Solana and Ethereum are two of the most well-known blockchains in the world of cryptocurrency. They both power apps, games, and tools built on crypto, but they take very different approaches. So which one is better for you?
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down what makes Solana and Ethereum unique, how they compare, and how to decide which one fits your goals. Whether you’re new to crypto or brushing up on the basics, this guide will walk you through the key differences in plain English.
Key Takeaways
If you’re trying to understand how Solana and Ethereum compare, here are the top differences to know:
- Ethereum is widely trusted and secure, but it can be slower and has higher fees.
- Solana is faster and more affordable, though it has fewer validators and a newer ecosystem.
- Many people use both blockchains, depending on their goals and which apps they want to use.
What Is Solana?
If Ethereum is the veteran, Solana is the rising star of the crypto space. Launched in 2020, Solana set out to become the fastest blockchain in the world with the ability to handle up to 65,000 transactions per second.
Solana uses Proof of History (PoH), a unique system developed by its founder Anatoly Yakovenko, along with a delegated Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus. This combo boosts both speed and energy efficiency, making it ideal for real-time apps, trading, and payments.
Solana’s design allows it to run thousands of smart contracts in parallel, which helps support its growing ecosystem of NFTs, DeFi apps, and Web3 games.
Key Features of Solana:
- Ultra-fast speeds—up to 65,000 transactions per second
- Low transaction fees, averaging under $0.01
- Designed for scalability and high user activity
- Popular for NFTs, memecoins, gaming, and mobile apps
- Energy-efficient due to its hybrid PoH + PoS model
- A rapidly growing and vibrant developer community
Read our complete guide: What is Solana?
Like all technology, Solana isn’t perfect—but its combination of speed, scalability, and low cost makes it one of the most exciting platforms in crypto today.
What Is Ethereum?
Ethereum is the second-largest blockchain after Bitcoin. It launched in 2015 and was first proposed by programmer Vitalik Buterin.
Ethereum introduced smart contracts, allowing developers to build apps that run without middlemen. It’s an open-source blockchain that runs decentralized apps, NFTs, tokens, and more. Ethereum moved from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake in 2022, which made it far more energy efficient.
Key Features of Ethereum:
- Enables self-executing smart contracts
- Supports decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and DAOs
- Runs on Proof of Stake for better energy efficiency
- Backed by a large, active developer community
- Continuously upgrading with features like Layer 2 scaling
- Known for strong decentralization and security
Read our complete guide: What is Ethereum?
Solana vs Ethereum: Quick Comparison
|
Feature |
Ethereum |
Solana |
|
Launch Year |
2015 |
2020 |
|
Main Focus |
Security & decentralization |
Speed & low cost |
|
Transactions Per Second |
~30 |
Up to 65,000 |
|
Average Fees |
$1–$20+ |
<$0.01 |
|
Consensus |
Proof of Stake |
Proof of History + Proof of Stake |
|
Ecosystem |
Large & mature |
Fast-growing |
|
Common Use Cases |
DeFi, NFTs, DAOs |
NFTs, gaming, mobile apps |
|
Network Stability |
Strong |
Occasional outages |
Speed: Solana vs. Ethereum
If speed matters to you, Solana is the clear winner.
- Solana can process tens of thousands of transactions per second.
- Ethereum processes around 30 per second on its base layer.
- Ethereum is adding “Layer 2” solutions like rollups to boost its speed.
Solana’s fast speed makes it ideal for apps that need real-time interaction, like games and trading.
Solana Fees vs Ethereum Fees
Ethereum gas fees can be unpredictable. When the network is busy, fees can shoot up to $20 or more.
Solana keeps things simple. Most transactions cost less than one cent. This makes it a great option for everyday users, small transactions, and newcomers testing the waters.
Security & Decentralization
Ethereum has thousands of validators spread around the world. This helps make the network more secure and resistant to control.
Solana has fewer validators, which helps with speed, but it raises questions about decentralization.
