Introduction
ORDAO represents a novel innovation in onchain governance that can be challenging to understand at first, especially because there's nothing quite like it in the Web3 ecosystem. While it shares some surface-level similarities with popular voting tools like Snapshot, ORDAO is fundamentally a unique infrastructure and application designed specifically for fractal communities that need to execute onchain actions based on reputation-weighted consensus.
This article aims to help you understand ORDAO's benefits and capabilities by comparing it with Snapshot — not necessarily because they're the same type of tool, but because Snapshot provides a familiar frame of reference that most people in the DAO space already understand. By examining both platforms side by side, you'll gain clarity on when to use each tool, how they might work together, and what makes ORDAO particularly powerful for communities implementing fractal democracy.
Understanding the distinctions and synergies between these platforms is crucial for communities seeking to implement effective governance systems. Whether you're considering implementing ORDAO in your fractal community or simply want to understand this emerging governance technology better, this comparison will provide practical insights to guide your decisions.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Overview of ORDAO
- What is ORDAO?
- Key Features of ORDAO
- Overview of Snapshot
- What is Snapshot?
- Key Features of Snapshot
- Snapshot X: The Onchain Evolution
- Core Differences at a Glance
- Comparing Core Functionalities
- Voting Mechanisms
- Execution Capabilities
- Customization Philosophy
- Use Cases and Applications
- When to Use ORDAO
- When to Use Snapshot
- Using Both Together
- Implementation Considerations
- Getting Started with ORDAO
- Getting Started with Snapshot
- Future Outlook
- Conclusion
Overview of ORDAO
What is ORDAO?
ORDAO (Optimistic Reputation-based Decentralized Autonomous Organization) is a revolutionary governance system built around the Optimistic Respect-based Executive Contract (OREC). Unlike traditional voting platforms, ORDAO enables communities to execute any kind of onchain action with a high degree of decentralization while uniquely addressing problems like voter apathy and rational ignorance through its optimistic consent mechanism.
The system is specifically designed for fractal communities that use the Respect Game methodology, where community members evaluate each other's contributions to build a reputation-based voting system. This creates governance based on demonstrated contribution rather than capital accumulation, helping communities remain democratic as they scale.
Key Features of ORDAO
The ORDAO App: The newly developed ORDAO app provides an intuitive interface for all core governance functions. This well-designed application makes it easy for community members to submit Respect Game results, create proposals, vote on decisions, and monitor execution—all without needing technical expertise. While the ORConsole remains available for developers and advanced users who want to access cutting-edge features or build new functionalities on top of ORDAO, most users will find everything they need in the main app.
Optimistic Consent-Based Governance: ORDAO's innovative approach assumes proposals will pass unless actively opposed. This dramatically reduces the burden on community members for routine decisions while maintaining robust safeguards against controversial actions.
Respect Game Integration: Deep integration with the Respect Game creates a merit-based distribution of voting power. Community members earn Respect through peer evaluation of their contributions, with tokens distributed according to the Fibonacci sequence for balanced reward structures.
Automated Onchain Execution: When proposals pass, smart contracts automatically execute the approved actions without requiring manual intervention or trusted intermediaries. This ensures governance decisions translate directly into onchain actions.
Customizable Parameters: Communities can adjust voting periods, quorum requirements, and execution delays to match their specific needs while maintaining the core benefits of optimistic consent.
Developer-Friendly Infrastructure: ORDAO is designed as a platform for innovation, with open-source contracts and comprehensive documentation enabling developers to build additional tools and features on top of the core protocol.
For comprehensive information about ORDAO, including video tutorials, documentation, and ways to get involved, visit optimystics.io/ordao. You can also watch the videos below and explore the ORDAO video playlist to learn more.
Overview of Snapshot
What is Snapshot?
Snapshot is the most widely-adopted voting platform in Web3, serving 96% of DAOs with over 500,000 monthly active users. It revolutionized DAO governance by enabling gasless voting through cryptographically signed messages, making it accessible to communities of all sizes.
The platform's name comes from its fundamental feature: voting power is calculated at a specific "snapshot" in time (when a proposal is created), preventing manipulation through token transfers after proposals are submitted.
Key Features of Snapshot
Gasless Voting: Users can create proposals and cast votes without paying gas fees, dramatically lowering barriers to participation.
Multiple Voting Types: Snapshot offers various voting mechanisms including single choice, approval voting, quadratic voting, weighted voting, and ranked choice voting, allowing communities to choose the most appropriate method for each decision.
Extensive Voting Strategies: With over 427 available strategies, communities can customize how voting power is calculated based on token holdings, NFT ownership, protocol participation, or complex combinations.
Custom Branding: Spaces can implement their own branding, color schemes, and domain names for a cohesive governance experience.
Plugin Ecosystem: Various plugins extend functionality, including SafeSnap for onchain execution and integrations with other Web3 tools.
Snapshot X: The Onchain Evolution
Snapshot Labs recently launched Snapshot X, a fully onchain voting protocol on Starknet that brings voting onchain while maintaining cost-effectiveness (10-50x cheaper than L1). This addresses Snapshot's traditional limitation as an offchain signaling tool, though it represents a newer addition rather than Snapshot's core design.
