Best Solana Staking Platforms

Roughly 67% of all SOL is currently staked, with hundreds of platforms competing for that capital. We tested 25 of them directly, by staking through wallets like Phantom and Solflare, looping mSOL and JitoSOL in DeFi, and experimenting with restaking via Solayer’s early AVS modules.

After digging through the mechanics, fees, and actual yield paths, we’ve narrowed it down to 7 platforms that consistently deliver. Here’s how they compare across core metrics:

1. Phantom

Phantom wallet is the default staking platform for thousands of SOL holders, including the majority of our readers, and it’s easy to see why. Native staking is built directly into the wallet, with no smart contracts, no token wrapping, and zero risk of custody loss.

You choose your validator, set your stake, and start earning in less than a minute using a dead-simple flow. We’ve tested it across mobile and desktop, and both versions handle delegation and unstaking cleanly, with clear status indicators during epoch transitions.

Where Phantom really levels up is with PSOL, their liquid staking option that lets you earn while keeping the flexibility to exit or swap when needed. We’ve used both instant and delayed unstake paths, and aside from occasional liquidity lags on instant exits, it’s handled reliably every time.

Platform Highlights:

• APY: Up to ~9% with PSOL, ~7.5% native.
• Fees: 8% fee on staking rewards (not principal).
• DeFi Strategies: PSOL is currently staking-only but might soon be used in lending and LP use cases.

2. Solflare

Like Phantom, Solflare is a self-custody wallet built for the Solana ecosystem, but it leans harder into staking as a core identity. Over 20% of all staked SOL is routed through Solflare, and it shows in the level of care they’ve put into the validator selection and rewards interface.

Native SOL staking on Solflare gives you full transparency into validator performance, commission rates, and uptime metrics before you commit. That makes it ideal for users who want more control and clarity over where their SOL is going and how hard it’s working.

Solflare emphasizes control with its instant unstaking for a small fee, as well as the ability to rotate validators without unstaking, which are practical advantages for active users. We've seen whales use Solflare to optimize staking returns by splitting delegations across multiple validators, and earning up to 5% more APY.

Platform Highlights:

• APY: Typically ~6.5%, depending on validator.
• Fees: No wallet fee; validator commissions vary.
• DeFi Strategies: Use multiple validators to diversify reward streams while staying fully self-custodied.

3. Jito

Jito is the first staking platform on Solana to fully embrace MEV rewards, and it shows in the numbers. JitoSOL, their liquid staking token, pays out higher-than-average yields by combining base staking rewards with MEV tips from bundled transactions.

Unlike wallets like Phantom or Solflare, Jito is built specifically for yield maximization and DeFi composability. You receive JitoSOL immediately after staking, and just by holding it, your rewards auto-compound as the token’s value rises against SOL.

What really stands out is Jito’s massive DeFi reach, as JitoSOL is already integrated into dozens of liquidity pools, lending markets, and restaking protocols. We’ve seen experienced users rotate between Kamino, Orca, and Drift using JitoSOL to boost returns far beyond what standard staking can offer.

Platform Highlights:

• APY: ~7.2% average, with upside from MEV.
• Fees: 0.1%-0.3% on unstaking via Jito interface.
• DeFi Strategies: Loop or LP with JitoSOL across Kamino, Drift, or Meteora for boosted yield exposure.

4. Bybit

Bybit brings a hybrid CeDeFi approach to SOL staking with bbSOL, combining the simplicity of exchange staking with the flexibility of liquid staking tokens. It’s built for users who want yield but also want leverage, instant redemptions, and extensive compatibility with the broader Bybit platform.

bbSOL is a different beast compared to the other tokens we mentioned, as it can be used across Bybit’s trading suite or deployed into DeFi through RateX, Kamino, and Orca. We’ve tested both the Web3 Earn and Margin Staked SOL options, and the latter offers serious yield potential for those comfortable managing risk.

Using leverage, users can double their exposure and earn up to 10-12% net APR, but it requires watching stop-loss settings and understanding how bbSOL reacts to market volatility. Postponed redemptions offer better rates than instant exits, but can take several days to process, so timing matters.

Platform Highlights:

• APY: 6.5% base, up to 12% with leverage.
• Fees: 0% deposit, redemption fees vary by method.
• DeFi Strategies: Use Margin Staked SOL to leverage bbSOL, then LP or lend in RateX or Kamino.

5. Marinade

Marinade is one of the most advanced and widely used staking protocols on Solana, offering both native and liquid staking from a single platform. It’s trusted by over 10,000 users and more than 4 million SOL in deposits, with a clear emphasis on decentralization and validator performance.

What separates Marinade from the rest is its focus on risk mitigation and yield optimization. Native staking uses a smart contract-free setup with automatic delegation across 100+ validators, and features like Protected Staking Rewards ensure your yield stays intact even if a validator goes offline.

For DeFi users, mSOL is Marinade’s liquid staking token and can be used across dozens of protocols to stack yield on top of base staking rewards. We’ve seen mSOL paired in LPs on Orca and Kamino, lent on marginFi, and used as collateral on Solend for efficient yield layering.

