Is Monero more profitable to mine than Litecoin?
Monero can be more profitable than Litecoin if you already have a suitable computer, but there is no universal winner. Litecoin usually needs a specialized mining machine to compete, while Monero is designed for ordinary computer processors. Your electricity price, equipment cost, and mining setup matter more than which coin has the higher price.
You are comparing two different kinds of hardware
Monero uses RandomX, its mining algorithm—the rules your computer follows to compete for mining rewards. RandomX favors CPUs, the main processors in everyday computers. A capable desktop CPU can therefore be a practical starting point without buying a dedicated mining machine.
Litecoin uses a different algorithm called Scrypt. Competitive Litecoin mining generally requires a Scrypt ASIC, a machine built specifically for that kind of mining. Mining Litecoin directly with a normal computer is usually not economically competitive.
That gives you two useful comparisons:
- Using a computer you already own: Monero is usually the more sensible option to test.
- Buying equipment to earn money: Compare a Monero CPU setup against a specific Scrypt ASIC, including its purchase price and running costs.
“More sensible” does not necessarily mean profitable. Either setup can lose money.
Litecoin’s combined rewards change the calculation
Many Litecoin mining pools also earn Dogecoin through merged mining. This lets the same mining work help secure both networks without doubling the machine’s electricity use. A pool combines miners’ work and distributes rewards according to its payout rules.
This matters because a calculator showing only Litecoin rewards may understate what a Scrypt ASIC could earn through a merged-mining pool.
Check whether an estimate includes:
- Litecoin and Dogecoin rewards.
- The pool’s fees and payout method.
- Your machine’s actual electricity use.
- Any other rewards the pool passes on to you.
For a fair comparison, measure Monero’s expected net earnings against the ASIC’s full expected payout—not Litecoin rewards alone. Pool policies differ, so do not assume every pool pays you both coins separately.
Compare profit, not the coins you receive
Your hashrate is the number of mining calculations your hardware performs each second. Monero and Litecoin use different calculations, so their hashrate numbers cannot be compared directly.
Instead, use a live calculator for each algorithm with your specific hardware. Then work out:
Daily operating profit = daily reward value − electricity cost − fees and other running costs
Your daily electricity cost is:
Power in watts ÷ 1,000 × hours running × your electricity price per kilowatt-hour
Measure power at the wall if possible. The whole computer uses electricity, not just its processor. ASIC cooling or ventilation may add costs too.
Finally, account for the equipment purchase. Positive daily operating profit does not guarantee that you will recover what you spent. Prices and mining competition change, so avoid treating today’s estimate as a promise.
Browser mining needs a separate estimate
If you are mining Monero in your browser, do not use earnings estimates for optimized desktop mining software. Browser limitations and platform overhead can make your actual performance substantially lower.
Measure your browser’s real hashrate, check service fees and withdrawal requirements, and watch electricity use. A low payout threshold is helpful, but it does not make an unprofitable setup profitable.
The bottom line
With an existing computer, Monero is usually more practical than Litecoin. With money to invest in dedicated equipment, neither automatically wins: compare measured power use, hardware costs, and live reward estimates—including Litecoin’s merged-mining income.