If you care most about trust and long-term reliability, Ethereum has a stronger track record.
Ecosystems
Solana’s ecosystem is newer, but gaining traction quickly. Popular apps include:
- Magic Eden for NFTs: Magic Eden is a top NFT platform on Solana known for low fees and fast transactions. It’s become a favorite for creators and collectors who want an affordable alternative to Ethereum-based marketplaces.
- Jupiter for token swaps: Jupiter is a leading decentralized exchange aggregator on Solana. It finds the best token prices across different platforms so users can get the most for their trade.
- Pump.fun for memecoins: Pump.fun is a platform on Solana where new memecoins can be launched and traded easily. It gained major popularity in 2024-2025 for fun and fast-paced community coins.
- Games and tools with a mobile-first experience: Solana supports many mobile-friendly dApps and Web3 games. These apps are designed to run smoothly on smartphones with fast speeds and low costs.
Developers are flocking to Solana for its low fees and fast performance. The network’s ability to handle high traffic makes it ideal for building user-friendly crypto experiences.
Ethereum powers a massive number of apps, including:
- Uniswap for trading: Uniswap lets users trade tokens directly from their wallets without using a centralized exchange. It’s one of the most used DeFi platforms on Ethereum.
- OpenSea for NFTs: OpenSea is the biggest NFT marketplace where users can buy, sell, and mint digital collectibles. It runs on Ethereum and supports thousands of NFT collections.
- Aave and Compound for lending: These apps allow users to lend or borrow crypto without needing a bank. Users can earn interest or take out loans by locking up their crypto as collateral.
Real-World Use Cases
Solana’s Use Cases
Peer-to-Peer Payments
Solana’s speed and low fees make it great for sending money directly to friends or family. Transactions happen almost instantly.
NFT Collections
Solana is home to some of the most popular NFT projects. Its low fees make minting and trading NFTs affordable for creators and collectors.
Mobile-Friendly Crypto Apps and Games
Many developers are building fast, user-friendly apps on Solana for mobile use. These include games, wallets, and social platforms.
Memecoins
Solana has become a hotspot for viral memecoins like BONK and Dogwifhat (WIF), which have gained popularity for their community support and fast trading experience. Its low fees and fast speeds make Solana ideal for memecoin culture and experimentation.
Ethereum’s Use Cases
DeFi Lending and Borrowing
Ethereum is a leader in decentralized finance, with apps that let users lend and borrow crypto without banks. Platforms like Aave and Compound run on Ethereum.
Launching DAOs
DAOs, or decentralized autonomous organizations, use Ethereum to manage decisions and funds without a central authority. It’s a powerful tool for crypto communities and projects.
Stablecoins like USDC and DAI
Ethereum hosts top stablecoins such as USDC and DAI, which hold a steady value close to $1. They’re useful for saving, trading, and sending money.
NFT Marketplaces and Digital Art
Ethereum is home to some of the largest and most valuable NFT collections. OpenSea, one of the top NFT platforms, is built on Ethereum and supports thousands of creators and collectors.
Each blockchain serves different types of users depending on their needs and goals.
What’s Next for Each Blockchain?
Ethereum is working on becoming faster, cheaper to use, and easier to scale. One big change coming is called Proto-Danksharding. It’s expected in 2025 and will help lower Ethereum gas fees by adding a new way to store data, making Layer 2 networks work better.
Layer 2 networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base are already helping Ethereum grow. These systems let users make faster and cheaper transactions than on Ethereum’s main network, according to L2Beat.
Solana is focusing on making its network more stable. In the past, it had some outages during high traffic, but the Solana team is working to fix that.
A big update called Firedancer is coming. It’s a new system that will make Solana faster, more reliable, and less likely to go offline.
In early tests, Firedancer has shown it might support over 1 million transactions per second, according to Figment.io. That’s a huge step forward for speed and performance.
Both blockchains are improving fast. Big upgrades are on the way to help them handle more users and keep costs low.
