Why pool choice matters for Zcash miners

Zcash (ZEC) uses the Equihash proof-of-work algorithm. Mining pools combine miners’ work and distribute mining rewards according to their payment rules. Pool fees, payout models, withdrawal thresholds, and payment schedules affect both the earnings credited to miners and when they can access those earnings.

There is no single best Zcash mining pool for every miner. ZEC-denominated earnings depend on contributed work, accepted shares, network difficulty, reward treatment, and the selected payout model. ZEC price determines the fiat value of those earnings; it does not directly change the amount of ZEC mined. Fiat profitability also depends on electricity and other operating costs.

This article compares ViaBTC, F2Pool, Luxor, and 2Miners—the four largest pools by displayed hashrate in the tracker reading discussed below—and explains the practical differences between their fees and payout models.

Zcash mining-pool hashrate snapshot

The MiningPoolStats page accessed on September 9, 2026 displayed a tracked total of 22.77 and the following pool readings. The source labels these values Gh/s; the table preserves that labeling rather than silently converting it to GSol/s, the solutions-per-second terminology commonly used for Equihash. Confirm the source’s unit convention before comparing these values with another dashboard.

Together, these four readings total 20.36, or approximately 89.4% of the displayed tracker total. These percentages describe this tracker’s displayed pool data, not independently verified shares of total Zcash network hashrate. The access date does not establish the measurement time of each underlying reading. Pool dashboards and trackers can report different values because their update times, measurement windows, and coverage differ. Source: MiningPoolStats

Best Zcash mining pools: practical comparison

ViaBTC

ViaBTC offers ZEC miners two payment methods:

• PPLNS: a 2% pool fee on block-subsidy and transaction-fee rewards.
• PPS+: a 4% fee on the PPS-calculated block-subsidy component and a separate 2% fee on transaction-fee rewards distributed through PPLNS.

Under PPS+, the block-subsidy component is credited hourly. Transaction-fee rewards under PPS+, and rewards under PPLNS, are distributed after six block confirmations using contributions over the previous five difficulty rounds. These are earnings-settlement rules, separate from wallet withdrawals. ViaBTC pricing

ViaBTC introduced PPS+ for ZEC on January 9, 2026. Newly registered accounts default to PPS+, while existing accounts retain their payment method unless the user changes it. ViaBTC announcement

For ZEC auto withdrawals, the published minimum is 0.001 ZEC, with a daily payment window of 02:00–10:00 UTC and no auto-withdrawal fee. Users must configure auto withdrawal and meet its requirements. Other transfer methods have separate rules. Auto-withdrawal rules, ZEC mining guide

The practical choice is between the more predictable block-subsidy earnings of PPS+ and the lower pool fee of PPLNS, under which earnings depend more directly on the pool’s block-finding results.

F2Pool

F2Pool’s published ZEC offering uses PPS+ with a 3% pool fee. The payout threshold is 0.1 ZEC, and payments are processed daily between 00:00 and 08:00 UTC when payout requirements are met. Its ZEC guide lists PPS+ as the payment scheme, making the comparison primarily about its fee and withdrawal terms rather than a choice between PPS+ and PPLNS. F2Pool ZEC mining guide

Luxor

Luxor lists ZEC mining at a 3% discount to its FPPS rate, a deduction it describes as a pool fee. FPPS includes transaction-fee revenue in the theoretical per-share payment instead of distributing that component separately through PPLNS. Luxor mining setup and rates, Revenue and payments

Luxor publishes a 0.1 ZEC minimum withdrawal threshold and a 0.005 ZEC withdrawal fee. Users can select daily, weekly, or monthly payments. Payments are processed shortly after 04:00 UTC on the selected schedule, provided the account balance exceeds the minimum threshold plus the withdrawal fee—0.105 ZEC using those published amounts. The withdrawal fee is separate from the pool fee and matters when comparing the cost of accessing earnings. Luxor payment rules

2Miners

2Miners lists PPLNS with a 1% pool fee, the lowest stated pool fee among these four offerings. Its published terms specify a 0.1 ZEC minimum payout, automatic payment runs every two hours, and payout transaction fees covered by the pool. A two-hour payment schedule does not mean every miner receives a payment every two hours: the minimum payout must also be reached. 2Miners ZEC pool

PPLNS ties earnings to the pool’s actual block-finding results over its share window. This produces more short-term pool-luck variability than a PPS-based block-subsidy payment, even though the advertised pool fee is lower.

