Developer's Guide: 3 Ways to Get Free Sepolia & Holesky ETH Test Coins
With the recent discontinuation of the Goerli testnet after 5 years of operation, developers are transitioning to two new Ethereum testnets: Sepolia and Holesky. These networks serve distinct purposes and offer unlimited test coins—sepETH and holETH—to streamline development and testing.
Sepolia vs. Holesky: Key Differences
Sepolia Testnet
- Launch Date: October 2021
- Purpose: Optimized for smart contract and dApp testing with fast sync and permissioned validators.
- Advantage: Unlimited sepETH supply eliminates bottlenecks faced with Goerli’s limited test coins.
Holesky Testnet
- Launch Date: September 2023 (replaced Goerli)
- Purpose: Focused on validator/staking testing, with ~1.6B holETH to address scalability.
- Advantage: Over 1.5M active validators—exceeding Ethereum mainnet and Goerli combined—enhancing stress-testing capabilities.
How to Get Sepolia & Holesky Test Coins
1. Node Provider Faucets
Alchemy Faucet
- Offer: 0.5 sepETH daily.
- Requirement: Registered account + 0.001 ETH balance in mainnet wallet.
👉 Claim Sepolia ETH via Alchemy
QuickNode Faucet
- Offer: 0.05 sepETH every 12 hours (0.1 with tweet).
- Requirement: Wallet with 0.001 ETH mainnet balance.
RockX Faucet
- Offer: Up to 0.3 sepETH/day (base 0.05 + social tasks).
- Requirement: RockX account + Discord/Twitter engagement.
Bwarelabs
- Offer: 0.025–0.1 ETH/day (Sepolia/Holesky).
- Note: Daily cap of 15 ETH across all users.
2. Community Faucets
Automata Faucet
- Offer: 0.1 sepETH + 0.1 holETH daily.
- Requirement: None.
Testnet Help
- Offer: 0.001 sepETH daily.
- Requirement: Just submit wallet address.
pk910 POW
- Offer: Mine sepETH/holETH (min 0.1).
- Bonus: Free coins via GitHub activity.
👉 Explore Mining-Based Faucets
3. Purchase Test Coins (Bisell)
For larger needs (e.g., complex contract testing), platforms like Bisell offer bulk Sepolia/Holesky ETH at low cost.
FAQ
Q1: Why did Goerli shut down?
A: After 5 years, Ethereum phased out Goerli to prioritize scalable alternatives (Sepolia/Holesky).
Q2: Can I use sepETH on Holesky?
A: No—sepETH and holETH are chain-specific.
Q3: How long do test coins last?
A: Indefinitely, but faucets may impose daily limits.
Q4: Is Holesky better for staking tests?
A: Yes, its validator-heavy design mimics mainnet conditions.
Q5: Are there mobile-compatible faucets?
A: Most support MetaMask mobile; check individual requirements.
Final Tips
- Bookmark reliable faucets for uninterrupted testing.
- Combine methods (faucets + purchases) for large-scale projects.
- Share undiscovered faucets in the comments to help fellow devs!