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Comparison

Solana vs Cardano

A side-by-side look at Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) — live price, market capitalization, supply, all-time records and project fundamentals. Figures refresh hourly from public market data. For informational purposes only; not financial advice.

Side by side Source CoinGecko Updated hourly
Solana logo
Solana SOL
Rank #7
$68.77
-7.37% 24h
Market cap
$39.89B
24h volume
$2.94B
Cardano logo
Cardano ADA
Rank #20
$0.160984
-6.33% 24h
Market cap
$5.98B
24h volume
$453.52M

Solana vs Cardano: Key Metrics

Metric SOL ADA
Market cap rank #7 #20
Price $68.77 $0.160984
Market capitalization $39.89B $5.98B
24-hour trading volume $2.94B $453.52M
24-hour change -7.37% -6.33%
Circulating supply 580,058,560 37,206,017,184
Maximum supply No fixed cap 45,000,000,000
All-time high $293.31 $3.09
All-time low $0.500801 $0.01925275
Genesis / launch
Hashing algorithm
Categories tracked 16 9

Bold values mark the larger figure for size-based metrics (market cap, volume). Larger is not inherently “better.”

What Are Solana and Cardano?

Solana SOL

Solana is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed for mass adoption by providing a fast, secure, and low-cost environment for decentralized applications. It distinguishes itself by scaling globally without the use of complex sharding or multiple layers, instead maintaining a single, unified ledger to avoid liquidity fragmentation. This architecture allows it to process thousands of transactions per second with sub-second finality, often at a cost of less than a penny per transaction. The network operates on a unique hybrid model that combines Proof of Stake with an innovation called Proof of History, which functions as a decentralized clock to timestamp transactions.

Full Solana profile →

Cardano ADA

Cardano is a blockchain platform built on academic research that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications while using significantly less energy than traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. What sets Cardano apart is its methodical, research-driven approach — every major feature is peer-reviewed by scientists and cryptographers before being added to the network. This careful process aims to create a more secure and stable foundation compared to platforms that prioritize speed over thorough testing. The platform's native cryptocurrency, ADA, is used to send money, pay transaction fees, and participate in network governance.

Full Cardano profile →

Category Overlap

How Solana and Cardano are classified by CoinGecko, and where they overlap.

Shared
Smart Contract PlatformLayer 1 (L1)Proof of Stake (PoS)GMCI Layer 1 IndexGMCI 30 IndexGMCI IndexMade in USACoinbase 50 Index
Solana only
Solana EcosystemFTX HoldingsMulticoin Capital PortfolioAlameda Research PortfolioAndreessen Horowitz (a16z) PortfolioDelphi Ventures PortfolioPolychain Capital PortfolioCoinList Launchpad
Cardano only
Cardano Ecosystem

Solana vs Cardano FAQ

Which has a bigger market cap, Solana or Cardano?
Solana has the larger market capitalization ($39.89B) compared with Cardano ($5.98B), roughly 6.7× larger.
What do Solana and Cardano have in common?
Both are classified by CoinGecko under: Smart Contract Platform, Layer 1 (L1), Proof of Stake (PoS), GMCI Layer 1 Index, GMCI 30 Index, GMCI Index.
Is Solana or Cardano a better investment?
We don’t provide financial advice or price predictions. This page compares factual market data only. Which asset suits you depends on your own research, goals and risk tolerance — always do your own due diligence before investing.

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