SNARKs, or Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge, are a type of zero-knowledge proof system similar to STARKs but with the added property of succinctness (their ability to produce compact, quick-to-verify proofs).

In contrast to STARKs, SNARKs operate based on cryptography that is not quantum-resistant and usually requires a trusted setup. Despite these aspects, they offer smaller proof sizes and quicker verification times than STARKs, making them preferable for applications where speed and space are important considerations.