Last reviewed: October 17, 2026. This guide compares projects that resemble Pi Network’s mobile-first earning model, but they do not all work the same way. Some credit an in-app balance, some have a live token or network, and some reward actual phone computing. Those differences matter more than a large user count or a promise of future listings.
Quick answer: Bee Network, StarX Network, Torium, TikCoin and BlockDAG X1 are closer to the tap-to-earn or app-based mining experience. Ice Open Network (ION) has moved beyond its earlier mobile-mining phase into a live blockchain ecosystem. Acurast is the most different: it uses phones to provide computing resources rather than simply asking users to tap each day. None should be treated as guaranteed income.
Field guide / 07 projects
Beyond Pi Network
Seven mobile-first crypto projects. One important question: what can you actually verify?
The seven-project field map
Category ≠ endorsement
Research note: project categories summarize the guide below; they do not certify token value, security, liquidity, or successful payouts.
CryptoKashyap verdict
Choose based on what you want: a simple daily check-in, a project with a live network, or a phone-based task that contributes computing power. Before spending time or sharing identity documents, check whether rewards can actually leave the app, whether the token is transferable, and whether the official documentation supports the claims.
Important: “Mining” in many of these apps is a reward-accounting term, not proof that your phone is mining Bitcoin or generating income.
In This Guide
What counts as an app like Pi Network?
Pi Network popularized a mobile-first model in which users check in regularly, build an app balance, and complete identity verification before eligible balances can migrate to the Mainnet. Pi’s own documentation says unverified or unmigrated app balances are not transferable; migrated Pi can be sent or received on Mainnet. Read its official transferability FAQ.
For this comparison, an “alternative” means a project that offers at least one similar feature: daily app participation, a community reward balance, mobile onboarding to a crypto network, or earning rewards by contributing a phone’s resources. It does not mean the project is equivalent to Pi, is equally established, or will eventually have a valuable token.
We separate three things that promotional posts often mix together:
- In-app points or balance: a number shown by the app. This alone does not prove that the balance is a blockchain asset.
- On-chain token: an asset that can be checked on a public blockchain explorer. Transferability, exchange support and liquidity still need separate verification.
- Real earning activity: rewards tied to a defined task or contribution. The amount, eligibility rules, costs and ability to withdraw still matter.
Quick comparison: 7 Pi Network alternatives
How to read this table: official project pages can establish what a team says its product does; they do not independently prove every claim, token value, exchange liquidity or a user’s ability to withdraw. The table is a starting point for due diligence, not a ranking of investments.
CryptoKashyap decision guide
Which option fits your goal?
Closest to daily tap-to-earn
Bee Network, StarX, Torium and BlockDAG X1 have app-based participation or reward balances. Pick these only if you accept that an in-app balance may not be withdrawable.
Interested in a live network/token
Investigate ION or Acurast first, but verify the exact token, wallet route, migration terms and current market access. A live network is not proof that every user earns a profit.
Willing to wait for a future launch
Torium’s official roadmap still places mainnet and TGE in 2027. Treat pre-mainnet balances as speculative, not cash or guaranteed future tokens.
Want actual income now?
None of these is a dependable income recommendation based on the evidence reviewed here. Do not spend money, provide sensitive identity data, or count projected rewards as earnings without a verified withdrawal path.
Evidence standard: “official source found” means the project published the information; it does not mean CryptoKashyap independently verified payouts, liquidity, security, or the project’s claims.
The 7 projects, checked individually
1. Bee Network — a community-led Web3 app
Why it resembles Pi: Bee Network offers a mobile app built around community participation and a wider Web3 portal. Its official website links to the app and a white paper.
Evidence check: the existence of an official app and project documentation is verifiable. That does not, by itself, prove that every balance displayed in the app is transferable or that a user can cash out. I could not establish a universally available withdrawal route from the official material reviewed for this article.
Before joining: use the links from Bee Network’s official website, read the current white paper and terms, and look for an explicit explanation of mainnet migration, token contracts, withdrawal restrictions and data handling. Do not rely on screenshots of other users’ balances as proof of payment.
CryptoKashyap assessment: a candidate for readers who want a community app, but verify transferability rather than assuming that points equal spendable crypto.
