> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sophon.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Understanding how Sophon's EVM implementation compares to Ethereum

# EVM Compatibility

While Sophon is EVM compatible and you can use familiar development tools from the Ethereum ecosystem, it provides two ways to deploy contracts:

* Native zkEVM contracts (optimized for performance and lower gas costs)
* Standard EVM contracts (through the EVM Bytecode Interpreter)

## Key Benefits

* **EVM Compatibility**: Most Ethereum smart contracts will work on Sophon
* **Familiar Development Tools**: Use the same development tools like Hardhat and Foundry
* **Extended Functionality**: Access to additional features like Paymasters
* **Dual Execution Models**: Support for both zkEVM native contracts and EVM bytecode contracts

## Recommended Best Practices

When developing for Sophon, consider the following:

1. **Test thoroughly on Sophon testnet** before deploying to mainnet
2. Be aware of **gas model differences** between Ethereum and Sophon
3. Understand **limitations in contract interactions** between EVM and zkEVM contracts
4. Take advantage of **zkEVM-specific features** like paymasters and account abstraction

## Core Differences and Implementations

Learn about the zkEVM and how it differs from standard Ethereum EVM.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="EVM Interpreter" icon="microchip" href="/build/evm-compatibility/evm-interpreter">
    How Sophon's EVM Bytecode Interpreter works and enables EVM equivalence.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Detailed ZkVM vs EVM Differences" icon="binary" href="/build/evm-compatibility/differences">
    Specific differences between Sophon's zkVM and Ethereum EVM, including opcode and precompile differences.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Getting Started

If you're unfamiliar with developing or deploying on the ZK Stack, check out:

* [Start Building](/build/start-building)
* [Network Information](/build/network-information)
* [Mainnet Information](/build/mainnet)
* [Setting Up Paymasters](/build/setting-up-paymasters)
* [Your First Contract](https://docs.zksync.io/build/start-coding/quick-start/deploy-your-first-contract)

## Additional Resources

Below are some important resources to help you understand Sophon's EVM compatibility:

* [Hello ZKsync](https://docs.zksync.io/build/zksync-101/hello-zksync)

* [Getting Started: Hardhat](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-era/tooling/hardhat/guides/getting-started)

* [Paymaster](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-era/unique-features/paymaster)

* [EVM Bytecode Interpreter](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-era/unique-features/evm-interpreter/evm-interpreter)

* [zkEVM ↔ EVM Contract Interactions](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-protocol/evm-interpreter/era-evm-interactions)

* [EVM Bytecode Interpreter Documentation](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-era/unique-features/evm-interpreter/evm-interpreter)

* [zkEVM ↔ EVM Contract Interactions](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-protocol/evm-interpreter/era-evm-interactions)

* [EVM Bytecode Interpreter FAQ](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-era/unique-features/evm-interpreter/faq)