PoolTogether V3 vs V5: Which Version Should You Use in 2026?

V5 lists seven networks: Optimism, Base, Ethereum, World Chain, Gnosis, Arbitrum and Scroll. V3 lists Ethereum, Polygon, Celo and BNB Chain. Ethereum is the only network on both lists, so your preferred chain may decide the choice quickly. V3 is the option to investigate if you need Polygon, Celo or BNB Chain; V5 is the option for Base, Optimism, World Chain, Gnosis, Arbitrum or Scroll.

A network listing does not mean every asset or pool is available there. Before sending funds, check that the specific V3 pool or V5 vault accepts deposits, which asset it takes and what strategy it uses. Confirm your wallet is on the matching network and has enough of its native token for gas. V3 documentation is marked legacy, so verify pool status especially carefully rather than treating the network list as proof that a pool is currently open.

Both versions advertise no protocol fees, but neither is cost-free to use: blockchain transactions require gas. You may pay gas for approvals as well as deposits or withdrawals, and the amount changes with the chain, transaction and network demand. Check the fee shown by your wallet before you confirm; a small deposit can be poor value if the transaction cost is high.

The no-fee claim also is not a complete cost breakdown for every pool or vault. The yield source and its mechanics can affect your outcome, and prizes are not predictable income. V3 does not publish a specific fee schedule or clear pool-level cost breakdown; V5 likewise calls for checking the selected vault’s terms and strategy details. Compare the likely transaction cost with the amount you intend to deposit, and do not count an uncertain prize as a way to recover gas.

Neither version is risk-free. Each lists two audits, but the audit names, scope and coverage of current contract versions are not established. An audit can help identify flaws; it cannot guarantee that a contract, every pool or vault, or a yield strategy will remain safe. Both models also expose deposited assets to possible smart-contract problems and issues with the strategy or underlying asset.

V3’s documentation is marked legacy, which adds a practical reason to check that the specific pool is active and accepting deposits before you use it. V5’s listed networks and vaults can have different assets and strategies, so do not assume a review of one vault covers another. Neither version offers a guaranteed prize or fixed return, and “no loss” describes the intended prize-savings model—not protection against technical failures or changes in asset value. If losing access to these funds would cause hardship, avoid depositing them.

Both versions require a compatible crypto wallet, a supported asset and enough native chain currency for transaction fees. You connect to the relevant pool or vault and approve the transactions in your wallet. Read each prompt carefully, confirm the network and destination, and check the asset and withdrawal conditions before you sign. This is a wallet-based protocol, not a conventional savings account with a simple account balance and predictable interest.

V5 may be easier to match to your setup if you already use one of its seven listed networks and find a suitable vault there. V3 may make more sense if you specifically need one of its listed chains that V5 does not list, but its legacy documentation makes confirming pool availability an essential first step. For either version, check the specific deposit interface and contract details; a general network listing does not guarantee that a particular vault or pool is open.

Pick PoolTogether V3 if you want a chance at yield-funded prizes on Polygon, Celo or BNB Chain, or if the particular V3 pool you need is available and you have checked its current status. Its chain list is the main reason to choose it over V5. Treat the legacy documentation as a caution: do not deposit until you have confirmed the pool accepts funds and understand its withdrawal conditions.

Pick PoolTogether V5 if you want one of its listed networks, especially Base, Optimism, Arbitrum, Gnosis, World Chain or Scroll, and have checked the vault’s asset and yield strategy. It offers a broader listed network choice, but not a guaranteed prize, return or safer outcome. Either version can suit you only if you are comfortable with wallet transactions, gas and contract risk. If you need dependable earnings, deposit insurance or a guaranteed prize, neither is a good fit.