Whether you are a developer, an airdrop hunter or newbie who wants to participate in testnets, you need testnet tokens and although people find it difficult to get these test tokens, others have started selling test tokens as a business. So, I am here to expose the secrets to places you can get these tokens.

For the purpose of this article, we shall focus on the base ecosystem; however, before we proceed, let us consider the difference between testnets and mainnet,  what test tokens are, and why we need them. So, what is a testnet?

What is a Testnet?

Once a blockchain goes live, it cannot be shut down. This means that even if there is an error in the coding, nothing can be done so, this is where testnets come in.

Testnest is short for “Test Network”. It is an alternative blockchain built solely for testing the purpose of a blockchain before it goes live. For example, if a blockchain wants to be able to perform one million transactions per seconds, this blockchain will first undergo a testing phase to ensure that it meets its purpose.

For this testing phase, users need a testnet faucet where they can get test tokens like Sepolia Eth, USDC, USDT, and many more. This is to ensure that users do not lose their real funds while trying to interact with the test network.

This is also why various projects host testnet campaigns, hackathons and bug contests to ensure that the project is perfect for deployment on mainnet.

Mainnet

Mainnet is short for “MAIN NETWORK”, and it simply means that the project has gone live. Only real funds are used in mainnet. But why do we need testnets?

IMPORTANCE OF TESTNETS

1. Testnets are used for testing the functions of a smart contract

2. It is used to spot errors in development as well as upgrading the network

3. Interactions made during testnets help to build community around a project.

4. It fosters a learning opportunity for both crypto enthusiasts and developers to understand how the blockchain is built.

Testnet Faucets

As mentioned earlier, testnet faucets are places where developers and crypto users can get free test tokens to test the functionalities of their applications without losing their real funds.Most testnet utilizes Sepolia Eth, USDC, USDT, etc across various blockchains and for the purpose of this article, we shall focus on faucets that disperses funds on BASE Blockchain.

Top 5 testnet faucets on base blockchain.There are so many testnet faucets available however, we will be focusing on these 5 faucets where you can get test tokens on base blockchain.

1. Alchemy faucet: Alchemy empower developers to build great applications that tap into the blockchain revolution. They offer 0.1 Base Sepolia ETH to users every 72 hours. All you need is to create a free alchemy account.

2. Superchain Faucet:  Superchain faucets allows users to claim a minimum amount of 0.1 test ETH every 24 hours. All you need to do is to signin, connect github and your wallet address to claim. You can also claim a maximum of 1 ETH daily when you verify your onchain identity as well as the opportunity to bridge your funds to several blockchains.

3. Thirdweb Faucet : Thirdweb is a full-stack web3 development platform. Their    base Sepolia testnet faucet allows developers to connect their wallet through EOA or social logins and claim Base Sepolia testnet funds. Users can claim 0.01 Eth every 24 hours.

4. Quicknode faucet: Quicknode is a leading blockchain infrastructure where users can Learn, Build, and Scale their apps with fast, reliable APIs & tooling across 60+ blockchains  Their faucet  displaces 0.05 ETH just by connecting your wallet and as much as 0.1 ETH by posting about them on X. Users also have the opportunity to reclaim every 12 hours.

5. Ethereum Ecosystem Faucet:   This is an Ethereum Faucet running on the Base Sepolia Testnet however,  you need a valid Ethereum Name Service (ENS) name to be able to mine the Base Sepolia Testnet ETH on this page.

In conclusion, testnets provide a risk-free environment to experiment, innovate, and prepare for real-world applications. The availability of reliable testnet faucets on the Base blockchain ensures that users can easily access test tokens to explore the base ecosystem and by utilizing these top 5 faucets discussed, you are well-equipped to begin your journey on the Base blockchain.

Have you ever used any of these faucets? Will you be trying them out?