The 5 largest Bitcoin mining pools in 2025

The rise in Bitcoin's price has transformed the mining landscape, making it more competitive and complex over time. As mining difficulty increases, miners must adapt to maximize their chances of success. Mining pools quickly became a popular choice, offering miners the ability to combine their resources to improve their chances of finding blocks and receiving rewards.

In this article, we will explore the five best Bitcoin mining pools in 2025, examining their features, pros, and cons.

What is a Bitcoin mining pool?

A Bitcoin mining pool is a platform where multiple miners work together to solve complex mathematical problems required to validate transactions on the blockchain. By pooling their resources, miners increase their collective computing power, improving their chances of discovering a block.

The rewards obtained are then shared among the pool members based on their contribution.

Advantages of Mining Pools

• Stable Income : Unlike solo mining, where rewards can be sporadic, pools offer more regular payouts.
• Reduced Entry Barrier : Small miners can participate without requiring expensive equipment or significant energy resources.
• Knowledge Sharing : Pools often offer resources and support to less experienced miners, making it easier for them to enter the world of mining.

Why choose a mining pool?

Choosing a mining pool is essential to maximizing your profits. Pools vary in size, fees, payment methods, and security. Here are some criteria to consider when selecting a pool:

• Pool Size : Larger pools offer more frequent payouts, but rewards per individual may be lower.
• Cost : Some pools charge fees on winnings, which can affect profitability.
• Reliability : A pool with a good reputation and a history of regular payments is crucial for the security of funds.

The 5 Largest Bitcoin Mining Pools in 2025

1/ Foundry USA Pool

Foundry USA Pool has rapidly gained popularity since its launch in 2020. This pool emphasizes security and reliability, making it a preferred choice for many miners.

Key Features

• Market share : Foundry controls approximately 30% of the total hash rate of the Bitcoin network.
• Payment Model : The pool mainly uses the FPPS model, guaranteeing stable payments.

Benefits

• Security measures : Foundry emphasizes robust security protocols, strengthening miner confidence.
• Analysis Tools : The platform offers advanced analysis tools to track performance.

Drawbacks

• Centralization : Controlling a significant portion of the hash rate raises concerns about centralization.

2/ F2Pool

F2Pool is one of the largest Bitcoin mining pools, controlling a significant portion of the global hash rate. Founded in 2013 in China, it allows miners to mine multiple cryptocurrencies, providing greater flexibility.

Payment Models

F2Pool offers several payment models, including:

• PPS+ (Pay Per Share Plus) : Miners receive a fixed amount for each validated action, regardless of the discovery of a block.
• FPPS (Full Pay Per Share) : This model includes both block rewards and transaction fees, ensuring consistent payouts.
• PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares) : Rewards are based on the last shares submitted before a block is discovered.

Benefits

• Consistent Gains : Various payment models allow miners to choose the one that suits them best.
• Multi-Currency Support : F2Pool also allows mining other cryptocurrencies, providing increased flexibility.

Drawbacks

• Centralization : Due to its considerable size, F2Pool is often criticized for contributing to the centralization of mining.

3/ Brains Pool

Formerly known as Slush Pool, Brains Pool is recognized as the very first Bitcoin mining pool, having been launched in 2010. It has a long history of reliability in the industry.

Payment Model

Braiins Pool uses the PPLNS model, rewarding miners based on their recent contributions.

Benefits

• Transparency : The pool provides detailed statistics and real-time tracking tools.
• Innovative Payment Structure : The PPLNS model minimizes the risks associated with pool oscillation.

Drawbacks

• Variable Income : The PPLNS model may cause earnings fluctuations.

4/ Antpool

Antpool, operated by Bitmain Technologies, is one of the largest mining pools in the world. It offers a variety of payment options, attracting more and more miners.

Payment Models

Antpool offers several models, including FPPS and PPLNS, allowing miners to choose the one that suits them best.

Benefits

• Payment Flexibility : Minors can select from several payment structures.
• Multi-Currency Support : The pool supports multiple cryptocurrencies.

Drawbacks

• User interface : Some users find the interface less intuitive.

5. ViaBTC

ViaBTC is a medium-sized mining pool, founded in 2016, that supports several cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. However, this mining pool is gaining popularity in recent times.

Payment Models

ViaBTC offers both FPPS and PPLNS models, ensuring consistent payouts.

Benefits

• Friendly Interface : The platform is intuitive and easy to use, even for newcomers.
• Multi-Currency Support : Miners can diversify their operations by mining multiple cryptocurrencies.

Drawbacks

• High Fees : Fees can be as high as 4% for some payment models.

How to choose the right mining pool?

Choosing the right mining pool is essential to maximizing your profits. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Expenses : Fees charged by pools can vary considerably. It is important to understand how these fees affect your overall winnings.
• The size of the pool : Larger pools generally offer more frequent payouts, but rewards may be lower due to sharing among many miners.
• Security : Security is paramount. Look for pools with strong security protocols and a good reputation.
• Payment methods : Different payment methods can have a significant impact on your earnings. Make sure you choose a pool that offers a payment model that suits your needs.

Conclusion

Bitcoin mining pools have become essential for miners looking to maximize their chances of success in an increasingly competitive environment. In 2025, options like F2Pool, Foundry USA Pool, Brains Pool, Antpool, and ViaBTC stand out for their features, pros, and cons. By wisely choosing a pool based on your needs, you can significantly improve your profitability and mining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Bitcoin mining pool?

The best pool depends on your specific needs. ViaBtc is often recommended for its regular payouts and quick understanding, while Brains Pool is appreciated for its transparency.

Is it better to mine solo or in a pool?

For most miners, pool mining is more profitable due to the regularity of payouts and reduced risk.

What are typical mining pool fees?

Fees typically range from 1% to 4%, depending on the pool and payment model chosen.

How to evaluate the reputation of a mining pool?

Check user reviews, discussion forums, and payment history to assess a pool's reputation.

What factors influence the profitability of a mining pool?

Profitability depends on fees, payment model, hash rate, and operating costs, such as electricity.

By following these tips and choosing your mining pool wisely, you can successfully navigate the world of Bitcoin mining in 2025.