Proof of Work Algorithms: Compare Coins by Hashing Algo
Explore Proof of Work mining algorithms (SHA-256, Scrypt, RandomX, KawPow, and more). Compare mineable coins, network difficulty, hardware compatibility, and solo odds per algorithm.
Algorithm hubs
| Algorithm | Coins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Scrypt | 15 | AUR-Scrypt, Bells, Catcoin, DGB-Scrypt… |
| SHA-256 | 9 | Bitcoin, BitcoinCash, BitcoinII, DGB-SHA… |
| KawPow | 8 | Frencoin, Gaelium, Kerrigan-KawPow, Neoxa… |
| RandomX | 7 | Dagger, EPIC-RandomX, Etica (RandX), Monero… |
| Equihash | 4 | Kerrigan-Equihash, Komodo, Pirate, Zcash |
| NeoScrypt | 4 | 01coin, Halcyon, Orbitcoin, Phoenixcoin |
| EquihashZero | 3 | Kerrigan-EqZero, Ycash, Zclassic |
| Ethash | 3 | EthereumPoW, OctaSpace, QuarkChain |
| Zhash | 3 | BitcoinGold, BitcoinZ, Gemlink |
| CryptoNightGPU | 2 | Conceal, Ryo |
| Etchash | 2 | EthereumClassic, Etica (Etchash) |
| FiroPow | 2 | Firo, Kiirocoin |
| Hoohashv2 | 2 | Hoosat, PepePow |
| Lyra2REv2 | 2 | Monacoin, Verge-Lyra2REv2 |
| ProgPowZ | 2 | Nirmata, Zano |
| Sia | 2 | ScPrime, Sia |
| X11 | 2 | Dash, Kerrigan-X11 |
Single-coin algorithms
- Abelhash · Abelian
- AstroBWTv3 · Dero
- Autolykos · Ergo
- BeamHashIII · Beam
- Blake (2s) · Verge-Blake
- Blake3 · Alephium
- Blake3DCR · Decred
- Cuckaroo29 · Tari-Cuckaroo29
- Cuckatoo31 · MWC-CT31
- Cuckatoo32 · Grin-CT32
- CuckooCycle · Aeternity
- DynexSolve · Dynexcoin
- Eaglesong · Nervos
- EvrProgPow · Evrmore
- FishHash · IronFish
- GhostRider · Raptoreum
- Groestl · GroestlCoin
- Handshake · Handshake
- K12 · Aeon
- Kadena · Kadena
- Karlsenhashv2 · Karlsen
- KeryxHashH6 · Keryx
- LBRY · LBRY
- Mega-BTX · Bitcore
- MeowPow · MEWC-MeowPow
- Meraki · Telestai
- MoneroRandomX · Tari-Merged
- Myr-Groestl · Verge-Groestl
- NexaPow · Nexa
- Octopus · Conflux
- Odocrypt · DGB-Odocrypt
- Pearl · Pearl
- PoBW · Warthog
- ProgPow · EPIC-ProgPow
- QPoW · Quantus
- Qhash · Qubitcoin
- Qubit · DGB-Qubit
- SHA3x · Tari-SHA3x
- SHA512256d · Radiant
- Skein · DGB-Skein
- Skydoge · Skydoge
- TariRandomX · Tari-RandomX
- Verthash · Vertcoin
- VerusHash · Verus
- X16RT · Avian
- X17 · Verge-X17
- Xelishashv3 · Xelis
- Xhash · Parallax
- YescryptR32 · LuckyPepe
- kHeavyHash · Kaspa
- zkSNARK · Aleo
Frequently asked questions
What is a Proof of Work mining algorithm?
A Proof of Work mining algorithm (such as SHA-256, Scrypt, KawPow, or RandomX) defines the mathematical hash function that miners solve to secure the network. It dictates what hardware architecture (ASIC, GPU, or CPU) is required.
Can a single mining rig mine multiple coins on the same algorithm?
Yes. Any machine engineered for a specific algorithm can compute hashes for any blockchain using that algorithm. For example, an ASIC built for SHA-256 can mine Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, or DigiByte without physical modifications.
Which mining algorithm is the most profitable?
Mining profitability fluctuates continuously based on coin spot prices, network difficulty, and device electrical efficiency (H/W). BackPoW tracks live Cost of Production and revenue across all algorithm hubs so you can identify arbitrage opportunities.
Which Proof of Work algorithms are ASIC-resistant?
Algorithms like RandomX (CPU-mined for Monero and Zephyr), KawPow (GPU-mined for Ravencoin), and Autolykos (Ergo) are intentionally designed with memory-hard properties and rapid cache dependencies to remain decentralized and resist custom ASIC development.