Bitcoin Mining Calculator
Solo vs Pool Mining Estimator
Calculate your potential earnings based on your mining setup and electricity costs
Your Setup
Mining Comparison
Solo Mining
High Risk-
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Pool Mining
Low Risk-
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Mining Insights
Key Takeaways:
With your current setup, pool mining provides consistent daily income while solo mining requires hash rates above 200 PH/s for any realistic chance of finding a block.
For most individuals, pool mining is the practical choice given the low entry barrier and predictable returns.
Important Note
This calculator provides estimates based on current network conditions. Actual earnings may vary due to changes in Bitcoin price, network difficulty, and pool fees.
Back in 2009, mining Bitcoin was something you could do on a regular computer. You’d run the software, wait a few hours, and maybe-just maybe-you’d find a block. That’s how Satoshi Nakamoto and early adopters like Hal Finney did it. Today, that same idea feels like trying to win the lottery with one ticket while everyone else is buying thousands. Welcome to the reality of solo mining vs pool mining in 2025.
What Is Solo Mining?
Solo mining means you’re working alone. No team. No sharing. You connect your mining hardware directly to the Bitcoin blockchain, solve the cryptographic puzzle, and if you’re lucky, you get the entire block reward-currently 3.125 BTC plus transaction fees. That’s about $200,000 at $64,000 per BTC. Sounds amazing, right?Here’s the catch: you have to find the block first. And with Bitcoin’s network hash rate hitting 600 EH/s in late 2023, the odds are brutal. To have even a 50% chance of mining a block in one year, you need to control 0.6 EH/s-600,000 TH/s. That’s roughly 1,800 Antminer S19 Pros running nonstop. Most people don’t even own one.
For solo mining to make sense, you need serious infrastructure. You need multiple high-end ASICs, a dedicated data center or warehouse with industrial cooling, and a power contract that costs less than $0.06 per kWh. You also need to run a full Bitcoin node, which means syncing the entire blockchain (over 600 GB), keeping it updated 24/7, and ensuring zero downtime. One power outage? You lose your shot at that block.
And even then, it’s not guaranteed. There are documented cases of miners running 200 TH/s for over a year without finding a single block. That’s $15,000 in electricity burned with nothing to show for it. Only operators with over 1 EH/s-think Foundry USA or Bitfarms-can reliably mine solo. For everyone else, it’s a gamble with a near-zero chance of winning.
What Is Pool Mining?
Pool mining is the opposite. Instead of going it alone, you team up with hundreds or thousands of other miners. You all combine your hash power. When the group finds a block, the reward is split based on how much work each miner contributed. You don’t get the whole prize-but you get paid regularly.Most pools use models like PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares) or PPS (Pay Per Share). PPLNS rewards miners based on shares submitted over a recent window, which helps prevent cheating. PPS pays you immediately for every valid share, but the pool charges a higher fee to cover risk. Fees range from 0.5% to 3%. Slush Pool charges 2%, while F2Pool averages 1.5% due to its PPLNS structure.
Pool mining doesn’t require massive hardware. You can start with a single Antminer S19 (95 TH/s) or even a GPU for altcoins like Ravencoin. Setup is simple: sign up, get your worker credentials, plug them into your miner, and you’re done. Most pools have web dashboards that show your hashrate, estimated earnings, and payout history in real time.
With 100 TH/s, you won’t find a block on your own-but in a pool, you’ll earn around $12.50 per day after fees. That’s enough to cover your electricity and maybe even turn a small profit. For most people, that consistency is worth more than the fantasy of a big win.
Why Most Miners Choose Pool Mining
Let’s talk numbers. According to ASIC Marketplace’s 2023 study, a miner with 100 TH/s has a statistical chance of finding a Bitcoin block once every 5.7 years if mining solo. That’s not a typo. Five point seven years. Meanwhile, in a pool, that same hardware generates daily payouts.
Why does this matter? Cash flow. Electricity bills don’t wait. If you’re spending $100 a day on power, you need $100 a day in income. Solo mining can’t guarantee that. Pool mining can.
A 2023 survey by CryptoMinerBros found that 92% of miners with less than 10 PH/s eventually switched from solo to pool mining-not because they wanted to, but because they couldn’t afford to wait. One Reddit user, u/MiningNewbie87, put it simply: “Daily payouts help me cover my bills. I don’t have to gamble.”
