Stellar vs TON

Stellar 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

StellarTON
Created byJed McCalebNikolai and Pavel Durov
Native tokenXLMTON
Consensus algorithmPoSPoS
Hashing algorithmSCPKECCAK-256
Supports EVMNoNo
TPS2001000000
Block time (secs)55
Layer11
Supports smart contractsYesYes
Average transaction fee$8.5e-9$0.012375
Staking rewards (APR)1%6.85%

Detailed Comparison

Network Performance and Scalability

The performance characteristics between Stellar and TON show significant differences in their approach to blockchain scalability:

  • Transaction Speed (TPS)
    • Stellar: 200 TPS
    • TON: 1,000,000 TPS

TON's theoretical throughput is dramatically higher than Stellar's, offering 5000x more transaction processing capability. This massive difference in TPS makes TON more suitable for applications requiring high-frequency transactions or mass adoption scenarios. While Stellar's 200 TPS is sufficient for many financial applications, TON's infrastructure is better positioned for future scaling demands.

  • Block Time
    • Both chains: 5 seconds

Both networks maintain the same block time, demonstrating a shared commitment to rapid transaction finality. This five-second block time offers users quick confirmation of their transactions while maintaining network security.

Technical Architecture

Both blockchains share some fundamental characteristics while differing in key areas:

  • Layer Structure
    • Both are Layer 1 solutions
    • Both support smart contracts
    • Neither is EVM compatible

The non-EVM nature of both chains means developers need to learn specific programming languages and tools for each platform. This can increase the initial development overhead but allows each platform to optimize for its specific use cases.

Consensus and Security

The networks utilize different approaches to security while sharing some basic principles:

  • Consensus Mechanism
    • Both utilize Proof of Stake (PoS)
    • Stellar uses SCP (Stellar Consensus Protocol)
    • TON uses KECCAK-256 hashing

While both employ PoS, their implementations differ significantly. Stellar's SCP is designed specifically for financial operations, while TON's implementation focuses on high throughput and scalability.

Economic Model

The economic incentives and cost structures differ significantly:

  • Staking Rewards
    • Stellar: 1% APY
    • TON: 6.85% APY

TON offers significantly higher staking rewards, potentially attracting more validators and investors to participate in network security. This higher yield might lead to stronger decentralization through increased participation.

  • Transaction Fees
    • Stellar: 0.0000000085 USD
    • TON: 0.012375 USD

Stellar's extremely low transaction fees make it particularly suitable for micropayments and financial inclusion initiatives. TON's fees, while still relatively low, are notably higher but remain competitive within the broader blockchain ecosystem.

Development and Origins

The networks have distinct origins and development approaches:

  • Founders
    • Stellar: Created by Jed McCaleb, known for founding Mt. Gox and co-founding Ripple
    • TON: Created by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, founders of Telegram messenger

Stellar's creation by a veteran in the cryptocurrency space brings deep industry experience, while TON benefits from the Durov brothers' experience in building large-scale communication platforms.

Use Case Focus

The networks target different primary use cases:

  • Stellar

    • Focuses on cross-border payments
    • Emphasizes financial inclusion
    • Designed for institutional integration
  • TON

    • Emphasizes scalability for mass adoption
    • Focuses on media industry solutions
    • Aims to support next-generation digital products

Community and Documentation

Both networks maintain strong community presence but with different approaches:

  • Stellar

    • Comprehensive documentation
    • Active presence on multiple social platforms
    • Strong educational resources
    • Established Wikipedia presence
  • TON

    • Growing developer community
    • Strong GitHub presence
    • Limited formal documentation compared to Stellar
    • Emerging ecosystem

Future Potential

Both networks show promise in different areas:

  • Stellar's Strengths

    • Established financial partnerships
    • Proven track record in cross-border payments
    • Strong regulatory compliance focus
  • TON's Strengths

    • Superior scalability potential
    • Strong technical foundation
    • Connection to Telegram's user base

Supply Economics

Both networks have interesting approaches to token supply:

  • Maximum Supply
    • Neither blockchain has a maximum supply cap
    • Both implement different mechanisms for supply control
    • Different approaches to inflation and token distribution

The absence of a maximum supply in both networks allows for flexible monetary policy but requires careful management to maintain value proposition and prevent excessive inflation.

This comparison reveals two distinct approaches to blockchain technology. Stellar focuses on being a reliable, cost-effective platform for financial operations, while TON aims to be a high-performance network capable of supporting mass adoption of blockchain technology. Each has its strengths and optimal use cases, making them complementary rather than directly competitive in many aspects of the blockchain ecosystem.

FAQs

Is Stellar faster than TON?

No, Stellar only processes 200 transactions per second. TON processes up to 1000000.

Is Stellar cheaper than TON?

No, Stellar has an average transaction fee of $8.5e-9, whereas TON costs $0.012375.