Ripple vs Stellar: Key Differences (XRP vs XLM)

Complete side-by-side comparison of Ripple and Stellar. Price, market cap, technology, and more.

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RippleRank #5
$1.3
24h: 0.96%7d: 2.70%30d: 7.36%
View XRP details
StellarRank #21
$0.159
24h: 1.59%7d: 5.62%30d: 0.23%
View XLM details

RippleWhat is Ripple?

XRP was built for one thing: moving money across borders fast and cheap. Ripple Labs created it to work with banks, not against them. Transactions settle in seconds for fractions of a penny. After years of SEC battles, XRP emerged with more clarity and institutional interest than ever.

StellarWhat is Stellar?

Jed McCaleb co-founded Ripple, then left to build Stellar with a focus on financial inclusion. It targets remittances to developing countries where bank fees destroy the value of small transfers. Partnerships with MoneyGram and various central banks keep it relevant.

Price Evolution

Percentage change from start of period

XRPXRP-7.36%
XLMXLM-0.23%

Detailed Comparison

Ripple XRP
vs
Stellar XLM
Price & Market
Price
$1.3
$0.159
Market Cap
$79.88B
$5.26B
24h Volume
$1.05B
$68.64M
Volume/Cap Ratio
1.32%
1.31%
Market Dominance
0.03556441%
0.00233969%
All-Time High
$3.65
$0.876
ATH Date
Jul 18, 2025
Jan 3, 2018
Performance
24h Change
0.96%
1.59%
7d Change
2.70%
5.62%
30d Change
7.36%
0.23%
Supply
Circulating Supply
61.41B
33.08B
Total Supply
99.99B
50.00B
Max Supply
100.00B
Unlimited
Technology
Consensus
Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm
Stellar Consensus Protocol
Block Time
3-5 seconds
3-5 seconds
TPS (Transactions/sec)
1500
1000
Launch Year
2012
2014
Transaction Fees
Average Fee
< $0.01
< $0.01
Fee Model
Drop-based (XRP Ledger)
Stellar Consensus Protocol
General
Primary Use Case
Cross-border payments, Banking
Cross-border payments, Remittances
Founder
Chris Larsen, Jed McCaleb
Jed McCaleb, Joyce Kim
Website
Volatility & Risk
Drawdown from ATH
64.4%
81.9%

Technology Comparison

Use Cases & Ecosystem

Ripple Why Ripple?
  • Transactions settle in 3-5 seconds for $0.0002
  • Real partnerships with banks and payment providers
  • SEC lawsuit largely resolved - regulatory clarity
Learn more about Ripple
Stellar Why Stellar?
  • Built for cross-border payments and remittances
  • Non-profit foundation with clear mission
  • Partnerships with MoneyGram and various banks
Learn more about Stellar

RippleRipple Risks

  • Large portion held by Ripple Labs - centralization concerns
  • Not fully decentralized like Bitcoin or Ethereum

StellarStellar Risks

  • Slower adoption than initially promised
  • Limited smart contract capabilities

Investment Considerations

The Verdict

The payment twins with different missions. Both co-founded by Jed McCaleb, both focused on cross-border payments, both using similar consensus. XRP targets banks and large financial institutions. Stellar targets individuals and developing nations - financial inclusion for the unbanked. XRP has more institutional partnerships and higher market cap. XLM has more humanitarian focus and nonprofit backing. XRP moves billions between banks. XLM moves smaller amounts to people who need it most. Same tech, different philosophies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between XRP and XLM?

XRP was designed primarily for fast, low-cost cross-border payments targeting banks and financial institutions, while XLM focuses on financial inclusion and remittances, especially in developing countries. XRP uses the Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm, whereas XLM uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol.

Which token has faster transaction speeds, XRP or XLM?

Both XRP and XLM have similar transaction speeds, with block times ranging between 3 to 5 seconds. However, XRP supports a slightly higher throughput with up to 1500 transactions per second compared to XLM's 1000 TPS.

Is XRP or XLM better for cross-border payments?

XRP is often preferred by banks and large financial institutions due to its scalability and established partnerships, making it ideal for high-volume cross-border payments. XLM, on the other hand, is better suited for smaller remittances and financial inclusion in developing regions.

How do XRP and XLM differ in terms of use cases?

XRP focuses on cross-border payments and banking solutions, aiming to streamline international money transfers for institutions. XLM targets cross-border payments as well but places more emphasis on remittances and providing financial services to the unbanked or underbanked populations.

Who founded XRP and XLM, and how are their origins connected?

XRP was created by Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb under Ripple Labs in 2012. Jed McCaleb later co-founded Stellar with Joyce Kim in 2014, aiming to build a more inclusive financial network. Both tokens share a common origin but have diverged in focus and design.

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