Stellar vs Aptos

Stellar and Aptos 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

StellarAptos
Created byJed McCalebAvery Ching
Native tokenXLMAPT
Consensus algorithmPoSPoS
Hashing algorithmSCPKECCAK-256
Supports EVMNoYes
TPS200160000
Block time (secs)54
Layer11
Supports smart contractsYesYes
Average transaction fee$8.5e-9$0.0000012
Staking rewards (APR)1%7%

Detailed Comparison

Network Performance and Scalability

When examining Stellar and Aptos, there's a significant difference in their transaction processing capabilities:

  • Stellar: 200 TPS
  • Aptos: 160,000 TPS

Aptos demonstrates remarkably higher throughput, processing up to 800 times more transactions per second than Stellar. This massive difference in TPS makes Aptos more suitable for high-volume applications and mass adoption scenarios. However, it's worth noting that Stellar's 200 TPS is still sufficient for many real-world payment applications.

Block times are comparable between the two networks:

  • Stellar: 5 seconds
  • Aptos: 4 seconds

Both chains offer quick transaction finality, with Aptos having a slight edge. The one-second difference is minimal in practical applications, and both networks provide fast confirmation times suitable for most use cases.

Technical Architecture

Both blockchains share some common features while differing in others:

  • Layer: Both are Layer 1 solutions
  • Smart Contracts: Both support smart contract functionality
  • EVM Compatibility: Only Aptos is EVM compatible

Aptos's EVM compatibility gives it a significant advantage in terms of developer accessibility and ecosystem integration. This allows existing Ethereum developers to more easily port their applications to Aptos, potentially leading to faster ecosystem growth.

Consensus and Security

Both networks utilize Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus, but with different implementations:

  • Stellar uses SCP (Stellar Consensus Protocol)
  • Aptos employs KECCAK-256 hashing

The staking rewards also differ significantly:

  • Stellar: 1% rewards
  • Aptos: 7% rewards

Aptos offers more attractive staking rewards, which could lead to higher network participation and better security through increased stake distribution.

Economic Model and Fees

Transaction fees show interesting contrasts:

  • Stellar: 0.0000000085 XLM
  • Aptos: 0.0000012 APT

While both chains maintain very low transaction fees, Stellar's fees are notably lower. This makes Stellar particularly attractive for micro-transactions and payment-focused applications.

Neither blockchain has a maximum supply cap, indicating both use an inflationary model. This can provide ongoing funding for network security through staking rewards while potentially impacting long-term token value.

Use Cases and Applications

The networks have different primary focus areas:

Stellar:

  • Specialized in cross-border payments
  • Focus on financial inclusion
  • Strong emphasis on currency exchange
  • Banking sector integration

Aptos:

  • General purpose blockchain
  • DeFi applications
  • High-performance computing
  • Enterprise solutions

Development and Community

Both projects maintain active development communities:

Stellar:

  • Founded by Jed McCaleb (co-founder of Ripple)
  • Established presence since 2014
  • Strong documentation and development resources
  • Extensive partnership network

Aptos:

  • Created by Avery Ching
  • Newer to the market
  • Modern codebase
  • Growing developer ecosystem

Social Presence and Documentation

Both chains maintain strong online presence:

  • Active GitHub repositories
  • Regular Medium updates
  • Strong Twitter following

However, Stellar has additional advantages:

  • Wikipedia presence: Provides additional credibility and information accessibility
  • Longer track record: More established history in the crypto space
  • More comprehensive documentation: Due to longer existence and maturity

Future Potential and Adoption

Each blockchain positions itself differently for future growth:

Stellar:

  • Focused on becoming the standard for cross-border payments
  • Strong relationships with financial institutions
  • Emphasis on regulatory compliance
  • Clear use case in remittance markets

Aptos:

  • Targeting high-performance blockchain applications
  • Focus on scalability and technical innovation
  • Emphasis on developer tools and ecosystem growth
  • Potential for enterprise adoption due to high TPS

Both chains show promise in their respective domains, with Stellar's established presence in the financial sector complementing Aptos's technical capabilities and performance metrics. The choice between them largely depends on the specific use case requirements and whether the priority is established stability or cutting-edge performance.

FAQs

Is Stellar faster than Aptos?

No, Stellar only processes 200 transactions per second. Aptos processes up to 160000.

Is Stellar cheaper than Aptos?

No, Stellar has an average transaction fee of $8.5e-9, whereas Aptos costs $0.0000012.