Pool mining also has better support. Major pools like Slush Pool offer 24/7 live chat with average response times under 5 minutes. Solo miners? They’re stuck on forums like Bitcoin Stack Exchange, where answers take 18 hours-or never come.
And let’s not forget the 2014 Eligius pool outage. When the server went down, miners lost income for days. That’s scary-but it’s still less risky than waiting years for a single payout.
When Solo Mining Actually Makes Sense
Solo mining isn’t dead. It’s just reserved for the elite. If you’re running 1 EH/s or more, you’re in a different league. Foundry USA, which controls 13.5% of Bitcoin’s hash rate, mines solo. So do most of the top 10 mining companies. Why? Because they can afford to.
At that scale, the math flips. Instead of waiting years, you’re likely to find a block every few days. And when you do, you pocket the full 3.125 BTC-no sharing. That’s a $200,000 payday instead of $5,000 split among hundreds.
Some miners stick with solo mining for ideological reasons. They believe Bitcoin’s security depends on decentralized mining. Pool mining centralizes power in a few big operators. If one pool gets too big-like Antpool or F2Pool-it becomes a single point of failure. Solo miners argue that if everyone used pools, Bitcoin could be hijacked by a single entity.
But here’s the reality: even the biggest solo miners are still part of a larger ecosystem. The difference is, they’re not sharing their rewards. And that’s why they can afford the risk.
Hardware and Costs: What You Really Need
Let’s compare what you actually need to get started.
| Factor | Solo Mining | Pool Mining |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Hash Rate | 200+ PH/s for any realistic chance | 100 TH/s (entry-level) |
| Typical Hardware | 150+ Antminer S19 Pros or M60S units | 1-10 ASICs (e.g., S19, S21) |
| Setup Time | 8+ hours (node sync, config, cooling) | 15-30 minutes |
| Electricity Cost | $15,000+/month at 1 PH/s | $500-$2,000/month |
| Upfront Investment | $1.2M+ for 1 PH/s | $5,000-$50,000 |
| Expected Payout | Every few days to years (unpredictable) | Daily, consistent |
| Support | Forums only (18+ hour avg. response) | 24/7 live chat (avg. 4-5 min) |
The gap isn’t just about hardware. It’s about access. Pool mining lets you start with $5,000. Solo mining requires six figures-and a business plan. Most people don’t have that.
The Future of Mining: What’s Changing in 2025?
The 2024 Bitcoin halving cut block rewards in half-from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. That made solo mining even harder. GoMining estimates the break-even hash rate for solo mining jumped by 22% after the halving. What used to be borderline viable for 500 TH/s operators is now impossible.
But there’s hope on the horizon. Bitmain’s upcoming Antminer S25, expected in Q2 2024, delivers 400 TH/s at just 14 J/TH. That’s 30% more efficient than the S19. If prices drop and efficiency keeps improving, mid-sized operators (1-5 PH/s) might find solo mining feasible again.
Another wild card: transaction fees. Right now, they make up less than 5% of miner revenue. But if Bitcoin adoption spikes and block space gets crowded, fees could rise to 75% by 2030, according to CryptoNet Labs. That could make solo mining profitable again-even for smaller players.
For now, though, the trend is clear. CoinBureau predicts that by 2025, 92% of individual miners will be in pools. The math just doesn’t work anymore for small operators.
Final Decision: Who Should Mine Solo? Who Should Join a Pool?
If you’re asking this question, the answer is probably pool mining.
Here’s the quick guide:
- Choose pool mining if: You’re an individual miner, have under $50,000 to invest, want steady income, or don’t want to manage complex infrastructure.
- Choose solo mining if: You control over 1 EH/s, have access to cheap power, run a professional operation, and can handle months or years without a payout.
There’s no shame in joining a pool. Bitcoin was never meant to be mined by individuals with laptops. It was designed to be secured by distributed, professional operators. Pool mining lets you be part of that system without going bankrupt.
And if you ever do scale up to 1 EH/s or more? You can always switch to solo mining later. But starting there? You’re not a pioneer. You’re just gambling.
Is solo mining still worth it in 2025?
Solo mining is only worth it if you have over 1 EH/s of hash power, access to extremely cheap electricity (under $0.05/kWh), and can afford to go months without income. For 99% of people, the answer is no. The odds of finding a block are too low, and the upfront cost is too high.
How much can I earn mining Bitcoin in a pool?
