Side-by-side comparison
Stellar vs
Polygon
A practical, data-led comparison of how these two networks differ in architecture, throughput, execution, and cost. The numbers are a starting point; the right choice depends on the workload you need to run.
Stellar · XLM
Polygon · POL- Updated July 2026
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Quick comparison
Pick the metric that matters to you
These figures compare the networks. They are not investment or performance advice.
Key metrics
The numbers at a glance
Values are useful for orientation; they do not measure live network performance.
Architecture and execution
Stellar is a Layer 1 network and uses a non-EVM execution environment. Polygon is a Layer2 network and is EVM-compatible.
Their consensus mechanisms also differ: Stellar uses SCP, while Polygon uses PoS. That distinction describes how each network is designed; it is not a standalone quality score.
Capacity and confirmation cadence
Polygon has the higher transaction capacity: 7,000 TPS.
Polygon has the shorter block time: 2s.
Transaction capacity and block time do not predict observed throughput, finality, or application-specific performance. Evaluate the workload, settlement requirements, and tooling before drawing a conclusion.
Costs and participation
Stellar has the lower average transaction fee: $0.00.
Stellar has no staking rate available. Polygon has a 4.78% staking rate.
Fees and reward rates can change with network conditions and policy. They are not live pricing or a return forecast.
Choose for the workload
- Start with compatibility. Stellar is not EVM-compatible, while Polygon is. If your tooling already assumes the EVM, that constraint can matter more than a headline capacity figure.
- Match the workload. Compare the metrics that matter to the application: capacity, block time, and transaction fee. A lower fee is useful only if the network can serve your users reliably.
- Check the conditions. Review each network’s documentation, security model, ecosystem, and current operating conditions before deploying capital or production software. The figures are not a promise.
Bottom line: choose the network whose trade-offs fit the job and whose risks you can explain plainly. A comparison is useful when it narrows a decision—not when it manufactures a winner.
FAQ
Common questions
Which network has the higher TPS?
Polygon has the higher transaction capacity: 7,000 TPS.
Which network has the lower average transaction fee?
Stellar has the lower average transaction fee.