Polygon Chain has its own proof-of-stake layer, Heimdall, with up to 105 active validators who each stake at least 10,000 POL.
• Link to Ethereum. Polygon's Heimdall layer regularly submits checkpoints, a single Merkle root summarizing many Polygon blocks, to contracts on Ethereum. These checkpoints are needed to withdraw assets back to Ethereum. Polygon's own architecture docs describe its staking contracts as living on Ethereum.
• Finality. Polygon says its blocks reach deterministic finality in about 2 to 5 seconds.
• Compatibility. Polygon's execution layer, Bor, is based on Go Ethereum, so Ethereum apps and wallets work on it with few changes.

Polygon's design is explained further in what is Polygon (POL).

How do Polygon vs Ethereum gas fees differ?

Both use gas, the unit that measures the work a transaction needs. On Ethereum, a plain ETH transfer uses 21,000 gas, and fees are paid in ETH. Each block has a base fee that is burned and an optional tip for validators, and the base fee moves up or down by up to 12.5% per block with demand. The full mechanics are in what are gas fees.

On Polygon Chain, gas is paid in POL, which replaced MATIC on September 4, 2024 at a 1 to 1 ratio. Polygon describes the chain as designed to raise throughput and lower costs compared with Ethereum mainnet. Fees on both networks change with demand, so check your wallet's estimate.

How does USDC on Polygon vs Ethereum differ?

USDC is issued natively on both networks by Circle, but each version is a separate token on its own chain. Circle launched native USDC on Polygon PoS in October 2023. Before that, the common version was bridged from Ethereum, now labeled USDC.e, with a different contract address. Circle warned that sending USDC.e to a Circle account after support ended might not be recoverable. The USDC vs USDC.e guide covers the split.

Polygon or Ethereum network, which one is a transfer on?

An exchange or wallet will ask you to choose. Both use the same address format, so a mistake is easy to make. The receiving platform must support the exact network and token you pick. Moving between them requires a bridge.