With 100 TH/s, you can expect around $12-$15 per day after pool fees. At 1 PH/s, that jumps to $120-$150 daily. Earnings fluctuate with Bitcoin’s price and network difficulty, but pool payouts are consistent and predictable.
Do I need a full node for pool mining?
No. Pool mining only requires your ASIC to connect to the pool’s server using Stratum protocol. You don’t need to run a full Bitcoin node. That’s one of the biggest advantages-it’s simple.
Can I mine Ethereum with a pool?
No. Ethereum switched to proof-of-stake in 2022 and no longer uses mining. You can still mine other coins like Ravencoin, Monero, or Litecoin using GPU mining pools, but Bitcoin and most major coins now rely on ASICs and pool mining.
What’s the best pool for beginners?
Slush Pool is the oldest and most reliable, with excellent support and a 2% fee. F2Pool offers lower average fees (1.5%) using PPLNS and has strong uptime. Both are beginner-friendly with easy setup guides and real-time dashboards.
Can I switch from pool mining to solo mining later?
Yes. Many large mining operations start in pools to build capital and expertise, then transition to solo mining once they reach 1 EH/s or more. The hardware doesn’t change-just the configuration. You’ll need to set up a full node and direct your ASICs to the Bitcoin network instead of a pool server.
Next Steps
If you’re new to mining, start with a pool. Pick Slush Pool or F2Pool, buy a single Antminer S19, and plug it in. Track your earnings for 30 days. If you’re making a profit after electricity, you’re on the right path.
If you’re thinking about going solo, calculate your break-even point first. Use GoMining’s calculator. If you need more than 500 TH/s to have a shot at one block per year, you’re not ready. Save your money. Grow your operation. Come back in two years.
Bitcoin mining isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a business. And like any business, you need the right tools, the right scale, and the right expectations.
Jennifer Morton-Riggs
solo mining is just a fantasy for people who don’t understand probability. you’re not a pioneer, you’re just burning electricity and hoping for a miracle. pool mining pays your bills, solo mining pays your therapist.
and yes, i’ve seen people run 200 TH/s for 18 months and walk away with nothing. that’s not dedication, that’s financial suicide.
bitcoin wasn’t meant to be mined by individuals. it was meant to be secured by professionals. if you think you’re the exception, you’re wrong.
the fact that you’re even asking this question means you’re not ready. save your money. buy a coffee instead.
we’re not in 2009 anymore. the days of mining on a laptop are dead. the blockchain doesn’t care how much you believe in it.
if you want to be part of the network, join a pool. if you want to be part of the drama, keep soloing.
and no, your 100 TH/s rig isn’t ‘contributing to decentralization.’ it’s just using power that could’ve gone to a data center that actually pays rent.
the only thing more tragic than solo mining is someone bragging about it on reddit.
just say no. seriously.
your future self will thank you.
and if you’re still reading this, you’re probably the one who’s gonna try it anyway. good luck.
you’ll need it.
Kathy Alexander
the 92% statistic is misleading. it’s based on people who gave up, not on actual profitability. most solo miners never even tried-they just heard it was hard and quit before starting.
and why is everyone acting like pool mining is ‘safe’? pools can shut down, get hacked, or collude. you’re trusting strangers with your hash rate. that’s not security, that’s centralized risk.
the real question isn’t ‘can you mine solo?’ it’s ‘do you trust the system?’
Soham Kulkarni
in india, many small miners start with pool because electricity is expensive and hardware is hard to get. but we still dream of solo. not because we think we can win-but because we believe in bitcoin’s original spirit.
maybe one day, if we save enough, we’ll have 1 ph/s. until then, we mine in pools and learn.
it’s not about winning. it’s about being part of the journey.
Tejas Kansara
start with a pool. learn the ropes. track your power usage. calculate your break-even. then decide.
no one ever went broke by starting small.
Jenny Charland
so you’re telling me i need $1.2 million just to have a chance? lol. i’m not even rich enough to buy a new phone without financing. why am i reading this? 😂
preet kaur
in my village, we don’t have the money for asics. but we have patience. we watch the blockchain grow. we know that one day, the network will change. maybe fees will rise. maybe hardware will drop. maybe we’ll get lucky.
for now, we wait. and we learn.
bitcoin is not just about mining. it’s about belief.
and belief doesn’t need a 1 ph/s rig.
