12 best cryptos to mine in April 2025

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With so many different cryptos available that you can mine, it’s never been more important to pick the best ones. Choose wisely and you can make big returns on your money.

We’ve picked out the 12 best cryptos to mine right now to help you make the best investment decisions. Compare the best mining coins in this beginner friendly guide to cryptocurrency mining.

Top 12 mining coins to buy now

1. Ethereum. Best mining crypto for GPU mining
2. Monero. Best for CPU mining
3. Bitcoin. Best for ASIC mining
4. Ravencoin. Best crypto to mine as a hobby
5. Conflux. Best mining cryptocurrency for scalable GPU mining
6. Litecoin. Best for Scrypt ASIC mining
7. Dogecoin. Best mining crypto for casual mining
8. Dash. Most efficient mining cryptocurrency
9. Zcash. Best cryptocurrency for private mining
10. Horizen. Best for GPU mining with zk-SNARKs
11. Vertcoin. Easiest crypto to mine
12. Groestlcoin. Best mining crypto for desktop computers

Summary of the best crypto mining coins

How to buy the best mining coins

You can buy the best mining coins through a crypto exchange or trading platform. These three exchanges are most highly rated by our experts.

4.6

eToro

Min. Deposit $100

Fees 1%

No. assets 3600+

Demo account Yes

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4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

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4.2

Coinbase

Min. Deposit $10

Fees Up to 0.6%

No. assets 150+

Demo account No

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What is cryptocurrency mining?

Cryptocurrency mining is the process of verifying and adding new transactions to the blockchain ledger. Mining is completed by miners who use powerful computers to solve complex mathematical problems that validate blocks of transactions. When a crypto transaction is initiated, it is grouped with other transactions into a block.

Lots of crypto miners then compete against each other, and the first to solve the maths problem validates the block. The block is then added to the last verified block via a chain, creating a blockchain. Miners are incentivised through rewards, and when a new block is validated, the miner is rewarded with transaction fees from that block plus a set amount of newly minted cryptocurrency. 

There are a range of ways to get started with crypto mining. The best crypto to mine depends on many variables, such as your hardware, electricity costs, and other factors. You can mine crypto using your home computer’s CPU. Some of the easiest crypto to mine are coins like Monero, Dogecoin, and Litecoin. 

To mine crypto, you will require some technical know-how and software like Bitcoin mining software. For beginners, starting small or joining a mining pool that lets you combine resources with other miners and receive regular payouts is recommended. There are also cloud mining services that let you get started without the need to purchase expensive hardware.

How to find the best cryptocurrency to mine

Finding the best cryptocurrencies to mine involves considering several factors, including profitability, network stability, hardware requirements, and future potential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify promising cryptocurrencies for mining:

• Research cryptocurrencies. Start by researching some of the best cryptocurrencies to mine and their consensus algorithms. Some popular algorithms include Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS), and Proof of Authority (PoA). Different algorithms require different hardware and have varying levels of mining profitability.
• Check mining hardware. Depending on the consensus algorithm, you’ll need specific hardware to mine efficiently. For PoW, you’ll need ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) or powerful GPUs. Make sure the hardware is readily available, affordable, and suited for the algorithm.
• Evaluate profitability. Look for online mining profitability calculators. These tools factor in the current price of the cryptocurrency, mining difficulty, electricity costs, and your hardware’s hash rate. Keep in mind that profitability of the best crypto to mine can change rapidly due to market volatility and network adjustments.
• Network difficulty. The higher a network’s difficulty, the harder it is to mine a block. A cryptocurrency with a lower network difficulty might be more profitable to mine, especially if you have limited hardware resources.
• Regulatory considerations. Be aware of the regulatory environment in your country. Some cryptocurrencies might face legal or regulatory challenges that could impact their mining and use.
• Network security. A cryptocurrency with a higher market cap and mining network security is generally safer from 51% attacks. These attacks occur when a miner or mining pool gains control of over 50% of a network’s hashing power, which can compromise the network’s integrity. The best mining coins are the ones with protection against these types of attacks.
• Diversification. Consider diversifying your mining efforts to reduce risk. Mining more than one of the best mining cryptocurrencies can help you adapt to changing market conditions.
• Energy efficiency. If you’re environmentally conscious, consider mining coins that are more energy-efficient. Some PoS-based cryptocurrencies consume significantly less energy than traditional PoW coins.

The different types of crypto mining coins

It’s important to understand the details of mining and how it works in order to find the best coins to mine. Each coin is different it’s possible to mine in various different ways, depending on the hardware or software required. Here’s a quick look at each mining option. 

GPU Mining 

GPU cryptocurrency mining is when miners use the graphics processing unit of a gaming computer to mine coins. GPUs have the power and are a popular choice for solving the calculations in crypto mining. The best coin to mine using this method is Ethereum. 

GPU crypto mining can be started with a desktop computer, but you need a powerful chip such as the Nvidia RTX or AMD Radeon RX. You also need to install mining software, or join a pool to maximise profits. One thing to note with GPU mining is the amount of electricity it uses, which needs to be factored into costs

CPU Mining

CPU stands for central processing unit and this type of mining is not as effective as using GPUs. With CPU mining, you use your computer’s central processing unit to run complex algorithms with the aim of solving problems and receiving block rewards. 

To get started with CPU crypto mining you just need to download a miner program and get a compatible wallet. One of the benefits of CPUs is you don’t need expensive hardware so you can keep costs down. 

ASIC Mining

For serious miners, ASIC mining is the best option. Application Specific Integrated Circut (ASIC) miners are specially designed machines built for the sole purpose of mining cryptocurrency. ASICs are much more capable than GPUs and CPUs due to their optimised chip designs. 

