LayerZero vs Relay

LayerZero3.2/5

VS

Relay4.3/5

Feature	LayerZeroVisit	RelayVisit
Ratings
Our score	3.2/5	4.3/5
User rating	No reviews yet	No reviews yet
Security	2.5	3.5
Speed	3.5	5.0
Fees	3.0	4.5
Chain coverage	4.5	4.5
Ease of use	3.0	4.5
Specs
KYC required	Not disclosed	No
Design	Messaging protocol	Intent-based
Chains	Ethereum, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche, Solana, Aptos, Tron, Other	Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, BNB Chain, Solana, Bitcoin, Sui, Tron, Other
Chains supported	132	85
Typical fee	Messaging fee plus source-chain gas; native USDT0 transfers carry no USDT0 fee	Under $0.01 average cost plus dynamic execution fees
Typical transfer time	Not disclosed	1 second
Security model	Application-configured decentralized verifier networks (DVNs)	Non-custodial depository with authorized signer oracle Hub and relayer settlement
Audited	Yes	Yes
Token	ZRO	Not disclosed
Intent-based	Not disclosed	Yes
Native token transfers (no wrapped tokens)	Yes	Yes
Company
Founded	2021	2023
Headquarters	—	United States
Investors	Citadel Securities, Tether, a16z crypto, Andreessen Horowitz +23	Archetype, Union Square Ventures
Strengths and weaknesses
Pros	Supports 132 blockchains, including EVM networks, Solana, Aptos and Hyperliquid Applications can configure their own verifier networks and quorum OFT supports native-style transfers for issued assets such as USDT0 Permissionless messaging infrastructure is available to application developers	Average execution speed of one second across supported networks No wrapped tokens used, settling directly in native destination assets Average transaction fee sits below $0.01 plus network gas Connects over 85 networks without pooled treasury lock-in
Cons	A 1-of-1 verifier setup enabled the April 2026 KelpDAO exploit The KelpDAO bridge lost approximately $292 million in April 2026 Fees vary by chain, message and delivery route Applications remain exposed to chosen DVNs and compromised RPC infrastructure	Verification hub depends on an authorized oracle signer architecture Solver capacity limits maximum transfer size during volatile market conditions Relay Vaults retired in late 2026, requiring manual user balance withdrawals
Best for	Multichain token issuers, Cross-chain application developers, Stablecoin infrastructure teams	Fast native multi-chain transfers, Cross-chain stablecoin settlements, Developers building cross-chain checkout

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