A Comparative Analysis of Next-Generation Blockchains Networks
Tags: blockchain, web3
Published: 2023-08-17 11:24:01

_Meta-description: This blog compares 6 next-generation blockchain networks, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and how they compare._

In the ever-evolving landscape of blockchain technology, the trilemma of scalability, speed, and security has remained a paramount concern. As blockchain adoption continues to increase across industries, the demand for networks capable of handling higher throughput without compromising security has become increasingly pronounced.

In this article, we comprehensively compare 6 next-generation blockchains including [SEI](https://www.sei.io/), [Solana](https://solana.com/), [Hedera](https://hedera.com/), [Unicorn Ultra](https://uniultra.xyz/), [Sui](https://sui.io), and [Aptos](https://aptosfoundation.org/). Our focus is to compare these blockchains and see how each performs across the following key areas:

1. Transaction throughput
2. Transaction finality
3. Frontrunning prevention
4. Processing style
5. Sybil protection
6. Vertical scaling

In the end, the goal is to provide you with enough information to be able to make an informed decision when deciding on which blockchain network to build on.

## SEI

Sei blockchain is a specialized Layer 1 platform designed for trading. It introduces new ways to handle transactions, process blocks, and run tasks in parallel, all geared towards making exchanges more efficient. Sei comes with a highly optimized system for placing and matching orders, built right into the blockchain. This makes trading smoother and more effective. It is tailored to meet the specific needs of trading platforms, bringing innovation to the world of exchanges.

Sei blockchain offers several distinctive features, it is designed with a focus on practicality and security. It offers a transaction throughput of 20,000 transactions per second, ensuring efficient handling of a significant volume of transactions. Notably,  it achieves transaction finality within 600 milliseconds, reducing potential delays and enhancing user experience. To prevent frontrunning, SEI implements a Frequent Batch Auctioning mechanism, aiming to create a fair transaction ordering system.

The blockchain's processing style relies on parallelization, which optimizes resource utilization and accelerates transaction processing. With a Sybil protection mechanism based on Proof of Stake, SEI enhances its security measures. However, it's important to note that SEI does not support vertical scaling, which could impact its suitability for certain scalability requirements.

## Solana

Solana is a decentralized blockchain platform specifically designed for mass adoption. Built to accommodate a wide range of applications, it is particularly suited for finance, NFTs, payments, and gaming. Operating as a singular global state machine, Solana ensures openness, interoperability, and a commitment to decentralization.

Solana blockchain has a transaction throughput, reaching up to 10,000tps. This is further complemented by its swift transaction finality of around 2.5 seconds, ensuring that transactions are confirmed in a timely manner. However, it's worth noting that Solana does not support frontrunning prevention out of the box, and it also lacks support for vertical scaling.

When it comes to processing transactions, Solana utilizes a parallelized style, which enhances its efficiency. Additionally, the network's integrity is maintained through a proof of stake mechanism, providing robust Sybil protection.

## Hedera

Hedera is a public hash graph network and governing body that has been purposefully crafted to cater to the requirements of mainstream markets. This network is designed to provide a robust and efficient platform for various applications, fostering trust and transparency in a decentralized ecosystem.

Hedera blockchain delivers a transaction throughput of 10,000tps. It ensures transactions are finalized between 3 to 5 seconds, offering a reasonably swift confirmation time. An added benefit is its support for frontrunning prevention, further ensuring the security and integrity of transactions. 

The processing of these transactions is managed in a parallelized style, optimizing efficiency. Hedera employs proof of stake as its method for Sybil protection, emphasizing security and decentralization. However, it's worth noting that Hedera does not currently support vertical scaling.

## Unicorn Ultra

The Unicorn Ultra (U2U) Chain is an innovative ledger system blending the safety of Hashgraph with the privacy of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). It uses the Interledger Protocol which allows the smooth connection between different blockchains. By prioritizing performance, affordability, and swift transaction rates, U2U Chain is redefining the benchmarks for ledger technology.

The U2U blockchain offers a transaction throughput of 8,000 transactions per second (tps), and with sharding enabled, this can increase to 500,000 tps. Transactions are finalized in about 350 milliseconds, providing quick confirmations. Frontrunning prevention is a supported feature, which adds a layer of security to transactions. The U2U blockchain processes transactions in a parallelized manner, ensuring efficient handling. 

For Sybil protection, it uses a combination of dPOS, POR, and PoET. Moreover, U2U has capabilities for vertical scaling, utilizing Subnetworks and ZK technology.

## SUI

The SUI blockchain is a new kind of decentralized Layer 1 system that changes how we think about owning things. It uses advanced technology to make owning assets more transparent and safe. SUI can be the base for many apps and wants to make ownership simpler and more open in the digital world.

The Sui blockchain boasts a rapid transaction throughput of 120,000tps, ensuring quick processes. Transactions on this network achieve finality in just 500 milliseconds. While it doesn't support frontrunning prevention, its processing is parallelized, streamlining operations. For protection against Sybil attacks, Sui employs a unique combination of Narwhal, Bullshark, and Tusk mechanisms. However, vertical scaling isn't supported on this platform.

## Aptos

Aptos blockchain is a base for Web3. It focuses on safety, making it reliable for decentralized apps and transactions. It can handle growing demands without slowing down. Aptos also lets users easily add new features. 

Aptos blockchain is designed for quick and efficient transactions, boasting a throughput of 160,000tps and a finality time of just 1 second. While it doesn't support frontrunning prevention, its parallel processing ensures streamlined operations.

For security against malicious entities, Aptos uses its unique AptosBFT for Sybil protection. However, it's worth noting that vertical scaling isn't supported on this platform. In simple terms, Aptos is fast and secure but has certain limitations in scaling and transaction protection.

In conclusion, the blockchain landscape is diverse, with each platform offering unique strengths and features. From Solana's high throughput to Aptos's quick finality time, and U2U's versatility with sharding, each blockchain caters to specific needs. 

While some prioritize speed or scalability, others emphasize security or interoperability. It's essential to understand the distinct qualities of SEI, Solana, Hedera, U2U, Sui, and Aptos to make an informed choice for your blockchain endeavours. Ultimately, the right platform will depend on your project's specific requirements and goals.