Gus Mitchener
the entire premise of solo mining as a rational choice is a fallacy rooted in misaligned incentives. the marginal utility of a block reward diminishes exponentially as hash rate increases, yet the cost of entry scales linearly with infrastructure.
pool mining internalizes the variance, externalizing risk to the operator-a classic case of risk transfer via economic coordination.
the ideological argument for decentralization ignores that even solo miners are dependent on pool infrastructure for mempool propagation, block validation, and node synchronization.
the real decentralization is in the number of independent nodes-not the number of miners.
and yet, we fetishize the miner as the hero. the miner is not the guardian. the node is.
Jody Veitch
american miners are being manipulated by corporate pools that report fake payouts and manipulate difficulty to keep small operators dependent. this isn’t mining-it’s indentured servitude.
the chinese and russian state-backed miners are the only ones who truly understand the game. they mine solo. they control the network. and you? you’re just paying them in electricity.
don’t be fooled. the ‘fair’ pool system is a trap. they want you weak. they want you reliant. they want you silent.
the truth is buried under marketing bros and ‘daily payouts.’
wake up.
Dave Sorrell
if you’re reading this and thinking about mining, start with a calculator. go to gomining’s tool. plug in your local electricity rate. plug in your hardware. see what the numbers say.
most people think they can make money. they can’t.
if you still want to try after the math, start with one asic in a pool. run it for 30 days. see if you’re profitable.
if you are, you’re in the top 1%.
if you’re not, you saved yourself thousands.
it’s not about being a miner. it’s about being smart.
Sky Sky Report blog
the post is well written and accurate
mining is a business not a hobby
if you treat it like a hobby you will lose money
if you treat it like a business you might break even
and if you treat it like a lottery you will be very disappointed
stuart white
you think you’re a pioneer? you’re not. you’re a sucker with a power bill.
the only people who solo mine are either billionaires who don’t care about the cost… or delusional idiots who think they’re the next satoshi.
and let me tell you something-satoshi didn’t solo mine because he was a rebel.
he solo mined because there was no other option.
there’s a difference.
don’t romanticize poverty.
just join a pool.
your bank account will thank you.
your ego? not so much.
Anne Jackson
everyone says pool mining is the way, but have you ever seen what happens when a pool gets too big? they censor transactions. they blacklist addresses. they become the very thing they claim to oppose.
you think you’re safe? you’re just trading one tyranny for another.
the real solution? mine solo. even if it takes 10 years.
at least then you’re not trusting a corporation with your bitcoin future.
freedom isn’t free. and neither is decentralization.
David Hardy
my first asic was a used s19. i put it in a closet with a fan. made $10 a day. paid for itself in 4 months.
pool mining is chill. you don’t need to be a genius. just plug it in and let it go.
bitcoin is a marathon, not a sprint.
you got this 💪
John Borwick
i started with a single s19 in a pool. made enough to buy a second. then a third.
now i’ve got 3 ph/s. i still use pools for cash flow, but i run a full node and occasionally redirect a few asics to solo when the network difficulty dips.
it’s not about choosing one or the other.
it’s about having options.
and if you’re just starting? don’t overthink it.
get one asic. join slush pool. watch your dashboard.
the rest will come.
Matthew Prickett
did you know the government tracks pool mining activity? they know who you are. they know how much you mine. they know your ip.
solo mining? you’re invisible.
the pools are just the first step to crypto surveillance.
they want you dependent. they want you traceable.
if you care about privacy, you have to mine solo-even if it takes 5 years.
they’re watching you right now.
don’t be fooled.
asher malik
the whole solo vs pool debate is kinda silly
the real issue is that most people don’t understand what mining even is
they think it’s like staking or something
but it’s not
it’s a hardware race with math
and if you don’t have the power and the heat dissipation and the patience
you’re just throwing money into a black hole
and pretending it’s a ‘contribution’
it’s not
it’s a cost center
and if you’re not running 1+ ph/s
you’re just a data point in someone else’s profit margin
and yes
i’ve been there
and i got out
and i’m still mining
just smarter now
Julissa Patino
pool mining is for noobs
real miners go solo
and if you think you need a ‘guide’ to mine bitcoin
you shouldn’t be mining at all
you’re just here for the hype
and the ‘daily payouts’
pathetic
Omkar Rane
in india, we have power cuts every day. cooling is expensive. asics are hard to get. but we still try.
we don’t have a choice. we have to believe.
some of us use solar. some of us mine at night when rates drop.
we don’t care if we win a block in 5 years.
we care that we’re part of it.
bitcoin is not just money.
it’s a movement.
and even if we’re small,
we’re still here.
and that’s enough.
