PPLNS vs PPS+ Explained: Which Mining Reward Scheme Actually Pays More?

When you mine cryptocurrency, your earnings don’t just appear out of nowhere—they’re distributed by a PPLNS, a pay-per-last-N-shares mining reward system that pays based on recent contribution over a set window or a PPS+, a pay-per-share model that guarantees payment per valid share and adds bonus rewards for block finds. These aren’t just technical terms—they directly affect how much you earn, when you get paid, and how stable your income is. If you’re mining Bitcoin, Ethereum Classic, or any other coin that uses proof-of-work, choosing between PPLNS and PPS+ isn’t optional—it’s critical.

Here’s the simple difference: PPLNS waits for a block to be found before paying you, and then it looks back at your last N shares to decide your cut. That means if you join a pool right after a block is found, you might wait days to see your first payout. But if you’re lucky and the pool finds blocks often, you could earn more than expected. PPS+, on the other hand, pays you immediately for every valid share you submit, no waiting. Plus, it adds a bonus when the pool finds a block, so you get extra on top of your regular shares. It’s like getting paid hourly with a bonus when the team wins. PPS+ reduces your risk but often comes with higher pool fees. PPLNS has higher variance but lower fees—so your potential upside is bigger, but so is the chance of long dry spells.

Which one should you pick? If you’re mining with a small rig or just testing the waters, PPS+ gives you steady cash flow—you won’t stress over whether today’s hash rate will pay off. If you’re running a large farm and can handle the swings, PPLNS can give you better long-term returns, especially if you stick with a reliable pool. Some miners even switch between them depending on the coin. For example, Monero miners often use PPLNS because of its lower fees and high block frequency. Bitcoin miners might lean toward PPS+ because of the long wait times between blocks. The key is matching the system to your risk tolerance and setup size.

You’ll find posts below that dive into real mining pools using both systems, what fees they charge, how payout thresholds affect your earnings, and which coins favor one model over the other. Some of them even show you how to track your actual earnings over time to see which system works best for you. No theory—just what people are actually seeing in their wallets.