docs/content/concepts/testnets.md

---
title: Testnets
description: An overview of public test networks that you can test Ocean Protocol applications against.
---

This page is a brief overview of available testnets. The [tutorials](/tutorials/) cover more details (e.g. how to connect to specific ones).

## A Spree Testnet (for Local Development)

By default, [Barge](https://github.com/oceanprotocol/barge) will deploy a local _Spree Testnet_[^1] on your machine: a local testnet not connected to any external public testnet.

When running a Spree Testnet, you can connect to a node at RPC URL [http://localhost:8545](http://localhost:8545) (called "Localhost 8545" in MetaMask).

Spree Testnet details can be found in the [Barge README.md file](https://github.com/oceanprotocol/barge#spree-network). You can configure the Spree nodes by editing the files in the `barge/networks/spree/` directory.

> Spree testnets are named after the Spree River, the main river flowing through Berlin, Germany, where many Ocean Protocol developers are located.

## The Nile Testnet

In the _Nile Testnet_[^2] all nodes are operated by BigchainDB GmbH.

> For developers building on Ocean Protocol, we recommend starting with a [Spree Testnet](#a-spree-testnet-for-local-development).

### Connect to the Nile Testnet

See [Tutorial: Connect to the Nile Testnet](/tutorials/connect-to-networks/#connect-to-the-nile-testnet).

### Nile Blockchain Explorers

There is a Nile blockchain explorer at [https://submarine.nile.dev-ocean.com/](https://submarine.nile.dev-ocean.com/). You can use it to check the status of a transaction, the balance of an account, and more. It uses the following symbols for Nile Ether and Nile Ocean Tokens:

| Cryptocurrency    | Symbol used      |
| ----------------- | ---------------- |
| Nile Ether        | POA              |
| Nile Ocean Tokens | OCEAN or SBT-OCN |

### Ocean Components Connected to Nile

There are several Ocean Protocol software components that are live, connected to the Nile Testnet, and operated by BigchainDB GmbH:

| Component              | URL                                          |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Node                   | `https://nile.dev-ocean.com`                 |
| Secret Store           | `https://secret-store.nile.dev-ocean.com`    |
| Aquarius Test instance | `https://aquarius.nile.dev-ocean.com`        |
| Brizo Test instance    | `https://brizo.nile.dev-ocean.com`           |
| Aquarius for Commons   | `https://aquarius.marketplace.dev-ocean.com` |
| Brizo for Commons      | `https://brizo.marketplace.dev-ocean.com`    |
| Commons Marketplace    | `https://commons.nile.dev-ocean.com`         |
| Jupyter Hub            | `https://mantaray.dev-ocean.com`             |
| Faucet Server          | `https://faucet.nile.dev-ocean.com`          |

> Internal note: The private "atlantic" repo documents the internal details of the Nile Testnet in `networks/nile/README.md`.

### Using Barge with Nile

If you run [Barge](https://github.com/oceanprotocol/barge) with the `--local-nile-node` option, then Barge will run a Nile node on your local machine (along with everything else Barge runs).

There might be many blocks in the Nile Testnet's blockchain, so it might take a long time for your local Nile node to sync, i.e. to download a local copy of all the blocks. **In the meantime, the local Nile node won't be able to do certain things.**

## A Ganache-Based Testnet (for Local Development)

A local testnet similar to Spree but launched by using the `--local-ganache-node` option with Barge.

> You shouldn't use a Ganache-Based Testnet unless you know why you're doing so. For example, a Ganache-based testnet can be used to test some smart contracts, but it can't be used with a Secret Store.

[^1]: Formerly called Ocean Protocol Testnet v0.1, it was announced as part of the Plankton milestone.
[^2]: Also known as the Nile Beta Network. Formerly called the Ocean POA Testnet.