TL;DR
Testnet Ethereum is a blockchain used for testing smart contracts and dApps without risking real money.Popular testnets include:
- Rinkeby: Deprecated.
- Goerli: Deprecated (2024).
- Sepolia: Active and recommended.
Test ETH can be obtained from faucets for free and used to deploy contracts, send transactions, and interact with dApps. Testnet ETH is not real money and cannot be converted or sold. The future of testnets depends on developer needs and Ethereum’s evolution. Developers are now encouraged to use Sepolia for testing.
What is Testnet Ethereum?
A testnet is a blockchain network that is used for testing purposes. It is a copy of the main Ethereum blockchain, but it uses testnet ether, which has no real-world value. Testnets are used by developers to test new smart contracts and dapps before they are deployed on the mainnet. They are also used by users to experiment with the Ethereum ecosystem without risking their real money.
Active and Deprecated Testnets
❌ Rinkeby
- Status: Deprecated (2022)
- Reason: Low activity, outdated architecture
❌ Goerli
- Status: Deprecated (2024)
- Reason: Phased out in favor of Sepolia
✅ Sepolia
- Status: Active
- Purpose: Mimics Ethereum post-Merge environment
- Recommended for: All current Ethereum development
To get testnet ether, you can use a faucet. A faucet is a website that gives away free testnet ether. Once you have some testnet ether, you can use it to deploy smart contracts, send transactions, and interact with other dapps on the testnet.
Testnets are an essential part of the Ethereum ecosystem. They allow developers to test their code without risking real money and they allow users to experiment with the Ethereum platform without any risk. If you are interested in learning more about Ethereum, I recommend using a testnet to get started.
What is the Rinkeby faucet?
The Rinkeby faucet was a service that provided free test ETH on the now-deprecated Rinkeby testnet. It allowed developers to test smart contracts and dApps in a safe environment without using real ETH.
To use a Rinkeby faucet, developers would connect a wallet to the Rinkeby network, request test ETH from a faucet site, and receive small amounts of ETH for free. These were useful for testing deployments, transactions, and more.
Why is the Rinkeby faucet not working?
The Rinkeby faucet is not working because the Rinkeby testnet is deprecated in Summer 2022. This means that it is no longer being supported by the Ethereum Foundation and developers are encouraged to move to other testnets, such as Sepolia.
The Rinkeby faucet was a service that provided free testnet ETH to developers who needed it to test their Ethereum applications. However, since the Rinkeby testnet is no longer being supported, there is no need for a faucet.
Here are some of the reasons why the Rinkeby faucet was shut down:
- The Rinkeby testnet was becoming increasingly congested, making it difficult for developers to test their applications.
- The Rinkeby testnet was not being used as much as other testnets, such as Sepolia.
- The Ethereum Foundation was no longer able to justify the cost of maintaining the Rinkeby testnet.
What are the best new testnets for ETH?
As of 2025, Sepolia is the most reliable and actively maintained Ethereum testnet. It replaced older networks like Rinkeby and Goerli, which have now been deprecated.
✅ Sepolia Faucet
- Provides free testnet ETH for developers
- Actively supported and aligned with Ethereum mainnet features
- Works well with modern tooling
There are no longer any supported Goerli faucets, as the network is deprecated. All developers are encouraged to migrate to Sepolia.
Here is a table that summarizes the pros and cons of Goerli and Sepolia
Sepolia vs Goerli (2025 Perspective)
| Feature | Goerli (Deprecated) | Sepolia (Active) |
|---|---|---|
| Maturity | More established, but deprecated | Actively supported and improving |
| Users and developers | Previously had more users | Growing user base as primary testnet |
| Tooling and resources | Used to have broader tooling support | Increasingly well-supported by current tooling |
| Compatibility with Ethereum tooling | Good during its time | Now fully compatible with modern tooling |
| Incentive for testing | No longer maintained | Strong incentive for testing with current infra |
| Alignment with Ethereum mainnet | Outdated post-Merge compatibility | Closely aligned with post-Merge Ethereum |
How to get test ETH for Goerli and Sepolia?
Use a faucet: There are a number of faucets that provide free test ETH to developers. Some popular faucets include:
- Alchemy Sepolia Faucet
- Infura Sepolia Faucet
- QuickNode Sepolia Faucet
- Metana Sepolia Faucet — No wait, 0.06 ETH, ideal for learners and devs (learn more)
Troubleshooting Sepolia
- Chain ID:
11155111 - Gas Price: Ensure it’s not too low (suggested: 10 gwei or more)
- Nonce Issues: Check if you’ve made previous transactions
- Use Explorers: Sepolia Explorer
- Join Help Channels: Use Discord or developer forums for help
Mine ETH: You can mine test ETH using a number of different mining pools. Some popular mining pools include:
- DwarfPool: This pool has a low minimum payout threshold and supports a variety of mining algorithms.
- NanoPool: This pool has a high uptime and a low fee.
- Poolin: This pool has a large user base and a high hashrate.
