Virtual TestNets
Virtually operated Web3 networks that replicate real blockchain networks for development, testing, and staging without using real assets.
Overview
Tenderly Virtual TestNets are simulated blockchain networks designed to mirror live production networks for Web3 development and testing. They provide developers with risk-free environments that continuously synchronize with real network states, allowing interaction without the need for real cryptocurrency or assets. This makes them suitable for local development, continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), staging, and public testing of decentralized applications (dapps).
Users can interact with Virtual TestNets through a visual dashboard and an enriched JSON-RPC interface, which includes both a standard Public RPC for typical dapp integration and an Admin RPC offering advanced "god mode" capabilities for full network customization. Features include an unlimited faucet for native and ERC-20 tokens, a publicly shareable block explorer, and real-time state synchronization with parent networks. These capabilities enable developers to deploy, verify, and debug smart contracts, simulate transactions, and manage wallets in a controlled environment.
What sets Virtual TestNets apart is their ability to replicate live network conditions with fast transaction processing and comprehensive tooling, including integration with popular frameworks like Hardhat and Foundry, and UI libraries such as Wagmi and RainbowKit. This allows teams to replace unreliable public testnets with stable, production-based environments that support collaborative development, iterative testing, and staging. Developers can also fork Virtual TestNets to create isolated instances for parallel development workflows.
Getting started involves launching a Virtual TestNet via the dashboard or REST API, adding it to wallets like MetaMask, deploying contracts, and optionally setting up CI workflows with GitHub Actions. Comprehensive documentation and integration guides are available to streamline onboarding and maximize the utility of Virtual TestNets in various development pipelines.
The Problem
Public blockchain testnets often suffer from instability, slow transaction times, and limited faucet availability, which hinder efficient dapp development and testing. Developers need reliable environments that closely mimic mainnet conditions without risking real assets or facing network congestion.
The Solution
Key Features
Public and Admin RPC endpoints
Separate RPC URLs for standard dapp integration and advanced network management.
Visual dashboard for management and monitoring
User-friendly UI to configure Virtual TestNets, send and simulate transactions, and monitor usage.
Integration with popular development frameworks
Supports Hardhat, Foundry, and client libraries like Ethers.js and Viem for seamless developer workflows.
Key Strengths
How Developers Use Virtual TestNets
Local development environment replacement
Developers use Virtual TestNets to code, test, and debug smart contracts, dapp frontends, and backend services without relying on unstable public testnets.
Continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD)
Teams automate testing and deployment pipelines by integrating Virtual TestNets with GitHub Actions to ensure reliable contract and dapp updates.
Staging and public testing
Projects stage full dapp environments on Virtual TestNets for manual testing, demos, community feedback, and contract audits before mainnet launch.
Works Well WithEthereumArbitrum OneArbitrum NovaBase
Blast
BOB
Boba
Fraxtal
Gold
Immutable zkEVM
Mode
Optimism
Polygon PoS
re.al
Avalanche
BNB Smart Chain
Fantom
Gnosis
Linea
Mantle
Moonbeam
Moonriver
Zora
RSK
Unreal
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Pricing
Free | Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Monthly) | Free | Custom pricing |
| Price (Annual) | Free | Custom pricing |
| Messaging | N/A | Priority support and SLAs |
| Support | Community support via Discord and documentation | Dedicated support and onboarding |
| Analytics |
Resources
Tenderly provides extensive documentation, API references, quickstart guides, and integration tutorials to help developers quickly adopt Virtual TestNets. Resources cover everything from launching testnets and deploying contracts to integrating with popular frameworks and setting up CI/CD pipelines.