Monero vs TON

Monero and TON are two popular blockchains. In this article we'll compare them across a variety of metrics. Both blockchains have their own strengths and weaknesses, and we'll explore them below.

Table of Contents

  1. Metrics
  2. Detailed Comparison
  3. FAQs

Metrics

MoneroTON
Created byRiccardo SpagniNikolai and Pavel Durov
Native tokenXMRTON
Consensus algorithmPoWPoS
Hashing algorithmrandomxKECCAK-256
Supports EVMNoNo
TPS17001000000
Block time (secs)1205
Layer11
Supports smart contractsNoYes
Average transaction fee$0.001$0.012375
Staking rewards (APR)0%6.85%

Detailed Comparison

Consensus and Security Models

Monero and TON implement fundamentally different consensus mechanisms that shape their security and performance characteristics:

  • Monero: Utilizes Proof-of-Work (PoW) with RandomX algorithm
  • TON: Employs Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus

Monero's PoW system requires significant computational power to secure the network, making it more energy-intensive but potentially more resistant to certain types of attacks. The RandomX algorithm is specifically designed to be ASIC-resistant, promoting decentralization by allowing regular CPUs to participate in mining effectively.

TON's PoS system, on the other hand, secures the network through staking of TON tokens, offering 6.85% staking rewards to participants. This approach is more energy-efficient and provides token holders with passive income opportunities, which Monero cannot offer due to its PoW nature.

Performance Metrics

The performance characteristics between these blockchains show significant differences:

  • Transaction Speed (TPS):

    • Monero: 1,700 TPS
    • TON: 1,000,000 TPS
  • Block Time:

    • Monero: 120 seconds
    • TON: 5 seconds

TON demonstrates substantially higher throughput capabilities, with a theoretical maximum of 1 million TPS, making it more suitable for high-frequency applications and mass adoption scenarios. The faster block time of 5 seconds also means quicker transaction finality compared to Monero's 2-minute blocks.

Transaction Costs

Both chains maintain relatively low transaction fees, though with different structures:

  • Monero: 0.001 XMR average fee
  • TON: 0.012375 TON average fee

Monero's fee structure is designed to be predictable and low-cost, supporting its use case as a privacy-focused digital currency. TON's slightly higher average fee is offset by its higher transaction speed and smart contract capabilities.

Technical Capabilities

The chains differ significantly in their technical features:

  • Smart Contracts:

    • Monero: No smart contract support
    • TON: Full smart contract functionality
  • EVM Compatibility:

    • Neither blockchain is EVM compatible

TON's support for smart contracts opens up a wider range of use cases, including DeFi applications, NFTs, and decentralized applications. Monero's focused approach without smart contracts aligns with its primary goal of being a private, fungible currency.

Supply Economics

Both blockchains have interesting approaches to token supply:

  • Both have no maximum supply cap
  • Monero features a tail emission to ensure ongoing mining incentives
  • TON's supply is governed by its staking mechanism and network usage

Development and Governance

The projects have different origins and development approaches:

  • Monero: Created by Riccardo Spagni, with a focus on community-driven development
  • TON: Developed by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, leveraging their experience from Telegram

Monero maintains a strong focus on decentralized development and community governance, while TON benefits from its association with the Telegram ecosystem and its founders' technical expertise.

Use Cases and Target Market

The blockchains serve distinctly different purposes:

  • Monero:

    • Primary focus on privacy and fungibility
    • Designed specifically for confidential transactions
    • Appeals to users prioritizing financial privacy
  • TON:

    • Built for scalability and mass adoption
    • Supports diverse applications through smart contracts
    • Targets mainstream users and developers

Network Architecture

The architectural choices reflect their different priorities:

  • Monero:

    • Built on CryptoNote protocol
    • Emphasizes privacy features
    • Layer 1 solution focused on transaction privacy
  • TON:

    • Modern blockchain architecture
    • Designed for scalability
    • Layer 1 solution with advanced sharding capabilities

The architectural differences highlight how each blockchain optimizes for its core objectives - Monero for privacy and TON for scalability and versatility.

Community and Ecosystem

Both projects maintain active development communities:

  • Monero:

    • Strong privacy-focused community
    • Active GitHub repository
    • Established presence in cryptocurrency space
  • TON:

    • Growing developer ecosystem
    • Strong connection to Telegram community
    • Newer but rapidly expanding network

The ecosystems reflect their different stages of maturity and target audiences, with Monero having a more established privacy-focused community and TON building a broader platform for various applications.

FAQs

Is Monero faster than TON?

No, Monero only processes 1700 transactions per second. TON processes up to 1000000.

Is Monero cheaper than TON?

No, Monero has an average transaction fee of $0.001, whereas TON costs $0.012375.