Buy ETH: You can also buy test ETH from a number of different exchanges. Some popular exchanges include:
- Uniswap: This exchange allows you to swap ETH for test ETH using a variety of different tokens.
- PancakeSwap: This exchange allows you to swap ETH for test ETH using a variety of different tokens.
- 1inch: This exchange allows you to swap ETH for test ETH using a variety of different tokens.
Once you have obtained test ETH, you can use it to test your Ethereum applications. You can deploy your contracts, send transactions, and interact with your applications just as you would on the mainnet. However, it is important to remember that test ETH is not real ETH and it cannot be exchanged for real ETH.
Here are some additional tips for getting test ETH:
- Be patient: It may take some time to get test ETH from a faucet or mining pool.
- Be careful: When buying test ETH, be sure to buy it from a reputable exchange.
- Use a testnet wallet: Do not use your mainnet wallet to store test ETH.
- Have fun: Testing your Ethereum applications is a great way to learn more about Ethereum development.
Troubleshooting tips for Sepolia?
Here are some troubleshooting tips for Goerli and Sepolia:
- Check your network settings: Make sure that your MetaMask wallet is connected to the correct network. For Sepolia, the network ID is 10 and the chain ID is 1337.
- Check your gas price: Make sure that your gas price is high enough to get your transaction included in the block. The current gas price for Sepolia is around 431.84 Mwei.
- Check your nonce: Make sure that your nonce is correct. A nonce is a number that increments each time you send a transaction. If your nonce is incorrect, your transaction will be rejected.
- Check your balance: Make sure that you have enough ETH to pay for the transaction fees.
- Try again later: If you are still having trouble, try again later. The Sepolia networks can sometimes be congested, which can cause transactions to be delayed or rejected.
The Future of Ethereum Testnets
With Goerli and Rinkeby both officially deprecated (in 2024 and 2022 respectively), the future now clearly centers around Sepolia.
Goerli was once considered a robust testnet, but it has been retired in favor of Sepolia’s post-Merge compatibility and cleaner infrastructure. The Ethereum Foundation has indicated that Sepolia will continue to be maintained and improved, becoming the standard environment for smart contract testing.
Key expectations for the future:
- Goerli and Rinkeby will remain shut down: No reactivation is expected.
- Sepolia will remain the main testnet: It is continuously aligned with mainnet upgrades.
- New testnets may emerge: If Ethereum undergoes significant architectural changes, a new testnet could be introduced, but for now, Sepolia is the focus.
What should developers do?
- Fully transition to Sepolia.
- Stay informed on future testnet announcements from Ethereum core devs.
- Leverage Sepolia for dApp deployment, smart contract testing, and Web3 education.
It is important to note that these are just a few possibilities. The future of Goerli and Sepolia is uncertain and will depend on a number of factors.
FAQs
- What is the testnet of Ethereum?
A testnet is a blockchain network that is used for testing new features and applications before they are deployed on the mainnet Ethereum network. Testnets are typically free to use and allow developers to experiment with new features without risking their real money.
- Is testnet ether worth anything?
No, testnet ether is not worth anything. It is a virtual currency that is used for testing purposes only.
- Which Ethereum testnets are active?
There are three active Ethereum testnets: Rinkeby, Goerli, and Sepolia.
- Rinkeby: Rinkeby is the oldest and most popular Ethereum testnet. It is used for testing new features and applications.
- Goerli: Goerli is a more robust testnet than Rinkeby. It is used for testing more complex applications and features.
- Sepolia: Sepolia is the newest testnet Ethereum network. It is designed to mimic the mainnet Ethereum network as closely as possible, so it is used for testing applications and features that will be deployed on the mainnet.
- How to get free ETH for testnet?
There are a few ways to get free ETH for testnet:
- You can get free ETH from faucets. Faucets are websites that give away small amounts of testnet ETH.
- You can earn free ETH by participating in airdrops. Airdrops are promotional events where developers give away free ETH to users.
- You can also get free ETH by participating in bounty programs. Bounty programs are programs where developers offer rewards to users for completing tasks, such as testing new features or reporting bugs.
- Are testnet coins real?
No, testnet coins are not real. They are virtual currencies that are used for testing purposes only.
- Does testnet pay?
No, testnet does not pay. It is a free service that is provided by the Ethereum community.
- How to earn with testnet?
There are a few ways to earn with testnet:
- You can earn by participating in airdrops and bounty programs.
- You can also earn by providing liquidity to testnet decentralized exchanges (DEXs).
- You can also earn by staking your testnet ETH.
- Which testnet is best?
The best testnet for you depends on your needs. If you are new to Ethereum development, Rinkeby is a good place to start. If you are testing more complex applications, Goerli is a better option. And if you are testing applications that will be deployed on the mainnet, Sepolia is the best choice.
- How do I convert testnet coins to real coins?
You cannot convert testnet coins to real coins. They are two separate currencies.
- Can testnet tokens be sold?
No, testnet tokens cannot be sold. They are not real and have no value.
