If you're about to launch a token, one of the first decisions you'll face is picking between ERC-20 on Ethereum and BEP-20 on BNB Smart Chain. You can create fungible tokens with either one, and they both work with wallets, DEXs, and DeFi protocols. But the networks behind them are very different in cost, speed, and ecosystem. Here's how they compare.
What is ERC-20?
ERC-20 is the token standard on the Ethereum blockchain. It defines a set of rules that all fungible tokens on Ethereum must follow, covering things like transfers, balances, and approvals. Ethereum is the oldest and most widely used smart contract platform, so ERC-20 tokens have access to the biggest DeFi ecosystem and the most liquidity of any chain. Pretty much every wallet out there supports them too.
What is BEP-20?
BEP-20 is the token standard on BNB Smart Chain (formerly Binance Smart Chain). It's technically compatible with ERC-20, meaning the interface and function signatures are nearly identical. What actually matters is the network underneath: BNB Smart Chain uses fewer validators and a Proof of Staked Authority consensus model, which gives you faster block times and much lower transaction fees than Ethereum.
ERC-20 vs BEP-20: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | ERC-20 (Ethereum) | BEP-20 (BNB Smart Chain) |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Ethereum | BNB Smart Chain |
| Gas Fees | $0.50 - $10+ (varies with congestion) | $0.03 - $0.30 |
| Block Time | ~12 seconds | ~3 seconds |
| Validators | ~900,000+ (Proof of Stake) | 21 active validators (PoSA) |
| Ecosystem Size | Largest DeFi ecosystem | Large, Binance-backed ecosystem |
| DEX Support | Uniswap, SushiSwap, 1inch, and hundreds more | PancakeSwap, Biswap, and others |
| Wallet Compatibility | MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Ledger, and all major wallets | MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and most EVM wallets |
| Best For | DeFi, institutional projects, maximum credibility | Low-budget launches, meme coins, fast transactions |
Which one should you pick?
It depends on your project. Think about what you're building, who's going to use it, and how much you want to spend on gas.
Launching a meme coin? BEP-20 is usually the better bet. Gas fees on BNB Smart Chain are a fraction of what Ethereum charges, which matters a lot when your community is making frequent small trades. Cheap transactions keep the energy going and lower the barrier for new buyers.
Building a DeFi protocol? ERC-20 gives you access to the most liquidity and the widest range of composable protocols. Most serious DeFi activity still happens on Ethereum, and launching there puts you closer to the money.
Corporate or institutional token? Ethereum's decentralization and security track record make it the safer bet when trust and credibility are non-negotiable. Hundreds of thousands of validators and a battle-tested network go a long way with stakeholders.
Working with a tight budget? BNB Smart Chain keeps your deployment and operational costs low. If you're testing an idea or running a community project without a big treasury, the lower fees on BSC will stretch your budget further.
Can you deploy on both?
Yes, and plenty of projects do exactly that. Since BEP-20 is EVM-compatible, the same Solidity code works on both chains with minimal changes. Deploying on Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain lets you tap into both ecosystems and reach a wider audience.
With CreateMyToken's Token Builder, you can deploy your token on either chain in minutes, no coding required. Just pick your network, configure your token settings, and hit deploy.
Want to go the Ethereum route? Use our Ethereum Token Creator or create your ERC-20 token with the full suite of features like minting, burning, and access control.
Prefer BNB Smart Chain? Our BNB Smart Chain token creator walks you through the entire process. Same clean interface, same one-transaction deployment, just on a cheaper network.
You could even launch on both chains and bridge liquidity between them later as your project grows.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between ERC-20 and BEP-20?
They run on different blockchains. ERC-20 tokens live on Ethereum, which has higher fees but a larger, more decentralized ecosystem. BEP-20 tokens run on BNB Smart Chain, where transactions are faster and gas costs are much lower. The token interfaces are nearly identical since BNB Smart Chain is EVM-compatible.
Are BEP-20 fees really cheaper than ERC-20?
By a lot. A typical token transfer on BNB Smart Chain costs a few cents, while the same transaction on Ethereum can run $0.50 to over $10 depending on network congestion. If your community is making frequent trades, that difference adds up fast.
Can I convert an ERC-20 token to BEP-20?
You can't directly convert an existing ERC-20 token into a BEP-20 token. They're separate contracts on separate blockchains. What projects typically do is deploy a new token contract on BNB Smart Chain and use a cross-chain bridge to let users swap between the two versions. This is common for projects that want to expand to multiple chains.
Which standard is more secure, ERC-20 or BEP-20?
At the token level, security is about the same. Both use Solidity and similar code patterns. Where they differ is the network: Ethereum has hundreds of thousands of validators, making it more decentralized and harder to attack. BNB Smart Chain uses just 21 validators, which is faster but trades off some decentralization. Either network is secure enough for most token projects. High-value protocols tend to go with Ethereum for the extra peace of mind.