he essential resources you need in order to start mining bitcoin are dedicated hardware, and Bitcoin mining software. The hardware component includes computer systems designed with the sole purpose of mining Bitcoin, also called application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) miners.

As for the software portion, its primary task is to send the output of the mining hardware’s work to the Bitcoin network and receive the completed work of other miners from the network. The software tracks both the input and output of these processes on your dedicated computer system.

It also includes additional features like displaying the speed and hashrate of your miner, along with stats like fan temperature and fan speed. As you may expect, there are a plethora of bitcoin mining software options out there, so to ease with the decision making process, we have compiled a list of the top mining software available to you in 2020.

CGMiner

CGMiner is considered by many to be the best Bitcoin mining software, and is also most commonly used.

It is written in C, and has cross-platform support with Windows, MacOS, and Linux, just to name a few. In terms of hardware support, it is also compatible with GPU, FPGA, and ASIC systems like Hexfury, BlackArrow, and Conterra. With a vast feature set and an active support community, it’s not surprising that this is so widely used by the crypto community.

Among its features, it includes remote interface capabilities, fan speed control, and full monitoring. It also has intelligent failover mechanisms to support multiple pools and prevents stale work submissions. You can manage most of the settings on the fly with a dedicated menu, and in the case of network outages, submissions can also be cached.

MultiMiner

Multiminer is a top choice when it comes to ease of use. Like CGMiner, it’s available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. However, whereas CGMiner and most other mining software are command line-based, MultiMiner is a desktop application with a relatively simple interface that makes it easier for those new to Bitcoin mining.

It is extremely versatile, as it lets you switch mining hardware systems between different cryptocurrencies, so you can effortlessly switch between Bitcoin and Litecoin for example. Since it is open source, MultiMiner also works with many mining devices like BFL/Bitforce and HashBuster Micro.

Additionally, you can remotely monitor other MultiMiner rigs using the MobileMiner Android app, and its integration with online services ensure that profitability data is always up to date.

EasyMiner

This Bitcoin mining software is only available for Windows, but EasyMiner has one of the best graphical user interfaces out of all of the options you have. Aside from that, you also have the option to mine various cryptocurrencies like Litecoin, and it is able to integrate with your crypto wallet.

EasyMiner comes with a “Moneymaker” mode and a “Solo” mode. “Moneymaker” mode is dedicated to mining of LTC on its own stratum pool, while “Solo” mode allows you to choose your own type of pool, the cryptocurrency you want to mine, and the custom hash algorithm corresponding to the chosen cryptocurrency.

Additionally, the mining software also integrates the NHIL (Network Hardware ID Layer) protocol to provide an extra layer of security for the pool stratum and wallet architecture.

BFGminer

BFGminer is another mining software that is written in C and operates in the command line. This modular application is compatible with FPGA/ASIC systems, and features dynamic clocking, monitoring, and remote interface functionalities. Because of this, it is very customizable, making it a preference for people who have a thing for tinkering.

Its other top benefits are its ability to simultaneously mine multiple cryptocurrencies, as well as hash on popular mining algorithms at the same time.

In the program, program code can be entered into the control file to set the configuration. After entering variable values following the BFGminer pool settings, all you need to do is save the .bat file and start the mining process.

BitMinter

BitMinter’s distinct draw is that its own mining pool, which it works with, is one of the oldest pools in existence.

It has a simple, easy-to-learn graphical user interface much like EasyMiner does, but unlike EasyMiner, BitMinter is compatible with numerous platforms, making it the best cross-platform choice for mining Bitcoin. In fact, this software is based on the Java Network Launch Protocol (JNLP) and actually does not need to be installed.

To get started with using BitMiner, you only need to sign up to the mining pool on their website and follow the instructions afterwards to configure your ASIC hardware. The work is recorded in shifts, and 99 percent of the mining income is paid out to the users.

Some of the mining hardware supported by BitMinter (and its mining pool) include Butterfly Labs (except Monarch), Block Erupter USB (and other Icarus-compatible hardware), Chili, Red/Blue Fury and Antminer U1/U2.

2020 has proven to be a disruptive year for the world and especially the crypto community. Whether you’re just getting into Bitcoin mining or a seasoned veteran looking for new and upgraded tools and resources, this list will be able to help inform your decisions. It’s important to find the best Bitcoin mining software that works with the hardware and platforms you’re using, and includes the feature sets or perks that suit your needs.