As blockchain ecosystems continue to expand, cross-chain bridges have become essential infrastructure for transferring assets across networks. With hundreds of bridges now available—ranging from official solutions like Arbitrum Bridge and Avalanche Bridge to third-party platforms such as cBridge, Stargate, and Multichain—the competition is fierce. According to Defillama, the top 18 cross-chain bridges collectively process over $80.4 billion in monthly transaction volume, highlighting their growing importance in decentralized finance (DeFi).
While security, functionality, and user experience remain key considerations, transaction cost has emerged as a primary decision factor for users. This analysis evaluates the fee structures of five leading cross-chain bridges—Across, cBridge, Hop, Multichain, and Stargate—to determine which offers the most cost-effective solution across various transfer sizes and chains.
How Cross-Chain Bridge Fees Work
Each bridge employs a unique fee model. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimizing transfer costs.
Across
Across charges two components: target chain gas fees and a protocol fee calculated via a dynamic formula detailed in its official documentation. The protocol fee adjusts based on network conditions and transfer size, aiming to balance efficiency and cost.
cBridge
cBridge’s fee structure includes target chain gas fees and a protocol fee ranging from 0% to 0.5%, depending on the asset and route. It dynamically adjusts to market demand, offering lower rates for larger volumes.
Hop Protocol
Hop uses an AMM-based model with a flat 0.04% swap fee. However, due to slippage in its liquidity pools, it's less suitable for large transfers. Although its documentation mentions a minimum $1 fee, real-world tests show this isn’t currently enforced.
Example: A $6.8 transfer from Polygon to Arbitrum resulted in $6.51 received—indicating minimal effective fees.
Multichain
Multichain differentiates fees by asset and destination. For major tokens like ETH, USDC, and USDT:
- Transfers to Ethereum: 0.1% fee with a $4.9 minimum
- Transfers to BSC, Polygon, or Avalanche: 0.01% fee with a $0.19 minimum
- Other chains: flat $0.19 fee
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Fees include both gas and protocol charges, deducted directly from the transferred amount.
Stargate
Stargate charges a 0.06% fee on non-STG token transfers but has a more complex cost structure:
- "Gas on destination": Estimated target chain gas
- "Gas cost": Includes both source and actual destination gas, paid in the source chain’s native token
- "Fee": The protocol charge
Crucially, Stargate requires users to pay fees separately, unlike others that deduct them from the transfer amount. This makes its displayed receive amounts appear higher—but total out-of-pocket costs are often greater.
Example: A 1 USDT transfer from BNB Chain to Ethereum showed a "Gas cost" of 0.036075 BNB (~$10), far exceeding the transferred value.
Comparative Analysis: ETH & USDC Transfers
We evaluated cross-chain costs for ETH and USDC moving from Arbitrum to Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Optimism, across amounts from $100 to $1 million.
ETH Transfer Cost Breakdown
For small transfers (0.1–1 ETH):
- Across and Hop lead with the lowest fees
- Multichain ranks third, followed by Stargate and cBridge
For larger transfers (10–1000 ETH):
- Multichain dominates, offering the lowest costs
- Hop and Across remain competitive but fall behind
- Stargate consistently ranks lowest due to high gas overhead
When moving ETH from Arbitrum to BNB Chain:
- Only Multichain and cBridge support the route
- Multichain wins for small amounts
- cBridge becomes cheaper at higher volumes
To Optimism:
- Multichain leads across all sizes
- Across and Hop fluctuate between second and third
- Stargate lags significantly
USDC Transfer Cost Breakdown
For transfers to Ethereum:
- Across and Hop are cheapest at $100–$1,000
- Multichain excels at $10K+, with declining effective rates
- cBridge improves with volume but remains behind Multichain
- Hop’s costs rise sharply at scale
To BNB Chain:
- Only Multichain and cBridge support the path
- Multichain wins for sub-$1K
- cBridge takes over above $10K
To Optimism:
- Multichain is consistently the cheapest
- Across and Stargate are significantly more expensive
Key Findings: Who Leads in Cost Efficiency?
Based on comprehensive testing:
| Bridge | Small Transfers | Large Transfers | Overall Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multichain | Strong | Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Hop | Excellent | Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Across | Moderate | Moderate-Weak | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| cBridge | Weak | Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Stargate | Weak | Weak | ⭐ |
Multichain emerges as the most cost-efficient bridge overall, especially for transfers above $10,000. Its fee model scales favorably with volume, often reducing the effective rate as transfer size increases.
👉 See how you can minimize fees on your next cross-chain move.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why does Stargate appear cheaper than it actually is?
A: Stargate displays higher receive amounts because it deducts fees separately from your wallet—not from the transferred sum. This creates a misleading impression of lower costs, though total expenses are often higher.
Q: Is Hop suitable for large asset transfers?
A: No. Due to its AMM-based model, Hop suffers from slippage on large swaps, making it best suited for transfers under $1,000.
Q: Does Multichain charge different fees for different tokens?
A: Yes. While major tokens like USDC and USDT have standardized rates, lesser-known tokens may incur higher or variable fees, updated via their official channels.
Q: How does cBridge’s fee model adapt to volume?
A: cBridge reduces its effective rate as transfer size increases, making it increasingly competitive for large transactions—though still behind Multichain in most cases.
Q: Are gas fees included in all bridge cost comparisons?
A: Yes. This analysis includes both protocol fees and actual gas costs incurred on source and destination chains for accurate total cost evaluation.
Q: Can I save on fees by choosing a specific time to transfer?
A: Potentially. Network congestion affects gas prices. Transferring during off-peak hours on Ethereum or using lower-cost intermediary routes (e.g., via Polygon) may reduce costs.
Final Verdict: Choose Smart, Transfer Smarter
When evaluating cross-chain bridges, cost efficiency should not be judged by headline rates alone. Hidden gas costs, fee structures, and volume-based pricing all impact the final expense.
For most users—especially those moving large amounts—Multichain offers the strongest value proposition, combining low base fees with scalable pricing. Hop and Across are excellent for smaller transfers, while cBridge becomes competitive at scale. Stargate, despite its marketing appeal, falls short in real-world cost performance.
As interoperability evolves, choosing the right bridge will increasingly hinge on intelligent cost analysis—not just brand recognition.
👉 Start optimizing your cross-chain transactions today—low fees await.