Daryl Chew
the entire mining industry is controlled by the cia and the federal reserve. they allow pools to exist so they can track every bitcoin ever mined.
solo mining is the only way to stay free.
if you’re using a pool, you’re already compromised.
they know your location. your ip. your earnings.
they’re building a database of every miner in the world.
and when the next crisis comes?
they’ll freeze your coins.
don’t be fooled.
go solo or go home.
Tyler Boyle
people think mining is about profit. it’s not. it’s about participation.
the blockchain needs miners. not just big ones. small ones too.
if everyone goes to pools, the network becomes vulnerable.
even if you only have 50 th/s, you’re still a node in the system.
you’re not just mining bitcoin.
you’re defending it.
and that’s worth more than any payout.
even if it takes 10 years to find a block.
you’re still winning.
Jane A
you’re not a miner. you’re a renter. you’re renting your hardware to a pool that profits off your labor.
real miners don’t need a dashboard to tell them they’re doing something right.
they just mine.
and they wait.
and they don’t complain.
you? you’re just here for the ‘daily payouts.’
pathetic.
jocelyn cortez
i started mining because i wanted to understand bitcoin better.
i didn’t expect to make money.
i just wanted to be part of it.
i use a pool because it’s simple.
i don’t need to win a block to feel like i’m contributing.
the fact that i’m here, running this machine, learning, watching the network grow-that’s enough.
thank you for the post. it helped me think.
Rajesh pattnaik
in my country, we don’t have big mining farms.
but we have heart.
i have one asic. i run it at night.
it doesn’t pay much.
but it keeps me connected.
and that’s what matters.
Lisa Hubbard
why is everyone so obsessed with solo mining? it’s not glamorous. it’s not cool. it’s just expensive electricity and bad dreams.
and the ‘ideology’ argument? please.
you’re not saving bitcoin. you’re just wasting money.
if you really cared about decentralization, you’d run a full node.
not mine.
node.
big difference.
Belle Bormann
my first asic was a used s9. it was loud. it was hot. it didn’t make money.
i switched to a pool. made $8 a day.
used that to buy an s19.
now i make $50 a day.
no drama. no waiting.
just steady.
and yeah, i’m still learning.
but at least i’m not broke.
Emily Michaelson
i’m a single mom. i don’t have time for drama.
i have one asic in a pool.
it pays for my kid’s school supplies.
that’s it.
i don’t need to win a block.
i just need to pay the bills.
thank you for making this so clear.
Amanda Cheyne
what if the pools are all controlled by the same entity? what if they’re all just fronts for a single corporation? what if the ‘random’ block rewards are manipulated? what if the ‘payouts’ are fake?
you think you’re safe?
you’re not.
solo mining is the only way to be sure.
they don’t want you to know this.
but now you do.
Caren Potgieter
in south africa, electricity is expensive but we still try.
we don’t have the money for 1 ph/s.
but we have hope.
we mine in pools.
and we talk to each other.
and that’s how we survive.
bitcoin doesn’t care where you’re from.
it only cares if you’re still here.
Jennifer MacLeod
the best part about pool mining? you don’t need to be a tech wizard.
just plug it in.
check your dashboard.
repeat.
it’s that simple.
and if you’re still overthinking it?
you’re not ready.
and that’s okay.
Gus Mitchener
the argument that solo mining supports decentralization is flawed. decentralization isn’t about the number of miners-it’s about the number of independent nodes validating blocks.
a solo miner with 1 eh/s still relies on the same network infrastructure as a pool miner.
the real decentralization happens at the node level, not the miner level.
and if you want to support decentralization, run a full node. not a miner.
you’ll do more for the network in 24 hours than any solo miner ever will.
Dave Sorrell
that’s a great point. running a full node is free. it doesn’t cost you electricity. it doesn’t require hardware.
you can run one on a raspberry pi.
and it helps the whole network.
if you’re serious about bitcoin, start there.
then think about mining.
Soham Kulkarni
i run a full node on an old laptop.
it’s slow. it’s quiet.
but it’s mine.
and when i mine in a pool, i know i’m not just feeding the system.
i’m helping it stay alive.
that’s why i do both.
not because i’m rich.
because i care.
David Hardy
node + pool = best combo.
you’re secure. you’re contributing. you’re making money.
why make it harder?