Core Differences at a Glance
Before diving into detailed comparisons, here are the fundamental differences:
Purpose:
- ORDAO: Built for executing onchain actions based on reputation-weighted consensus
- Snapshot: Designed for flexible community polling and sentiment gathering
Execution:
- ORDAO: Native automated onchain execution of passed proposals
- Snapshot: Primarily signaling; requires separate tools or manual execution
Voting Power:
- ORDAO: Based on earned Respect through peer evaluation
- Snapshot: Highly customizable; typically based on token holdings
Governance Model:
- ORDAO: Optimistic consent (proposals pass unless opposed)
- Snapshot: Traditional voting (proposals need active support)
Target Users:
- ORDAO: Fractal communities using Respect Games
- Snapshot: Any DAO or community needing voting infrastructure
Comparing Core Functionalities
Voting Mechanisms
ORDAO uses weighted voting with an optimistic consent model specifically designed for executing decisions rather than just polling opinions. The optimistic quorum system means proposals can pass efficiently unless they meet significant opposition, perfect for communities that need to move quickly on operational decisions.
Snapshot excels in voting flexibility with multiple types for different scenarios—from simple yes/no votes to complex ranked choice or quadratic voting. This variety makes it ideal for gathering nuanced community input on multi-faceted decisions.
Execution Capabilities
ORDAO features native onchain execution as its core strength. Approved proposals automatically execute through smart contracts, whether distributing tokens, adjusting parameters, or managing treasury funds—no additional steps required.
Snapshot traditionally operates as an offchain signaling tool where passed proposals require separate execution. While it can integrate with tools like SafeSnap, and Snapshot X adds onchain capabilities, execution isn't its primary focus.
Customization Philosophy
ORDAO provides focused customization through parameter adjustment (voting periods, quorum requirements, execution delays) optimized for fractal communities. This focused approach ensures consistency and reduces complexity.
Snapshot offers extensive customization with hundreds of voting strategies and types. While this flexibility is powerful, it can also introduce complexity in deciding which options to use.
Use Cases and Applications
When to Use ORDAO
Fractal Community Operations: Purpose-built for communities using the Respect Game, ORDAO streamlines the entire process from peer evaluation to token distribution to onchain execution.
Automated Treasury Management: Communities needing frequent onchain transactions benefit from ORDAO's native execution—routine operations become efficient while maintaining security for significant decisions.
Reputation-Based Governance: When voting power should reflect actual contribution rather than token holdings, ORDAO's Respect Game integration creates true meritocracy.
When to Use Snapshot
Community Temperature Checks: Snapshot's gasless nature and flexibility make it perfect for gathering broad community sentiment without requiring onchain commitment.
Complex Voting Scenarios: When decisions need sophisticated mechanisms like ranked preferences or approval voting for multiple options.
Legislative Processes: For formal governance proposals requiring structured discussion and clear documentation, Snapshot provides a comprehensive platform.
Using Both Together
Many communities find value in using both platforms for different governance aspects. For example:
- Snapshot for legislative processes (policy discussions, constitutional amendments)
- ORDAO for executive functions (implementing decisions, distributing rewards)
This separation creates robust governance with appropriate tools for each function, like how Optimism Fractal uses Snapshot for Council governance and Cagendas while using ORDAO for Respect Games and onchain execution.
Implementation Considerations
Getting Started with ORDAO
The ORDAO app makes implementation straightforward for fractal communities. Communities already running Respect Games can quickly integrate ORDAO for result submission and token distribution. The optimistic consent model means you can start with conservative parameters and adjust as your community becomes comfortable with the system.
Developers interested in building on ORDAO can access the ORConsole for advanced features and the open-source contracts for creating custom integrations. The platform is designed to be extended, encouraging innovation in governance tools.
Getting Started with Snapshot
Snapshot's low barrier to entry—requiring only an ENS domain—makes it accessible for any community. The extensive documentation and large user base mean plenty of resources and examples are available. However, communities should carefully consider which voting strategies and types to use to avoid overwhelming participants with options.
Future Outlook
ORDAO continues evolving with enhanced features in development, including expanded governance capabilities in the app and improved cross-chain functionality. As more communities adopt ORDAO, we're seeing innovative uses of the reputation-based model that extend beyond traditional governance. Snapshot's evolution through Snapshot X brings onchain capabilities while maintaining its strengths in flexibility and accessibility. The platform's massive adoption ensures continued development and innovation.
Both platforms are actively developed and improving, with the potential for increased interoperability and complementary features that benefit the entire DAO ecosystem.
Conclusion
ORDAO and Snapshot serve different but complementary roles in the decentralized governance ecosystem. ORDAO excels at reputation-based governance with native onchain execution, making it ideal for fractal communities and operational governance. Snapshot provides unmatched flexibility in voting mechanisms and broad accessibility, making it perfect for community polling and complex decision-making processes.
The choice between platforms—or the decision to use both—depends on your community's specific needs, governance philosophy, and technical requirements. Communities focused on reputation-based governance and automated execution will find ORDAO's specialized features invaluable. Those requiring flexible voting mechanisms and broad participation will appreciate Snapshot's extensive customization options.
As both platforms continue to evolve, the distinction between them may blur, with each adopting features that address their current limitations. However, their fundamental philosophies—ORDAO's focus on execution and reputation, Snapshot's emphasis on flexibility and accessibility—will likely continue to differentiate them and provide communities with powerful options for implementing effective governance.
The future of decentralized governance lies not in choosing one perfect tool, but in understanding the strengths of available platforms and combining them effectively to create governance systems that are both efficient and democratic. Whether used independently or in combination, ORDAO and Snapshot provide the building blocks for this future.
To get started with either platform, we encourage you to explore the educational resources listed above, join community events to see the tools in action, and connect with experienced users who can share practical insights. The journey toward effective decentralized governance is best traveled with a community of fellow builders and learners.
For more detailed understanding, visit optimystics.io/ordao.