ZK Rollups use zero-knowledge proofs for instant verification, whereas Optimistic Rollups rely on a challenge period to detect fraud. ZK Rollups finalize transactions immediately, reducing latency and providing stronger security guarantees. Optimistic Rollups are easier to implement and support general-purpose smart contracts more easily but have delayed finality. ZK Rollups require more complex cryptography and proof generation. Choosing between the two depends on trade-offs: ZK Rollups for high-security, low-latency applications, and Optimistic Rollups for faster development and broader EVM compatibility.
