Avalanche (AVAX) vs NEAR Protocol (NEAR)

Avalanche is an open-source, scalable, and programmable layer 1 blockchain, particularly dedicated to the creation of decentralized applications and blockchain solutions for businesses. The technological infrastructure allows developers to build their own "subnets," fully customizable sub-networks that benefit from Avalanche's security and have their own rules and validators. The "subnets" are independent of each other but can communicate through the Avalanche Warp Messaging (AWM) protocol.

NEAR Protocol, more commonly abbreviated as Near, is a layer 1 blockchain operating on a Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism. The technological infrastructure of Near uses an innovative sharding method called Nightshade, which enhances transaction processing capacity and network scalability. Developers can create and deploy smart contracts using familiar programming languages, and the Aurora tool allows them to have full compatibility with Ethereum.