On-chain vs. Lightning Network payments

On-chain Bitcoin payments refer to transactions that are recorded directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. These transactions are highly secure and irreversible once confirmed, but they can take 10 minutes or more to be finalized, depending on network conditions.

Lightning Network payments occur off-chain using a system of payment channels built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. These transactions are settled almost instantly and typically involve very low fees, making them ideal for fast, low-cost, and frequent payments.