TON vs Stellar

TON and Stellar 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

TONStellar
Created byNikolai and Pavel DurovJed McCaleb
Native tokenTONXLM
Consensus algorithmPoSPoS
Hashing algorithmKECCAK-256SCP
Supports EVMNoNo
TPS1000000200
Block time (secs)55
Layer11
Supports smart contractsYesYes
Average transaction fee$0.012375$8.5e-9
Staking rewards (APR)6.85%1%

Detailed Comparison

Network Performance and Scalability

TON and Stellar demonstrate significant differences in their performance capabilities:

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

TON's impressive throughput of 1 million transactions per second vastly outperforms Stellar's 200 TPS. This massive difference means TON can handle enterprise-level scaling needs and mass adoption scenarios much more effectively. For users, this translates to consistently fast transaction processing even during peak network usage.

  • Block Time
    • Both chains: 5 seconds

Both networks maintain a 5-second block time, providing relatively quick transaction finality. This identical block time ensures users on both networks experience similar confirmation speeds for their transactions, though TON can process many more transactions within each block.

Economic Model and Costs

The economic structures of these networks show interesting contrasts:

  • Transaction Fees
    • TON: $0.012375 average
    • Stellar: $0.0000000085 average

Stellar's remarkably low transaction fees make it extremely cost-effective for users, particularly for micro-transactions and frequent transfers. While TON's fees are still relatively low compared to many other blockchains, Stellar's near-zero transaction costs give it a significant advantage for payment-focused applications.

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

TON offers significantly higher staking rewards, providing better passive income opportunities for token holders. This higher yield could attract more long-term holders and contribute to network security through increased staking participation.

Technical Architecture

Both networks share some fundamental characteristics while differing in others:

  • Layer Type: Both are Layer 1 solutions
  • Smart Contracts: Both support smart contracts
  • EVM Compatibility: Neither is EVM compatible

The technical foundations reveal:

  • Hashing Algorithms
    • TON: KECCAK-256
    • Stellar: SCP (Stellar Consensus Protocol)

TON uses the widely-adopted KECCAK-256 hashing algorithm, while Stellar employs its proprietary SCP. This difference reflects their distinct approaches to security and consensus.

Network Purpose and Use Cases

The networks serve different primary purposes:

TON focuses on:

  • Media industry solutions
  • Content rights protection
  • Digital product innovation
  • High-performance applications

Stellar emphasizes:

  • Cross-asset transfers
  • Currency bridges
  • International payments
  • Financial inclusion

Founding and Development

The networks have different origin stories:

  • TON

    • Created by Nikolai and Pavel Durov
    • Associated with Telegram messaging platform
    • Strong focus on scalability and performance
  • Stellar

    • Created by Jed McCaleb
    • Founded with financial inclusion goals
    • Emphasis on cross-border payments

Token Economics

Both networks share some token characteristics:

  • Maximum Supply
    • Neither has a maximum supply cap
    • Both implement different mechanisms for supply control

This unlimited supply model allows both networks to maintain long-term sustainability, though they manage their token economics differently:

  • TON focuses on high performance and utility within its ecosystem
  • Stellar emphasizes accessibility and minimal transaction costs

Community and Development Activity

Both networks maintain active development communities:

  • Social Presence
    • Both maintain active GitHub repositories
    • Both have strong Twitter followings
    • Stellar has additional Medium presence for community updates

The development approach differs:

  • TON emerged from the Telegram ecosystem, benefiting from its existing user base
  • Stellar developed its community through partnerships with financial institutions and focus on cross-border payments

Real-world Applications

The networks serve different primary use cases:

TON excels in:

  • High-throughput applications
  • Digital content distribution
  • Decentralized services
  • Mass-market applications

Stellar specializes in:

  • International remittances
  • Currency exchange
  • Financial services
  • Banking integration

These distinct focuses make each network more suitable for different types of projects and users, with TON targeting high-performance consumer applications and Stellar focusing on financial infrastructure and services.

FAQs

Is TON faster than Stellar?

Yes, TON can process 1000000 transactions per second. Stellar only processes up to 200.

Is TON cheaper than Stellar?

Yes, TON has an average transaction fee of $0.012375, whereas Stellar costs $8.5e-9.