# zk Privacy Solution Comparison

## How does zkBob compare to other privacy protocols?

zkBob provides everyday privacy to everyday users. Limits, compliant wallet checks, and other security features ensure that zkBob is a safe place for honest users to discreetly transfer stable value.&#x20;

Different privacy solutions offer different tradeoffs for users seeking anonymity on-chain. Below are some features that set zkBob apart.

<table><thead><tr><th width="138"> </th><th width="150">zkBob</th><th>Railgun</th><th>Secret Network</th><th width="119">zk.Money (sunset &#x26; no longer active)</th><th>Tornado.cash (pre-ban)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Stable fees</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> <br>$0.10/tx on Polygon<br>$ dynamic stable fees on Optimism</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> <br>variable</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>variable</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> <br>variable</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>variable</td></tr><tr><td>Optional KYC</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> users can submit KYC to increase deposit limits.</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> <br>No KYC option for individuals</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> <br>No KYC option for individuals</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> <br>N/A</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>N/A</td></tr><tr><td>No additional wallet required</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> standalone transfers and withdrawals from app</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>requires wallet</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>requires wallet</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>requires wallet</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>requires wallet</td></tr><tr><td>No native tokens required</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> Tokens used for all interactions and pay for gas fees</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>required for shielding</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>SCRT required for fees</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> <br>required for withdrawal and deposit</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> <br>required for withdrawal/deposit</td></tr><tr><td>Multisender</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> <a href="https://mirror.xyz/0x6132eB883e88CD4E007552b871A6444Bfc34E837/mjYXeD7a005fdCu6dKdohfrSpcqpsuetW6djT46bDFk">read more</a></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td></tr><tr><td>Deposit limits (non-KYC)</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> &#x3C; 10K USDC per address in 24 hours, 300K total protocol per 24 hours</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td> <span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span><br>N/A</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td></tr><tr><td>Tiered deposit limits (KYC'd)</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> &#x3C; 20K USDC per address in 24 hours.</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td></tr><tr><td>Current withdrawal limits</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> &#x3C; 300K per day for the total protocol</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td></tr><tr><td>Current pool size limits</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> 2M USDC Polygon <br><br>10M USDC Optimism</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td></tr><tr><td>TRM compliance integration</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> Risk management and illicit funds detection</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td></tr><tr><td>Cloud API</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> Beta Gated implementation</td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

A big differentiator between the protocols is zkBob’s use of tokens such as USDC for transactions and fees. With stable pools, transaction fees do not fluctuate for users (hard coded to $0.10 per tx on Polygon/ $0.50 per tx on Optimism). If the actual tx cost is less, the extra amount is collected and dedicated to protocol and user support. In rare cases when it costs more, txs are divided and processed in several transactions.

zkBob pools have the additional utility including the ability to introduce [compounding](https://docs.zkbob.com/roadmap/exploratory-features/compounding) and lost/expired token redistribution. These features on the roadmap will provide future incentives for zkBob users.

[Multitransfer](https://docs.zkbob.com/zkbob-app/transfers/multitransfers) is another unique zkBob feature, allowing users to transfer to multiple zk addresses with a single transaction. This is especially useful for employers sending salary payments to many employees. Rather than create proofs and pay fees for each tx, these can be sent in bulk, saving time and overhead costs.

Additional [zkBob roadmap](https://docs.zkbob.com/roadmap) items include multi-chain deployment, decentralized relayer infrastructure, and fast client state sync also set it apart from competitors in the space.

In the table below we explore some technical and operational differences between zkBob, zk.money and Tornado.cash (pre-ban).

## Operational Comparison Table

{% hint style="warning" %}
Note comparisons were made to show varying technology and zk tech. As zk.money and tornado.cash are no longer in active operation (sunset or banned), zkBob is currently the primary solution for optional privacy.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

|                                               | zkBob                                                             | zk.money (now sunset)                             | Tornado.cash (pre-ban)                                                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Deployment Chain**                          | Polygon                                                           | Aztec Network Rollup                              | Ethereum/Gnosis Chain                                                                                                                                                      |
| **zkSNARK**                                   | Groth’16                                                          | PLONK                                             | Groth’16                                                                                                                                                                   |
| **Verification time**                         | \~3 ms                                                            | \~ 6ms                                            | \~3 ms                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Prover algorithm RAM requirements**         | \~5MB                                                             | \~900MB                                           | \~10MB                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Trusted setup**                             | :white\_check\_mark: Per circuit                                  | :white\_check\_mark: Universal                    | :white\_check\_mark: Per circuit                                                                                                                                           |
| **Deposit gas size**                          | 642K                                                              | 51K                                               | 910K                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Arbitrary Deposits/Transfers/Withdrawals?** | :white\_check\_mark:                                              | :white\_check\_mark:                              | <p><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="274c">❌</span> Regular TC<br><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2705">✅</span> TC Nova</p> |
| **Gas fee token(s)**                          | -> USDC/ETH/BOB deposits & withdrawals (no native token required) | -> ETH deposits & withdrawals                     | -> ETH deposits & withdrawals                                                                                                                                              |
| **Transfer token(s)**                         | USDC, ETH, BOB                                                    | zkETH / zkDAI / zkrenBTC                          | ETH, DAI, USDC                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Transaction times**                         | < 1 minute, Polygon infra                                         | Variable (4hours to < 5 min) based on desired fee | < 1 minute, Nova on Gnosis Chain infra                                                                                                                                     |
| **Tokenomics**                                | :white\_check\_mark: XP Auctions on roadmap                       | :x:                                               | :white\_check\_mark: TORN governance token                                                                                                                                 |
| **Geo restrictions**                          | :white\_check\_mark: implemented                                  | :x:                                               | :x:                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Multi-chain deployment**                    | :white\_check\_mark: Optimism & Polygon                           | :x:                                               | :white\_check\_mark:  (prior roadmap)                                                                                                                                      |
| **Decentralized relayers**                    | :white\_check\_mark: On roadmap                                   | :x: (Multi-rollup infra on Roadmap)               | :white\_check\_mark:                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Fast client-state sync**                    | :white\_check\_mark: On roadmap                                   | :x:                                               | :x:                                                                                                                                                                        |
