Which Are The Popular Bitcoin Mining Software?

Introducing Bitcoin Mining Software

Mined in January 2009, the first Bitcoin block called genesis block was placed in the blockchain its public ledger. While it was the process of mining that began ever since with a default design, it scales up the difficulty level as more and more bitcoins are mined. Thereby in order to combat the mining challenge, more advanced computer hardware and complementary software have been developed. 

Broadly classified into three types the following are the hardware used by miners mainly: CPU/GPU (Graphical Processing Units), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), whereas the choice for the software is broader. 

The following is the list of some of the popular Bitcoin mining software. 

CGMiner

One of the popular Bitcoin mining software amongst them, CGMiner is compatible with GPU/FPGA/ASIC hardware. As it is open-source software written in C, based on the original framework of CPU miner. As a cross-platform for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, some features include advanced detection of new blocks, monitoring, overclocking, fan speed control, binary loading of kernels, multiple mining device support as also remote interface capabilities. They come with efficiency to scale up to any size of hash rate without delays and is also good for solo as well as pooled mining. 

BitMinter

Been around since 2011 BitMinter works well for Windows, Linux, and Mac, claiming to provide a decent mining speed, high payout and has OpenCL (Open Computing Language) framework. The main aim is to make it easy for everyone to get bitcoins. Whereas the client needs to get himself registered with the mining pool after which software can then be used as it is a mining pool and software where it differs from the other options available. 

BTCMiner

Coming as an open-source mining software that can support multiple FPGA boards, where it is in hundreds and is limited by the number of USB host controllers helping in stale reduction by use of long polling and block monitoring with a power save mode as well as even overheat protection. While its system automatically chooses the frequency with the highest rate of hashes based on error measurement the BTCMiner does not require Xilinx software or license to start as it’s a ready-to-use Bitstream which is one of its advantages. 

50 Miner

An easy to set up software with an automatic detection device, 50Miner supports mining of Bitcoin as well as Litecoin. With a graphic interface and working on an automated mode, thereby only the login and passwords are needed as it requires no installation. It has many built-in widgets as well as settings stored in the configuration file.

DiabloMiner

As it is a GPU software, DiabloMiner uses OpenCL framework supporting an unlimited pool and even switch to another pool in case of connectivity failure and returns every hour to the first one. It supports both solo and pool mining and is compatible with Nvidia drivers as also up-to-date ATI Stream SDK. While the setting is cumbersome like most of the software.

BFGMiner

A mining software written in C, BFGMiner is ASIC /FGA which can hash on both scrypt andSHA256d working simultaneously further allowing multiple virtual currencies mining at the same time by making use of pool strategy as the program provides remote interface capability accessing from any location featuring fan speed control, overclocking and monitoring. 

Bitcoin Plus

This is not a software but a browser Bitcoin miner requiring no installation making use of the spare computer power but working out less cost-efficient over time especially in case you are serious about mining. This is on the positive side as its a good way to try out mining especially for those who aren’t sure about it and saves them from the process of software installation.

Similar software is available like Phoenix, poclbm, Remote Miner, RPC Miner, Bit Moose, etc.

Bottom Line

Bitcoin miners can work independently that gives them irregular but usually larger payouts or can choose to work in a pool where rewards are more averaged but regular with final results for both workouts similar. It all depends on the time devoted, choice of software, computer hardware, and knowledge quotient altogether deciding the success rate at mining. Whereas the best software is that which caters to the need, concurs with the hardware as well as other requirements like multiple cryptocurrency mining, etc. This is where expertise matters to the development of the underlying technology.