Solana vs Ethereum as an Investment
When it comes to investing, both Solana and Ethereum offer different strengths and risks.
Solana as an Investment
Solana (SOL) is seen as a higher-risk, higher-reward opportunity. It has gained attention for its speed, low fees, and strong growth in the NFT and memecoin space. Solana had a market cap of around $60 billion as of April 2025, placing it firmly among the top cryptocurrencies on CoinMarketCap.
There has also been speculation about a potential Solana ETF following Ethereum’s approval. While no Solana ETF exists yet, Bloomberg analysts like Eric Balchunas have mentioned it as a candidate for future spot ETF applications.
Ethereum as an Investment
Ethereum (ETH) has a longer track record, a larger ecosystem, and stronger institutional trust. It is often considered a “blue chip” crypto and is widely held by long-term investors. As of April 2025, Ethereum has a market cap of over $200 billion, making it the second-largest crypto asset after Bitcoin, according to CoinMarketCap.
Ethereum is also the second cryptocurrency to receive regulatory approval for spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in the U.S. In May 2024, the SEC approved multiple Ethereum spot ETFs, allowing investors to gain exposure through traditional brokerage accounts. This move has increased ETH’s appeal among institutional and retail investors.
If you’re new to crypto, Ethereum might feel safer due to its history and regulatory milestones. If you’re looking to explore newer ecosystems and catch early trends, Solana may appeal to you.
As always, do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Which One Should You Choose?
RockItCoin doesn’t give financial advice, so here’s an unbiased look at each cryptocurrency based on the features you might be looking for.
Choose Solana if you want:
- Fast transactions: Solana is built for speed, with the ability to process up to 65,000 transactions per second. This means transfers and interactions happen in real time.
- Tiny fees: Most transactions on Solana cost less than a penny. That makes it easy to experiment or move small amounts without worrying about high costs.
- A fun, mobile-friendly crypto experience: Many apps on Solana are designed with mobile users in mind. It’s ideal for games, wallets, and social tools that work well on the go.
Choose Ethereum if you value:
- Strong decentralization: Ethereum has thousands of validators around the world. This makes the network more secure and resistant to control.
- Long-term security: With a longer track record and constant upgrades, Ethereum is trusted by developers, investors, and major companies. It’s considered a safer bet for large-scale projects.
- Access to the largest DeFi and NFT markets: Ethereum powers some of the most popular platforms for trading, lending, and NFTs. If you’re looking to dive deep into crypto, Ethereum has the most options.
You don’t have to pick one forever. Many crypto users choose both to get the best of both worlds!
How to Buy Solana or Ethereum
How to Buy Solana with RockItCoin
You can buy Solana on our Buy with Card page through our trusted partner MoonPay and get it delivered to your wallet in seconds.
If you’d also like your own Solana wallet, you can download the RockItCoin app to buy and store Solana in the same place.
How to Buy Ethereum with RockItCoin
You can buy Ethereum using RockItCoin ATMs, the RockItCoin website, or the RockItCoin App.
RockItCoin ATMs are an easy-to-use way to buy Ethereum using cash in just minutes. You can find a RockItCoin ATM near you on our locations page.
If you prefer to buy Ethereum online using a credit or debit card, visit our Buy with Card page or download the RockItCoin app. It’s a super quick & easy option to get Ethereum in just a few taps.
Want the simplest way to begin? Download the RockItCoin app and get started in minutes.
Conclusion
Solana and Ethereum both play major roles in the future of crypto.
Solana is all about speed and low fees. Ethereum is known for trust, decentralization, and a massive ecosystem.
No matter which you prefer, the most important step is to start learning and exploring. With the right tools and knowledge, anyone can get started with crypto today.
Use the RockItCoin app, website, or a nearby ATM to get started with Ethereum or Solana. It’s a fast, beginner-friendly way to enter the world of crypto today!
FAQs
The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and prices can fluctuate significantly. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
RockItCoin does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and is not responsible for any loss arising from the use of this content.
