Zora NFT Protocol Review 2025

What is Zora?

Zora is an open-source protocol and platform for creating, minting, and trading NFTs. Launched in 2020, it has positioned itself as a decentralized alternative to traditional NFT marketplaces, focusing on creator ownership and community governance.

Unlike closed platforms, Zora operates as an open protocol that anyone can build on. The code is open-source, the infrastructure is decentralized, and the platform is designed to prioritize creators and collectors over middlemen.

Zora emphasizes low platform fees (or no fees in some cases), open protocols, and tools for developers to build custom NFT applications on top of their infrastructure.

Key Features

Supported Blockchains

How to Create NFTs with Zora

1. Visit Zora.co or use Zora's open protocol
2. Connect your wallet (MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet)
3. Navigate to "Create" section
4. Upload your media file
5. Set NFT metadata (name, description, properties)
6. Choose blockchain network (Base recommended for low fees)
7. Set price (if selling immediately) or mint for free
8. Pay gas fees and mint your NFT
9. Your NFT is now available on Zora and tradeable everywhere

Strengths & Advantages

✅ Open Source & Transparent

Everything is open-source and auditable. You can verify the code, contribute improvements, or build your own applications on top of Zora's protocol.

✅ Low Platform Fees

Zora charges minimal fees compared to traditional marketplaces. This means more revenue for creators and lower costs for collectors.

✅ Protocol-First Architecture

Built as infrastructure that others can build on. Developers can create custom NFT applications, marketplaces, or tools using Zora's open protocol.

✅ Multi-Chain Support

Support for Ethereum, Base, and Optimism gives you flexibility. Base and Optimism offer low gas fees while maintaining Ethereum compatibility.

✅ Community Governance

Zora emphasizes community-driven development and governance. The protocol evolves based on community needs and input.

✅ Developer-Friendly

Comprehensive APIs, SDKs, and documentation make it easy for developers to integrate Zora into their applications or build custom NFT tools.

Limitations & Considerations

⚠️ Smaller Marketplace

Zora's marketplace is smaller than major platforms like OpenSea. While your NFTs are tradeable everywhere, Zora's native marketplace may have less traffic initially.

⚠️ Still Requires Gas Fees

Like most platforms, you need to pay blockchain gas fees to mint NFTs. While Base and Optimism have low fees, Ethereum can be expensive.

⚠️ More Developer-Focused

While creators can use Zora easily, the platform emphasizes protocol and developer tools. Some features may be more technical than pure no-code platforms.

⚠️ NFT-Focused Only

Zora is designed for NFTs, not fungible tokens (ERC-20). For cryptocurrency tokens, use Thirdweb or Moralis.

Best Use Cases for Zora

• Developers: Building custom NFT applications or marketplaces
• Creators Valuing Decentralization: Want open-source, transparent platforms
• Cost-Conscious Creators: Looking for lower platform fees
• Community Projects: Building on open protocols with community governance
• Base Ecosystem: Projects targeting Coinbase's Base network
• Technical Users: Comfortable with protocols and developer tools

Zora vs Competitors

Zora vs Mintable

Zora wins for: Open-source, lower fees, protocol-first approach, developer tools.
Mintable wins for: Built-in marketplace, gasless minting, user-friendly interface.

Choose Zora if: You value open protocols and lower fees.
Choose Mintable if: You want marketplace integration and gasless options.

Zora vs Manifold

Zora wins for: Protocol infrastructure, developer tools, open marketplace.
Manifold wins for: Custom contracts, creator studio, professional features.

Choose Zora if: You're building on an open protocol.
Choose Manifold if: You need professional creator studio tools.

Getting Started

1. Visit Zora.co
2. Connect your wallet
3. Explore the "Create" section
4. Start minting your NFTs
5. For developers: Review Zora's API documentation
6. Build custom applications using Zora's open protocol

Frequently Asked Questions