$ETH
# **Ethereum vs. Solana: Key Differences**
Ethereum and Solana are two leading blockchain platforms, but they differ significantly in technology, speed, and scalability.
### **1. Consensus Mechanism**
Ethereum uses **Proof-of-Stake (PoS)** after its Merge upgrade, improving energy efficiency. Solana employs **Proof-of-History (PoH)** combined with PoS, enabling faster transaction processing.
### **2. Transaction Speed & Scalability**
Ethereum processes **15-30 transactions per second (TPS)**, while Solana boasts **50,000+ TPS** due to its high-throughput architecture. This makes Solana better for high-frequency applications like decentralized exchanges (DEXs).
### **3. Fees**
Ethereum’s gas fees can spike during congestion, making transactions expensive. Solana offers **low fees (fractions of a cent)**, appealing for micro-transactions.
### **4. Smart Contracts & Development**
Ethereum’s **Solidity** is the standard for smart contracts, with a vast developer community. Solana supports **Rust and C**, attracting performance-focused developers.
### **5. Decentralization & Security**
Ethereum is more decentralized, with thousands of validators, enhancing security. Solana has faced criticism for occasional network outages due to its high-speed design.
### **Conclusion**
Ethereum remains the leader in decentralization and ecosystem maturity, while Solana excels in speed and cost-efficiency. The choice depends on the use case—Ethereum for security-heavy applications and Solana for scalable, high-speed transactions.
