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Arbitrum One vs Nova: key differences explained
Two chains, one name, very different jobs. We break down where Arb Nova actually beats Arbitrum One, why their TPS and finality differ, and how to move funds between them.
Insights
Numbers
Proven performance
TL;DR
Key takeaways
Arbitrum One and Nova are both Optimistic Rollups on Ethereum but built for different jobs.
Arbitrum One uses full on-chain data for max security and handles 8–15 TPS.
Nova uses the AnyTrust model and a Data Availability Committee for ultra-low fees.
Nova trades some decentralization for speed, theoretically reaching up to 40,000 TPS.
Pick One for DeFi and security; pick Nova for gaming, social, and NFT high-volume apps.
5 minute reading
Insights
What is the Arbitrum ecosystem
One of the leading Ethereum-like networks nowadays - Arbitrum - has an ecosystem of DeFi applications and protocols. The goal of Arbitrum is to suite the existing Ethereum network and provide it with a more scalable layer to improve several factors: the increased speed and stability of transactions, the decreased price of the gas on transactions and on-chain activities as well as the increase of the general throughput so that developers and users can push more information and exchanges on the network.
The list of scalable solutions by Arbitrum and the development team behind it - Offchain Labs - consists of several layers and services, but the two biggest ones are Arbirtum One and Arbitrum Nova - the rollup Layer 2 networks.
These two blockchains are somewhat similar but at the same time have their own differences.
This review compares Arbitrum One and Nova to help you decide which one suits your needs.
What is Arbitrum One Network?
Arbitrum One was designed to enhance Ethereum's scalability and efficiency. Its primary goal is to reduce transaction costs (gas fees) and increase transaction throughput without sacrificing Ethereum's security. It’s said that Arbitrum One represents the main chain for the Arbitrum ecosystem as it’s Total Value Locked (a.k.a. TVL) metric is higher than the Arbitrum Nova’s one, presenting a broader level of popularity.
Arbitrum One - Technical aspects
By using Optimistic Rollup technology, Arbitrum One allows for the execution of smart contracts and transactions at a higher speed and lower cost than on Ethereum's mainnet, while still inheriting the underlying security properties of the Ethereum blockchain. This makes it a valuable solution for developers looking to build decentralized applications that require the security and decentralization of Ethereum but are hindered by its scalability limitations.
Arbitrum One is the first Arbitrum Rollup chain, operating as an Optimistic Rollup protocol that inherits the security of the Ethereum network. This Layer 2 solution lets builders create decentralized applications (dApps) with Ethereum-grade security guarantees, without compromising on decentralization or introducing additional trust assumptions.
With the architecture design that was used to build Arbitrum One, the average transactions per second metric (TPS) is recorded somewhere between 8 and 15 transactions.
Arbitrum One - Ecosystem aspects
Due to the increased throughput and additional layer for transaction operations, Arbitrum One is a notable network in the DeFi and dApp ecosystems
Arbitrum One's architecture, powered by the Nitro technology stack, offers features such as calldata compression, separate execution contexts, and Ethereum L1 gas compatibility, enabling developers to build dApps with low transaction costs.
In simple terms, Arbitrum is a hub for the applications and protocols that focus on real value for the community: decentralized exchanges, staking, crypto payments and even memecoins. The latter are on the watchlists of numerous influencers and enthusiasts. It’s possible to say that Arbitrum One is a notable option among the solutions that scale Ethereum and provide an already developed ecosystem.
Editorial Team
FAQs
Got questions?
Still have questions? Contact us and we’ll help you out.
01
What's the difference between Arbitrum One and Nova?
Arbitrum One is an optimistic rollup that posts all transaction data to Ethereum for full security. Nova uses the AnyTrust model, storing data off-chain via a Data Availability Committee and posting only certificates — much cheaper, but with an added trust assumption.
02
Is Arbitrum One the same as Arbitrum?
Not exactly. Arbitrum is the broader ecosystem from Offchain Labs; Arbitrum One is its flagship rollup chain. Nova is the second chain. One holds the higher TVL and is treated as the main chain for DeFi.
03
What is Arbitrum Nova built for?
Nova targets gaming, social platforms, and NFT projects — high-volume apps that do tons of on-chain activity and need ultra-low fees. It uses AnyTrust and a DAC to push costs to sub-cent levels.
04
How do their TPS numbers compare?
In practice Arbitrum One handles ~20–40 TPS, while Nova benchmarks around 100–200+ TPS thanks to off-chain data availability. Nova's theoretical ceiling runs into the tens of thousands, but real-world figures stay in the low hundreds.
05
Why are Nova's transaction fees lower?
Nova stores transaction data with a DAC and posts only a certificate to Ethereum, so its L1 gas footprint is tiny. That gives sub-cent fees versus roughly $0.20-ish on One under similar conditions. Nova's minimum gas price is also 0.01 gwei vs One's 0.1 gwei.
06
Which chain is more secure?
Arbitrum One — it's fully trustless at the data layer with all data on Ethereum and fraud proofs enforcing correctness. Nova is only 'mostly trustless': it assumes at least one honest DAC member for data availability, so its trust model is weaker.
07
How do I bridge between Arbitrum One and Nova?
Use Symbiosis, which supports both chains. Connect your wallet, pick Arbitrum One and Nova as source and destination, set the amount, review the route and price, then confirm in your wallet.
08
What should I watch out for when moving funds?
The same token symbol can exist on both chains but point to different contracts and liquidity, so check which chain your dapp or token actually lives on. Bridging between the two adds fees and smart-contract risk versus staying on one chain.
Learn more
Bridge guide
What is Arbitrum? Guide to the Ethereum L2 and ARB
By the end you'll know how the Arbitrum blockchain processes transactions off-chain, why it stays cheaper than Ethereum mainnet, and where ARB fits into the layer 2 picture.
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Bridge BNB to Arbitrum: best L2 by liquidity depth
Moving BNB onto Arbitrum looks simple until slippage and bridge protocol TVL start eating your trade. Here's how the routes actually compare, where deep liquidity lives, and what it costs.
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How to stake ARB on Arbitrum: step-by-step guide
Wondering where your ARB stake actually earns the most? We'll walk through the platforms, how reward weight ties to your activity across the Arbitrum ecosystem, and what to watch before you commit.
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