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Networks

Monero offers three distinct networks and blockchains, plus a local regression testing mode:

mainnet
stagenet
testnet
regtest

Every network has its own genesis block and is entirely separate from others.

Nodes & Explorers

Spy Nodes and Explorers

Be cautious when using any remote node or block explorer.

Malicious service providers may log and associate your IP address, TXIDs, and more. If you must use Untrusted Nodes, use them over Onion or I2P.

Nodes

  • Nodes - Self-Hosted

    • Run your own node
    • Use a node which is controlled by somebody you trust

  • Nodes - Remote (Use an Onion or I2P node)

Block Explorers - Self-Hosted

Mainnet

Mainnet is the "production" network and blockchain.

Mainnet is the only blockchain where XMR units have value.

Mainnet is the default network.

Mainnet Block Explorers [Onion]
Mainnet Block Explorers [I2P]
Mainnet Block Explorers [Clearnet]
Mainnet Faucets
  • None. Don't fall for scams
Mainnet TCP ports
  • 18080 - [Default] P2P Network
  • 18081 - [Default] Unrestricted JSON-RPC
  • 18082 - [Default] ZMQ RPC
  • 18083 - ZMQ Pub
  • 18084 - Tor P2P
  • 18085 - I2P P2P
  • 18086 - Unused
  • 18087 - Unused
  • 18088 - Wallet RPC
  • 18089 - Restricted JSON-RPC

Stagenet

Stagenet is available for users and developers to learn and build on Monero safely.

Stagenet is technically equivalent to mainnet, both in terms of features and consensus rules. Similar to mainnet, you'll use the latest official Monero release to be compatible with stagenet.

Some resources to get started:

Stagenet Block Explorers [Onion]
Stagenet Block Explorers [Clearnet]
Stagenet Faucets [Clearnet]
Stagenet TCP ports
  • 38080 - [Default] P2P Network
  • 38081 - [Default] Unrestricted JSON-RPC
  • 38082 - [Default] ZMQ RPC
  • 38083 - ZMQ Pub
  • 38084 - Tor P2P
  • 38085 - I2P P2P
  • 38086 - Unused
  • 38087 - Unused
  • 38088 - Wallet RPC
  • 38089 - Restricted JSON-RPC

Stagenet was introduced in March 2018 as part of Monero v0.12.0.0

Testnet

If you're a normal user, you should use Stagenet.

If you're a developer building an application, you should use Stagenet for a live network, or Regtest for a local one.

Testnet is the "experimental" network and blockchain where things get tested long before mainnet.

Testnet forks earlier and more often than Mainnet. To avoid being stuck on an old fork of testnet, you should keep your sources up to date and compile often.

Some resources to get started:

Testnet Block Explorers [Onion]
Testnet Block Explorers [Clearnet]
Testnet Faucets [Clearnet]
Testnet TCP ports
  • 28080 - [Default] P2P Network
  • 28081 - [Default] Unrestricted JSON-RPC
  • 28082 - [Default] ZMQ RPC
  • 28083 - ZMQ Pub
  • 28084 - Tor P2P
  • 28085 - I2P P2P
  • 28086 - Unused
  • 28087 - Unused
  • 28088 - Wallet RPC
  • 28089 - Restricted JSON-RPC

Private Testnet

Run a Private Testnet

You can create a private version of the Testnet.
A private testnet follows the testnet hard fork table, so a new chain starts on hard fork version 1 and only reaches the current rules at the same heights as the public testnet, unless you modify the hard fork table and recompile.

A private testnet is only recommended when you need to test hard fork boundaries, unreleased hard forks, or old transaction types. Otherwise, use Regtest.

To learn how to run a private testnet, follow the guide from Monero Examples

Regtest

Regtest is a local regression testing mode, ideal for third-party developers and CI runs. It is enabled by starting monerod with --regtest.

Regtest starts a new, private chain that uses the latest hard fork rules from block 1.

Regtest uses the mainnet address format. The chain is deleted on each start unless --keep-fakechain is passed.

Start a Regtest node

--offline keeps the node from connecting to other peers, --fixed-difficulty keeps the difficulty constant so blocks can be generated quickly, and --keep-fakechain keeps the chain across restarts.

monerod --regtest --offline --fixed-difficulty=1 --keep-fakechain
Generate blocks

Blocks are created on demand, and the coinbase reward is paid to the given address.

Use the generateblocks RPC.

Request
curl http://127.0.0.1:18081/json_rpc \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": "0",
    "method": "generateblocks",
    "params": {
      "amount_of_blocks": 100,
      "wallet_address": "44AFFq5kSiGBoZ4NMDwYtN18obc8AemS33DBLWs3H7otXft3XjrpDtQGv7SqSsaBYBb98uNbr2VBBEt7f2wfn3RVGQBEP3A"
    }
  }'

Use the generate_blocks <addr> <numblocks> [<starting_nonce>] command in the monerod console.

generate_blocks 44AFFq5kSiGBoZ4NMDwYtN18obc8AemS33DBLWs3H7otXft3XjrpDtQGv7SqSsaBYBb98uNbr2VBBEt7f2wfn3RVGQBEP3A 100
Regtest TCP ports
  • 18080 - [Default] P2P Network
  • 18081 - [Default] Unrestricted JSON-RPC
  • 18082 - [Default] ZMQ RPC
  • 18083 - ZMQ Pub
  • 18084 - Tor P2P
  • 18085 - I2P P2P
  • 18086 - Unused
  • 18087 - Unused
  • 18088 - Wallet RPC
  • 18089 - Restricted JSON-RPC

FAQ

Why do stagenet and testnet coins have no value?

A: This is simply the convention community embraced. Value only comes from a shared belief that mainnet coins will be accepted by other people in the future.