A head-to-head comparison of Across Protocol and LayerZero — pricing, the features that actually differ, and which one fits which use case.
Intent-based cross-chain bridge with the fastest settlement and lowest fees on EVM routes
Omnichain messaging protocol underpinning many cross-chain apps and bridges
These are the 6 capabilities where the two tools genuinely diverge — the rest of their feature sets overlap.
| Capability | Across Protocol | LayerZero |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Time | ~2 minutes | ~1-5 min |
| Bridge Model | Intent-based (relayer network) | Omnichain messaging (DVN) |
| Fee Model | Dynamic LP fee only | Messaging + gas fee |
| Canonical Security | Yes | No |
| Arbitrary Messaging | No | Yes |
| Non Evm Support | No | Yes |
| Feature | Across Protocol | LayerZero |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Time | ~2 minutes | ~1-5 min |
| Bridge Model | Intent-based (relayer network) | Omnichain messaging (DVN) |
| Fee Model | Dynamic LP fee only | Messaging + gas fee |
| Canonical Security | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cross Chain Messages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Governance Token | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi Chain | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self Custody | ✓ | ✓ |
| Arbitrary Messaging | ✗ | ✓ |
| Non Evm Support | ✗ | ✓ |
Both tools are free to use — costs come from network or usage fees.
Across Protocol
Free
LayerZero
Free
Watch out: EVM-only — no Solana, Bitcoin, or non-EVM chain support.
Watch out: Security is configurable and app-dependent.
Across Protocol edges ahead on our editorial score (4.6/5), but these tools aren’t straight substitutes. Pick Across Protocol when fastest evm bridge — ~2 minutes vs hours for canonical bridges matters most to your workflow; pick LayerZero when dominant omnichain messaging foundation is the priority. The deciding factor is usually the trade-off you can least afford — Across Protocol means accepting that evm-only — no solana, bitcoin, or non-evm chain support, while LayerZero means security is configurable and app-dependent.
Across Protocol carries the higher editorial rating (4.6/5 vs 4.3/5), but they solve different problems. Across Protocol is the stronger pick when you need fastest evm bridge — ~2 minutes vs hours for canonical bridges. LayerZero wins when dominant omnichain messaging foundation.
Both tools are free to use, with costs coming from network or usage fees rather than subscriptions.
Across Protocol's main limitation is that evm-only — no solana, bitcoin, or non-evm chain support. For LayerZero, security is configurable and app-dependent. Weigh these against how you actually plan to use the tool.
In most cases yes — many teams run both, using each where it's strongest. Since Across Protocol leads on fastest evm bridge — ~2 minutes vs hours for canonical bridges and LayerZero on dominant omnichain messaging foundation, the two are often complementary rather than mutually exclusive.