TON vs Monero

TON and Monero 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

TONMonero
Created byNikolai and Pavel DurovRiccardo Spagni
Native tokenTONXMR
Consensus algorithmPoSPoW
Hashing algorithmKECCAK-256randomx
Supports EVMNoNo
TPS10000001700
Block time (secs)5120
Layer11
Supports smart contractsYesNo
Average transaction fee$0.012375$0.001
Staking rewards (APR)6.85%%

Detailed Comparison

Network Performance and Scalability

TON and Monero show significant differences in their performance metrics:

  • Transaction Speed (TPS)
    • TON: 1,000,000 TPS
    • Monero: 1,700 TPS

TON's remarkable throughput of 1 million transactions per second makes it substantially more scalable than Monero. This massive difference means TON can handle enterprise-level adoption and high-frequency applications, while Monero's more modest TPS is focused on maintaining privacy rather than high throughput.

  • Block Time
    • TON: 5 seconds
    • Monero: 120 seconds

TON's faster block time of 5 seconds enables near-instant transaction finality, making it suitable for real-world payment applications. Monero's 2-minute block time is designed to maintain network security and privacy features rather than optimize for speed.

Technical Architecture

The fundamental technical approaches differ significantly:

  • Consensus Mechanism
    • TON: Proof of Stake (PoS)
    • Monero: Proof of Work (PoW)

TON's PoS mechanism offers better energy efficiency and allows token holders to earn staking rewards of 6.85%. Monero's PoW approach prioritizes security and decentralization through mining, though at the cost of higher energy consumption.

  • Smart Contract Capability
    • TON: Supports smart contracts
    • Monero: No smart contract support

TON's smart contract functionality enables a wider range of applications, including DeFi and NFTs. Monero intentionally excludes smart contracts to focus on its core mission of privacy and fungibility.

Transaction Costs and Economics

Both chains maintain different approaches to transaction fees:

  • Average Transaction Fee
    • TON: $0.012375
    • Monero: $0.001

Monero maintains lower transaction fees, making it more cost-effective for regular transfers. However, TON's fees remain competitive, especially considering its smart contract capabilities and higher throughput.

  • Maximum Supply
    • TON: Unlimited
    • Monero: Unlimited

Both chains have chosen not to implement a maximum supply cap, though their emission schedules and monetary policies differ significantly.

Privacy and Security

The chains take fundamentally different approaches to privacy:

  • Privacy Features
    • TON: Standard blockchain transparency
    • Monero: Built-in privacy features including:
      • Ring signatures
      • Stealth addresses
      • Confidential transactions

Monero is purpose-built for privacy, making all transactions private by default. TON operates with standard blockchain transparency, focusing instead on scalability and smart contract functionality.

Development and Community

Both projects have strong but different community foundations:

  • Origins
    • TON: Created by Nikolai and Pavel Durov (Telegram founders)
    • Monero: Created by Riccardo Spagni and team

TON benefits from its association with Telegram's massive user base and technical expertise. Monero's development is more community-driven, with a strong focus on grassroots adoption and privacy advocacy.

Use Cases and Applications

The chains serve different primary purposes:

TON:

  • High-performance applications
  • Smart contract deployment
  • DeFi applications
  • Integration with Telegram's ecosystem
  • Mass-market adoption focus

Monero:

  • Private transactions
  • Store of value
  • Anonymous payments
  • Privacy-focused applications
  • Fungible digital cash

Technical Implementation

The underlying technical approaches reflect their different goals:

  • Hashing Algorithms
    • TON: KECCAK-256
    • Monero: RandomX

Monero's RandomX algorithm is specifically designed to be ASIC-resistant, promoting decentralization through CPU mining. TON's KECCAK-256 is chosen for its efficiency and security in a PoS context.

Network Accessibility

Both chains offer different levels of integration and accessibility:

  • EVM Compatibility
    • TON: Non-EVM
    • Monero: Non-EVM

Neither chain is EVM-compatible, but for different reasons. TON has its own smart contract system optimized for its architecture, while Monero intentionally excludes smart contract functionality to maintain simplicity and focus on privacy.

Future Outlook

The development trajectories of both chains reflect their core missions:

TON focuses on:

  • Scaling solutions
  • Integration with messaging platforms
  • Smart contract ecosystem growth
  • Mass adoption strategies

Monero emphasizes:

  • Privacy enhancements
  • Decentralization improvements
  • ASIC resistance
  • Fungibility preservation

Both chains continue to evolve in their respective niches, with TON pushing the boundaries of scalability and integration, while Monero remains dedicated to becoming the leading private digital currency.

FAQs

Is TON faster than Monero?

Yes, TON can process 1000000 transactions per second. Monero only processes up to 1700.

Is TON cheaper than Monero?

Yes, TON has an average transaction fee of $0.012375, whereas Monero costs $0.001.