2. StarX Network — mobile rewards with a token plan
Why it resembles Pi: StarX presents a mobile-first project with a reward balance and a community-driven ecosystem. Its official website publishes STRX information and a white paper, and its official community channel still shares a Google Play URL. However, a third-party app tracker reports that the app was removed from Google Play in October 2025. Because store availability can change, the old store URL is not proof that the app is currently downloadable: check the independent app-availability report and confirm directly in Google Play before installing.
Evidence check: an app listing and a published token plan are useful starting evidence, not proof that rewards can be sold or withdrawn. The current status deserves extra caution: a third-party tracker reports the app is no longer on Google Play, while StarX community posts continue to reference the store URL. That discrepancy is not proof of fraud, but it means users should verify current distribution, developer identity, the official contract, supported network, exchange markets and unlock rules before proceeding.
Before joining: confirm the developer name matches the official site, check recent update history and app permissions, and never install a file from an unsolicited message. Do not pay an activation fee to unlock a supposed reward.
CryptoKashyap assessment: treat the reward balance as speculative until you can independently verify a valid token and a working transfer path.
3. Torium — daily sessions, with mainnet still ahead
Why it resembles Pi: Torium’s official download page describes a mobile app where users start a mining session about every 24 hours.
Evidence check: the official page currently labels the testnet as live and mainnet as targeted for 2027. That is a material distinction: an app can display a balance before the network and token transfer system are fully available.
Before joining: check the official Torium download page and its current white paper and roadmap. Do not treat an expected 2027 milestone as already delivered, and do not assign a cash value to an in-app balance without a verifiable transfer route.
CryptoKashyap assessment: an early-stage, speculative option for people comfortable waiting; not a substitute for an established way to earn or withdraw crypto today.
4. TikCoin — rewards tied to social engagement
Why it resembles Pi: TikCoin describes an engagement-based model in which activity on a social platform is intended to earn TIK rewards.
Evidence check: its official website describes KYC, a 14-consecutive-day activity condition, and staged unlocking: 30% in the first month, followed by another 10% per month. The roadmap names October 10, 2026 for a global exchange-listing phase. That date has passed, but the existence of a roadmap is not evidence that a listing occurred or that every account can withdraw. We did not independently verify a working withdrawal for this article; check current exchange markets and the official contract before treating TIK as tradable.
Before joining: confirm whether the October 10, 2026 listing milestone actually occurred, whether TikWallet can send tokens to an external address, the official contract address and whether any reward is conditional on referrals or identity checks. Be careful about handing over an ID to a project before understanding its privacy and retention terms.
CryptoKashyap assessment: Milestone needs re-checking The roadmap date has passed; verify that actual trading and withdrawals work before counting any TIK balance as usable crypto.
5. Ice Open Network (ION) — a project that has evolved
Why it belongs here: Ice Network became known to many users through a mobile participation/mining model, but the current project is broader than a daily tap app. Official documentation describes the ION blockchain and its native token; the project announced that its mainnet launched in January 2025 and later described the migration from ICE to ION.
Evidence check: ION has official network documentation and a token ecosystem. However, users must distinguish a historical ICE balance, any migration eligibility and the current ION asset. A live token does not automatically mean every earlier app balance has been migrated or is withdrawable.
Before joining or migrating: start from Ice Open Network’s official site and its official token documentation. Confirm migration instructions and token contracts directly in official documentation. Ignore unsolicited support accounts and never share a recovery phrase.
CryptoKashyap assessment: more developed than a project that only promises a future mainnet, but its history and token migration make careful verification essential.
6. Acurast — real phone-based computing, not a daily tap
Why it is different: Acurast uses smartphone hardware to provide decentralized computing. It is not simply an app that credits points for pressing a button. Its official announcement says the ACU mainnet and token generation event launched on January 20, 2026, and its documentation describes ACU’s role in network fees and rewards.
Evidence check: the project publishes network and token documentation. This is a different model from Pi-style daily check-ins, so participants should evaluate device requirements, eligible tasks, resource use and the reward model rather than comparing only app balances.
Before participating: read the official Acurast documentation, especially the compute-provider and rewards instructions. Confirm device compatibility, battery/data impact, minimum requirements and the current withdrawal route. Do not assume that installing the app alone guarantees rewards.
CryptoKashyap assessment: the most technically distinct option on this list. Better suited to readers willing to understand how phone-based compute works than to people seeking a one-tap routine.