With such power comes cost; using this method to mine crypto will require a large upfront investment. Setting up an ASIC mining rig also requires more technical skill and you’ll need to consider things like fans or liquid cooling systems. The best coins to mine this way include Bitcoin, Litecoin and Dash.

What are the best crypto mining methods?

The best approach to mining depends on whether you want to cough up for a lot of expensive equipment or cut out the up-front cost in favour of slightly fewer returns later on. Here are the main ways to mine:

• Solo mining. As its name suggests, solo mining involves mining crypto coins independently, without joining a pool. Solo mining needs a lot of computer power to have any reasonable chance of solving blocks and earning rewards. It’s best suited to miners with high-end ASICs or GPUs. The benefits of solo mining are you’ll keep the full rewards, but it can take a very long time to validate a block.
• Pool mining. This is when lots of miners come together and contribute their computing resources to work collectively with others in the pool. A mining pool means block rewards are spread across other members, but you’ll have to pay a ‘pool fee’ which is usually around 1 – 2%. Crypto pool mining is a good option for small-scale miners using GPUs. 
• Cloud mining. Cloud mining is the best option for anyone wanting to mine coins without any physical hardware. It requires no technical know-how, although the costs are slightly higher compared to owning your own hardware. It’s the best option for cryptocurrency mining beginners as you can receive mining rewards directly minus costs and fees. 

Quick answers to key questions

Is mining crypto legal?

It depends on your location and the laws surrounding cryptocurrencies. In most countries, mining is perfectly legal. However, some places have banned crypto mining due to electricity usage concerns, so before getting started, check local laws and regulations. 

Is mining profitable?

Yes, crypto mining can be profitable; however, how much you make depends on various factors. Some of these include the mining equipment you use, electricity costs, a coin’s value, and mining difficulty. With the right conditions, GPU mining Ethereum, or ASIC mining Bitcoin, can be very lucrative. You can use a mining calculator to estimate potential profits. 

But it also depends on the coins you mine. Finding the best cryptocurrency to mine can be the difference between turning a profit and making a loss, so you always want to make sure you pick a popular coin.

How long does it take to mine crypto?

It can vary and will depend on whether you’re mining alone, or using a pool. For solo crypto miners, it can take months or even years to successfully mine just one block. When you join a mining pool, you’ll receive small amounts of crypto more frequently. With high-end, powerful computers, you can mine much faster. 

What is GPU mining?

It’s when you utilise graphics cards such as those from Nvidia to mine cryptocurrency. GPUs can effectively perform calculations that are required for mining a wide range of coins. You can use GPUs to mine Ethereum, among others. 

How many GPUs do I need for mining?

It is possible to start with just one GPU if you’re a hobby crypto miner. The more GPUs you use, the better your mining power will be. It is common to use between 6 – 8 GPUs for dedicated mining rigs. The more GPUs you run, the higher your electricity costs will be, so it’s important to use a mining calculator before starting. 

Can I mine crypto at home?

Yes, many crypto enthusiasts mine coins at home using their existing hardware or build small rigs with 1 – 2 GPUs. If you don’t want to use any hardware, you can mine crypto at home using a cloud-based service, which requires nothing more than an app. 

Do I need to use crypto mining software?

Yes, you cannot mine crypto without using software. Usually, the software will need to be tailored to your hardware. The software connects your hardware to the blockchain network and mining pool. You’ll also require a cryptocurrency wallet. 

What are the different kinds of cryptocurrency mining software?

There are lots of options available when it comes to mining software. GPU mining software like PhoenixMiner and Claymore are popular options, and programs like XMRig and CPuminer are good choices for CPU mining. 

What is the difference between mining and staking?

Both mining and staking help validate blockchain transactions. Mining creates new blocks while staking validates transactions. Staking also requires much less computing power but is generally more expensive, with larger upfront costs. 

Are there any alternatives to crypto mining?

Yes, there are several alternatives to crypto mining. You can stake coins in a wallet, invest in companies that operate large mining rigs, or run nodes. If you want to get involved in mining with very little effort, investing in a mining company such as Riot Blockchain or Argo Blockchain is the best option. 

What are the risks of mining cryptocurrencies?

There are several risks associated with cryptocurrency mining. Mining profitability can fluctuate depending on factors such as crypto prices, electricity costs, mining difficulty, and competition from other miners. There is no guarantee of making profits; you can easily lose money if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Due to the amount of power required, mining rigs can overheat and require proper cooling to function properly. Hardware failures can also lead to losses. There are also security risks and mining rigs are vulnerable to attacks and hacking, so it’s important to follow cybersecurity best practices. 

What are the fees for cryptocurrency mining

There are a number of fees you need to consider before mining cryptocurrencies. Electricity costs, pool fees, hardware expenses, and software purchases are a few of the main ones. Electricity is often the highest ongoing fee for mining. If you join a mining pool rather than solo mining, you’ll have to pay minor fees of around 1-2% of the pool’s earnings. 

Hardware costs like ASIC miners or GPUs can run into the thousands of dollars and you may need rig frames, cooling equipment, and mining software subscriptions. When combined, solo mining can become expensive. 

Is crypto mining right for me?

Crypto mining can be a rewarding and profitable experience, but you’ll require some technical know-how and equipment to get started. If you’re prepared to learn the basics of mining and comfortable working with computers, it may be a good option for you to consider. 

The best crypto to mine depends on the equipment you purchase. With an everyday CPU, you can mine more accessible coins like Monero and Litecoin. You would need a high-end GPU or ASIC miner to efficiently mine coins like Ethereum and Bitcoin for greater profits. It’s a good idea to evaluate the best crypto to mine right now based on profitability calculators. 

You can join a mining pool if you’re a beginner, where you can earn smaller rewards more consistently. Start with the best crypto for beginners like Monero to get comfortable. There are also options like cloud mining that require less technical expertise.

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