Transaction fees are often the first thing users notice when choosing between ERC20 and TRC20. The gap is dramatic and directly affects how much it costs to move USDT or other tokens.
ERC20 tokens run on the Ethereum blockchain, where every transaction requires gas fees paid in ETH. During periods of network congestion, these fees can spike to $30–$35 per transfer. Even during quiet periods, ERC20 transfers rarely drop below a few dollars.
TRC20 tokens on the TRON network take a fundamentally different approach. TRON uses an energy and bandwidth resource system. When you stake TRX tokens, you receive energy credits that cover transaction costs — meaning many TRC20 transfers cost as little as $0–$1, and sometimes nothing at all.
Fee Comparison Table
In early 2026, TRC20 USDT transfers cost only $1–2 per transaction. Meanwhile ERC20 transfers can hit $30–35 during busy times. For active traders making multiple daily transfers, TRC20 saves significantly over time.
Why ERC20 Fees Are Higher
Ethereum processes around 15 transactions per second. Heavy demand from DeFi protocols, NFT markets, and token swaps all compete for block space, pushing gas prices upward unpredictably. Fees fluctuate based on network activity and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Why TRC20 Fees Stay Low
TRON uses Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) with 27 super representatives. This architecture supports over 2,000 transactions per second with consistent block times of 3 seconds. High throughput means minimal congestion and stable low fees regardless of traffic volume.
Which Should You Choose Based on Fees?
For frequent small transfers, day trading, or remittances — TRC20 is the clear winner on cost. For large institutional transfers or DeFi interactions where security justifies the cost, ERC20 remains the standard. The right choice depends entirely on how often you transfer and how much fee predictability matters to you.
April 16, 2026
