# Flow vs Polygon

**Published by:** [Evan Ward](https://paragraph.com/@evan-ward/)
**Published on:** 2022-12-23
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@evan-ward/flow-vs-polygon

## Content

OverviewBelow is an overview of the main focus points of each blockchain.FlowThere are four pillars that make Flow unique among existing blockchains:Multi-role architecture: Flow’s design is unique, allowing the network to scale to serve billions of users without sharding or reducing decentralization of consensus.Resource-oriented programming: smart contracts on Flow are written in Cadence, an easier and safer programming language for crypto assets and apps.Developer ergonomics: from upgradeable smart contracts and built-in logging support to the Flow Emulator, this network is designed for results.Consumer onboarding: Flow was designed for mainstream consumers, with payment onramps catalyzing a safe and low-friction path from fiat to crypto.PolygonThere are three key features associated with PolygonSpeed: The Polygon Network uses a high-throughput blockchain with consensus provided by a group of Block Producers selected by stakeholders at each checkpoint. A Proof of Stake layer is used to validate blocks and periodically post proofs of Block Producers to the Ethereum mainnet. This enables rapid block confirmation rates of about 2 seconds while preserving a high amount of decentralization, resulting in excellent throughput for the network.Scalability: Polygon Network achieves a hypothetical transaction speed of fewer than 2 seconds on a single sidechain. Using multiple sidechains helps the network to handle millions of transactions per second. This mechanism (already demonstrated in the first Matic sidechain) allows the Polygon network to scale easily.Security: Polygon's smart contracts rely on Ethereum’s security. To safeguard the network, it employs three critical security models. It uses Ethereum's staking management contracts and a group of incentivized validators running Heimdall and Bor nodes. Developers can also implement both models (Hybrid) into their dApp.Consumer ExperienceFlowMainstream-Ready Experience: Flow supports multiple payment onramps and ecosystems optimized for consumer applications Smart User Accounts: Flow accounts make it easy for dapps or wallets to pay transaction fees and recover lost keys for users Human-Readable Security: Fundamental requirement to protect mainstream users against malicious apps and build trust in the system Incentives for Early Adopters: A significant allocation of FLOW tokens is reserved for early user- and developer growth Popular Wallets: Dapper, Blocto, LilicoPolygonEthereum Compatibility: Users are able to benefit from the Ethereum blockchain’s network effects, security, and openness. Poplar Wallets: Metamask, Coinbase, Rainbow, Loopring, LedgerCommunity MetricsThe below metrics shared by both Flow and Polygon demonstrate not just the size/activity of each blockchain, but also their focus. Flow more exclusively NFTs. Polygon both NFTs and DeFi.FlowDevelopers Building: 8,000+ Total Wallet Accounts: 17M Active Projects: 1,000+ Network Nodes: 400+ Monthly Transacting Wallets: 2M Notable Brands: Meta, NBA, NFL, UFC, LatLiga, Dr. Suess, Samsung, TicketmasterPolygonUnique Addresses: 135M+ Total Transactions: 1.8B Contract Creators: 145K+ Delegators on PoS: 13K Total Matic Staked: ~4B Avg Daily Gas Saved: $140M Active Validators: 100 Notable Brands: Meta, Stripe, Adidas, Starbucks, RobinhoodConclusionGiven the focuses stated by the blockchains, Flow and Polygon, it is apparent that Flow aims to provide an experience for first time mainstream-ready users. Whereas Polygon aims to provide an improved Ethereum based experience. Flow would, in these cases, most likely be the user’s first point of entry into crypto. While Polygon acknowledges a focus for onboarding new mainstream-ready users, a big advantage for Polygon is the low learning curve necessarily for users coming from the Ethereum community. While Flow seems to have a more exclusive NFT focus, given its earlier development stage it appears better suited for larger brands that can convince skeptical users to get past the onboarding hurdle and utilize the NFT focused benefits of the Dapper wallet in the long term. Polygon, on the other hand, while it requires more crypto knowledge of the consumer the tools and integrations it uses or more familiar to the current web3 audience.

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