> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://avata-network.gitbook.io/avata/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://avata-network.gitbook.io/avata/guide/what-is-avalanche.md).

# What is Avalanche

![](https://701683877-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3VmZMmgAg0WDNq427Pdp%2Fuploads%2FU0vlP41OQSsqxJubF1wS%2Favalanche-4705590-3918021.png?alt=media\&token=3fbecaea-f1ff-4fca-9b49-801e4dff1d57)

Avalanche is an open and programmable smart contract platform for building DApps, with the fastest transaction speed (time-to-finality) of over 4,500 TPS. Thriving on its **high speed, low cost and properties of eco-friendliness**, Avalanche have the **maximum number of validators** among all the proof-of-stake (PoS) protocols available in the market.\
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With Avalanche, you can build fast and low-cost dapps, deploy blockchains — **both private and public** — that suit the exact needs of your application. AVAX is the native coin of Avalanche; and apart from paying the transaction fee, you can stake AVAX to secure the network. Furthermore — the requirement of hardware is minimal!