7. BlockDAG X1 — a mobile reward app linked to BDAG
Why it resembles Pi: the BlockDAG X1 app is presented as a mobile-first way to accumulate BDAG rewards through app participation. The official project page describes daily/hourly earning mechanics and links to the app.
Evidence check: the official project makes claims about BDAG availability and the X1 ecosystem. Because the project has had staged claims and release milestones, readers should independently verify current token contracts, exchange order books, liquidity, vesting and whether the balance shown in X1 can be transferred now. A project website’s claim that a token is live is not a substitute for checking the actual network and withdrawal route.
Before joining: begin at the official X1 product page. Confirm the store listing and developer, and avoid unofficial APKs or websites that imitate the project. Never buy a miner or pay to unlock an app balance just because a promotion implies that it will increase future rewards.
CryptoKashyap assessment: a close match to the app-based reward format, but verify the actual path from in-app balance to a wallet before treating rewards as usable crypto.
Our practical verdict — based on verifiable status, not hype
- For a Pi-style daily routine: compare Bee Network, StarX, Torium and BlockDAG X1 by app availability, transfer rules and account conditions. None gets a “safe payout” endorsement from this review.
- For a project with a live technical network: Acurast is a different category because its own January 20, 2026 announcement says mainnet and TGE are live. This verifies the project’s announcement, not the profitability of running a phone.
- For an evolving token ecosystem: ION has official blockchain/token documentation and published migration guidance. Confirm which asset and migration route apply to your own balance.
- For an early-stage project: Torium’s official site says mainnet is planned for 2027. Do not value its pre-mainnet app balance as spendable money.
- For StarX and TikCoin: check the evidence again before joining. StarX’s store availability is unclear from the sources reviewed; TikCoin’s stated October 10, 2026 listing milestone has passed and needs current confirmation.
Bottom line: the best choice is the one whose current app, token contract, withdrawal rules and real transfer path you can verify today. If you cannot verify those four things, do not commit money or sensitive data.
How to choose the right Pi Network alternative
Do not choose by the biggest community number, the highest advertised daily reward or the most exciting roadmap. Use these questions instead:
- Do you want a simple daily check-in? Compare the app’s time commitment, permissions, referral conditions and what happens if you stop checking in.
- Do you want a token you can transfer now? Look for a public chain explorer, the exact official contract or native network, wallet support and an actual withdrawal procedure.
- Do you want to contribute computing power? Read the device and workload requirements first. Check power consumption, data usage and how rewards are calculated.
- Are you willing to complete KYC? Read the privacy policy before sending an identity document. Understand the provider, purpose, retention and deletion process.
- Are you being asked to pay? Stop and investigate. A fee to “activate,” “release,” “verify” or “unlock” a free reward is a major warning sign.
A practical rule: if the official documentation does not clearly explain how a reward becomes a transferable asset, treat the balance as having no dependable cash value for your decision-making.
The five-minute withdrawal test
Before committing weeks or months to a project, spend five minutes checking these items. If you cannot answer them from official documentation, do not assume the app will eventually pay.
- Find the exact token or network. Is there a native blockchain, a documented token contract or only an in-app points counter?
- Find the official explorer. Confirm that the contract address is linked from the project’s official documentation, not copied from a random social post.
- Read the withdrawal rules. Check minimum amounts, KYC, vesting, lockups, fees, geographic restrictions and whether external transfers are enabled.
- Check liquidity independently. A token page or exchange listing announcement does not guarantee that you can sell at a fair price. Look for a real market and usable order-book depth.
- Test with a small amount only if eligible. If you already have transferable tokens, verify the wallet address and network carefully. Never risk funds you cannot afford to lose just to test an app.
Red flags that should make you stop
- An app, website or support agent asks for your wallet seed phrase or private key.
- You must send crypto first to release a supposedly free balance.
- The app promises guaranteed profits, a guaranteed listing price or a fixed future dollar value.
- The project uses referral pressure but gives no clear technical explanation of its network or token.
- Official app links lead to an unrelated developer, a lookalike domain or an APK sent privately.
- Withdrawal rules keep changing, support cannot explain the process, or you can only see an in-app balance with no verifiable transfer route.