Payout models explained: PPS, PPLNS, PPS+, and FPPS

PPS (Pay Per Share) pays for accepted shares according to their difficulty and the theoretical mining reward. The rate reflects network difficulty and the applicable miner reward; it is not permanently fixed. The pool absorbs the immediate effect of its block-finding luck on this payment component. Basic PPS generally excludes transaction-fee rewards.

PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares) distributes rewards from blocks the pool actually finds according to each miner’s contribution within a defined recent-share window. Earnings fluctuate with pool luck: a period with fewer blocks produces fewer rewards, while a period with more blocks produces more rewards.

All else equal, a lower pool fee increases expected net mining earnings. That does not guarantee higher realized earnings over a particular period. Pool luck, accepted work, and differences in reward treatment also matter when comparing results.

PPS+ combines PPS-calculated block-subsidy earnings with transaction-fee rewards typically distributed through PPLNS. Its base component is insulated from the pool’s short-term block luck, while its transaction-fee component remains variable.

FPPS (Full Pay Per Share) includes an estimate of transaction-fee revenue in the theoretical per-share payment. Its fee-estimation basis can vary by pool, so headline pool fees should be considered alongside the underlying reward calculation. These distinctions are reflected in ViaBTC’s payment rules and Luxor’s FPPS explanation.

PPS-based payments reduce exposure to pool luck; they do not guarantee fixed daily earnings or remove the risk that a pool fails to pay. Changes in contributed work, network difficulty, and applicable rewards still affect earnings.

How to compare pools beyond the advertised fee

• Connection quality and accepted work. Compare how reliably your miner connects and how much submitted work the pool accepts. Latency and connection interruptions can contribute to stale work. Review rejection reasons rather than treating every rejected share as a latency problem.
• Withdrawal costs and timing. Distinguish account earnings from coins sent to your wallet. A payment schedule only applies once the relevant threshold and other payout conditions are met. Include withdrawal fees when comparing costs.
• Pool size and PPLNS variability. For a miner contributing the same hashrate, a larger pool generally finds blocks more frequently, while the miner receives a smaller share of each block’s distributable reward. This tends to smooth earnings variability; it does not increase the reward attached to a block or inherently improve expected earnings before fees.
• Settlement rules and account controls. Check how rewards are credited, what confirmation requirements apply, and which account-security features are available.
• Failover connectivity. Where supported, configure backup Stratum endpoints so the miner can reconnect if the primary endpoint becomes unavailable.

Use comparable measurement periods when assessing pool performance. A short run of good or bad PPLNS luck is not enough to establish a lasting earnings advantage.

Conclusion

The four pools offer different combinations of fees and payment rules. ViaBTC provides a choice between PPS+ and PPLNS; F2Pool lists a single PPS+ offering; Luxor offers FPPS with a separate withdrawal fee; and 2Miners pairs PPLNS with a 1% pool fee.

Choose by comparing the earnings variability you can accept, the reward basis behind the advertised fee, connection performance, and the cost and timing of withdrawals. Pool hashrate provides context, but it does not establish which pool will be most profitable for an individual miner. Verify current official terms before connecting hashrate, since fees and payment rules can change.

FAQ

Is PPLNS always cheaper than PPS+ or PPS for Zcash mining?

No. Fees depend on the pool’s terms. In the offerings compared here, PPLNS carries lower stated pool fees. All else equal, that improves expected net earnings, but PPLNS earnings fluctuate with actual block-finding results. Withdrawal costs and reward treatment also affect the comparison.

Why do sources report different Zcash pool hashrate figures?

Pool dashboards and third-party trackers can use different update times and measurement windows. Tracker coverage also differs from estimates of total network hashrate. Compare units, source timestamps, and metric definitions before calculating shares or drawing conclusions.

Does a bigger pool mean more consistent Zcash payouts?

A larger pool generally smooths PPLNS earnings by finding blocks more frequently. For a miner with unchanged hashrate, the allocation per found block is correspondingly smaller. Wallet-payment frequency still depends on the pool’s withdrawal schedule and the miner’s balance.

Can I switch between PPS+ and PPLNS?

This depends on the pool. ViaBTC allows ZEC users to change their payment method in mining settings; its launch announcement says the change takes effect immediately. Other pools may offer different options or switching rules. ViaBTC payment-method announcement