NiceHash vs MRR vs Direct Pool
Compare selling hashrate on NiceHash or Mining Rig Rentals against mining directly on ViaBTC, F2Pool, or AntPool. Pick your algorithm — ASIC list updates automatically. Live data, real fees.
| Pool | Supports? | FPPS / PPS+ | PPLNS | Min Payout | Paid In |
|---|
NiceHash vs MRR vs Direct Pool: How Each Strategy Works
NiceHash
You connect your ASIC to NiceHash and buyers pay for your hashrate on a marketplace. You're always paid in BTC regardless of algorithm. Revenue fluctuates with buyer demand. ~2% seller fee. Best when NiceHash buyer rates exceed direct mining equivalent.
Mining Rig Rentals
List your rig on MRR at a daily rate you set. Renters pay in BTC or altcoins. 3% platform fee. Supports all major ASIC algorithms. You mine normally when not rented. Good supplement to direct mining income during periods when your rig sits idle.
Direct Pool Mining
Mine directly on ViaBTC, F2Pool, or AntPool. Revenue based on live network difficulty and coin price. Most predictable long-term strategy. Fee differences between pools (0–4%) directly impact your profit. Paid in the coin you mine.
Algorithm Guide — Which Coins Do These Algorithms Mine?
| Algorithm | Primary Coin | Top ASICs | ViaBTC | F2Pool | AntPool | NiceHash | MRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHA-256 | BTC, BCH | S21 Pro, M66S, SealMiner A4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scrypt | LTC + DOGE | Antminer L9, L7, Goldshell LT6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| KHeavyHash | KAS (Kaspa) | Antminer KS5 Pro, IceRiver KS5L | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blake3 | ALPH (Alephium) | Antminer AL1, Goldshell AL-BOX | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Equihash | ZEC (Zcash) | Antminer Z15+, Goldshell Z6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NiceHash more profitable than ViaBTC or F2Pool? +
It depends on buyer demand. NiceHash rates fluctuate based on what buyers pay for hashrate on the marketplace. When demand is high, NiceHash can pay 10–20% above direct mining rates. When demand is low, direct pool mining wins. This calculator checks live Minerstat data for all three to show the current answer.
Does AntPool support Kaspa (KHeavyHash) mining? +
No — AntPool does not currently support KHeavyHash (Kaspa) mining. For KAS mining in a pool, use ViaBTC (PPS+: 4%, PPLNS: 2%) or F2Pool (FPPS: 4%, PPLNS: 2%). NiceHash and MRR also accept KHeavyHash hashrate from Kaspa ASIC miners like the Antminer KS5 Pro and IceRiver KS5L.
Which pool is best for Litecoin Scrypt mining? +
For Litecoin (Scrypt), all three pools support it. Quai Network (QUAI) also uses Scrypt and can be merge-mined. AntPool offers the lowest FPPS fee at 2%. ViaBTC and F2Pool charge 4% FPPS / 2% PPLNS. A bonus: mining LTC on ViaBTC earns automatic DOGE through merge mining at no extra cost, which can meaningfully boost total earnings.
What is the difference between NiceHash and MRR? +
NiceHash is a large marketplace with thousands of active buyers — you connect your miner and it starts earning immediately. Rates are set by the market. MRR is a rental marketplace where you list your rig at a price you choose — renters book your rig for a set period. MRR gives more control over pricing but requires active management. Both charge similar fees (~2–3%).
Can I switch between pools without losing earnings? +
Yes. Switching requires only updating the stratum URL and worker credentials in your ASIC configuration. Your balance at the old pool is paid out once it hits the minimum threshold. No earnings are lost. Many miners test NiceHash vs their regular pool by pointing half their fleet to each to compare real-world payouts over a week.