- The project advertises “mining Bitcoin” but actually awards a separate token that is not Bitcoin (BTC).
For a more detailed warning-sign checklist, see our guide to spotting fake Bitcoin mining apps.
How CryptoKashyap evaluates these projects
This is an evidence-led comparison, not a claim that we personally tested every app or received a payout from each one. For this review, we checked the official project websites, available official documentation and relevant app-store listings on October 17, 2026. Project pages can change, and official claims are not the same as independent verification.
How to interpret the evidence
- Primary evidence: official documentation, project announcements, app-store listings and network explorers establish what is publicly stated or technically visible.
- Independent cross-check: where app availability is disputed, we note third-party tracking rather than treating a project-owned download link as conclusive.
- Not verified: we did not conduct payout tests for all seven projects, certify their security, or independently confirm every exchange market, withdrawal, or user balance.
- Decision rule: if the token contract, current withdrawal instructions or listing status cannot be verified, consider that a material unknown—not a promise that the issue will be resolved later.
We distinguish between (1) an app or project being publicly available, (2) a network or token being live, and (3) a user being able to withdraw or sell a reward. We do not assign a token price, predict future listings or call a project legitimate solely because it has a large community or a polished website.
Where the public evidence did not establish current withdrawals or transferability, we say so. Recheck the linked official sources before signing up because project stages, terms and availability may change.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best apps like Pi Network?
Bee Network, StarX Network, Torium, TikCoin, Ice Open Network, Acurast and BlockDAG X1 are worth comparing for different reasons. They do not all use the same earning model, and none guarantees income. Check the current token and withdrawal status before joining.
Which app is most similar to Pi Network?
Bee Network, StarX, Torium, TikCoin and BlockDAG X1 are closer to the app-based participation or reward-balance model. Acurast is different because it focuses on smartphone-based computing.
Are apps like Pi Network really mining cryptocurrency?
Not necessarily. Many use “mining” to describe app participation or reward credits. That does not mean your phone is mining Bitcoin or that the balance is a transferable blockchain token.
Can I withdraw Bee Network coins?
Do not assume that an in-app Bee balance is withdrawable. Check Bee Network’s official documentation for current migration, token, wallet and withdrawal rules, and confirm that the instructions apply to your account.
Is Torium mainnet live?
At the time this article was reviewed, Torium’s official download page described its testnet as live and mainnet as targeted for 2027. Recheck the official roadmap for changes; a target date is not proof of a completed launch.
Is Acurast the same as tap-to-mine?
No. Acurast describes a smartphone-based decentralized computing network. Participation may depend on device capabilities, workloads and reward rules rather than a simple daily tap.
Does a listed token mean I can withdraw my app rewards?
No. A project may have a token or exchange listing while individual app balances remain subject to migration, KYC, vesting, eligibility or claim rules. Verify the exact process for your balance.
Should I pay to unlock a mining-app balance?
Be very cautious. Do not send cryptocurrency to a wallet or individual to release a supposedly free reward. Independently verify any legitimate network fee in official documentation and never trust a message from an unsolicited support account.
Do I need KYC for Pi-style apps?
It depends on the project and the action you want to take. Some require identity verification before migration or withdrawal. Read the privacy policy and current rules before submitting an ID.
Can these apps guarantee free income?
No. Rewards can be worthless, locked, non-transferable or too costly to withdraw. Treat all projected future value as uncertain, and never spend money you cannot afford to lose based on a promised token reward.
Official sources checked
- Pi Network — transferability and migration FAQ
- Bee Network — official website
- StarX Network — official website and third-party app availability record. Confirm current availability directly in Google Play before installing.
- Torium — official app and network status page
- TikCoin — official website and roadmap
- Ice Open Network — official token documentation and mainnet announcement
- Acurast — mainnet and token launch announcement and official documentation
- BlockDAG X1 — official product page
Related CryptoKashyap Authority Guides
- Tap-to-Mine Apps: How They Work and What to Check
- Bitcoin Mining Apps: Real or Fake? 25 Apps Reviewed
- Is Cloud Mining Legit? Safety Checks
Disclosure: This article is informational and is not financial advice. Project descriptions are based on public information, including official sources. We have not independently tested payouts for every app mentioned. Tokens may lose value, become inaccessible or never provide a usable reward. Always verify current terms and official download links before acting.