Platform Highlights:

• APY: ~7.7% for both native and mSOL.
• Fees: No platform fee; validator commissions apply.
• DeFi Strategies: Use mSOL in lending and LP pairs on the Marinade cookbook section.

6. Solayer

Solayer introduced restaking to Solana, letting users earn rewards from both validator yield and securing network services like sequencers and oracles. You can stake natively to Solayer’s Mega Validator or mint sSOL, their MEV-enhanced liquid token.

Where Solayer differentiates itself is in infrastructure and ambition, with plans for NFT-based restaking portfolios and a growing list of on-chain AVSs. We've used both staking paths, and the platform feels built for serious yield stacking without compromising speed or custody.

Interestingly, sSOL is not yet tradable, but that’s intentional as it powers Solayer’s points program and early reward mechanics. Once composability unlocks, this could become Solana’s go-to restaking layer for active DeFi users and ecosystem contributors.

Platform Highlights:

• APY: ~7.6% for sSOL, native slightly lower.
• Fees: None; rewards include MEV and AVS yield.
• DeFi Strategies: Stake SOL for sSOL early and restake into AVSs once delegation goes live.

7. Binance

Binance has done a tremendous job creating one of the easiest ways to stake SOL, issuing BNSOL as a liquid token that tracks your staked balance and accumulates rewards over time. It’s a custodial offering built for users who want passive yield with minimal effort.

Much like Bybit, this is a product with very little required from the user, e.g. no validator selection, no network fees, and full integration other trading products on Binance. Where Binance goes further is in utility: BNSOL can be traded, used as collateral for loans and margin, or withdrawn to a Web3 wallet.

The 15% validator commission reduces net APR to under 6 percent, but for users already on Binance, the ease of staking without leaving the platform can outweigh the lower rewards. It’s best suited for holders who want liquidity and basic yield, not DeFi composability or validator selection.

Platform Highlights:

• APY: ~5.9%, with rewards auto-compounding into BNSOL value.
• Fees: 15% validator commission built into reward rate.
• DeFi Strategies: Use BNSOL on Binance for loans or margin.
  

How To Stake Solana

Staking SOL involves locking up your tokens to support network validators and earn protocol-native rewards paid out every epoch. The simplest way to start is by using a Solana wallet like Phantom, Solflare, or a staking portal like Marinade or Solayer.

You’ll first choose between native Solana staking, which offers maximum security and direct validator exposure, or liquid staking, which gives you a tradable token like mSOL, sSOL, or BNSOL. These tokens track your staked position and grow in value as rewards accumulate.

After selecting a method, you'll deposit your SOL and confirm the transaction in your wallet or platform of choice. Most options today offer one-click flows, but advanced users may also explore restaking, validator delegation, or reward compounding through DeFi integrations.

What is the Best Way to Stake Solana?

The best way to stake SOL depends on what you're optimizing for: security, liquidity, simplicity, or yield. Below are the most effective staking options in the current SOL staking meta.

Best ways to stake SOL today based on your goals:

• Beginners: Use a crypto wallet like Phantom or Ledger for simple native staking with full custody, or connect a Ledger hardware wallet for added security.
• Passive Holders: Stick with native staking via Solflare, or Marinade Native to avoid smart contract risk and earn stable rewards without touching DeFi.
• Yield Chasers: Stake via Marinade (mSOL) or Jito (JitoSOL) to get liquid tokens that accrue rewards and can be used in LPs or lending protocols for higher returns.
• DeFi Users: Loop mSOL or JitoSOL across platforms like Kamino, Orca, Drift, or Meteora to stack yield layers and maximize capital efficiency.
• Power Users: Use Solayer to restake SOL into AVS modules with MEV-enhanced sSOL rewards, or try leveraged staking through Bybit’s Margin Staked SOL for advanced compounding.
• Custodial Preference: Platforms like Binance and Bybit handle everything for you and rewards are auto-compounded, liquid tokens are tradable, and you never touch private keys.

How Much Does Solana Staking Earn?

Solana staking typically yields between 6% and 7.5% annually, depending on the validator set, staking method, and whether rewards are compounded. With native staking via Solflare, for example, locking up 100 SOL at a 6.5% rate over 24 months earns just over 13 SOL, translating to nearly $1,917 at today’s price.

This yield is primarily driven by protocol inflation, which emits new SOL each epoch to reward validators and their delegators. Since transaction fees on Solana are minimal, staking rewards rely almost entirely on this emission schedule rather than fee-sharing.

If you're holding SOL, staking is the baseline move to avoid inflationary dilution and earn yield passively. More advanced users can stack additional yield on top of this base by using liquid staking derivatives like mSOL or sSOL in DeFi protocols, where yield sources multiply through lending, LPing, or restaking.

Is Staking SOL Safe?

Staking SOL is generally safe, especially when done through reputable wallets, platforms, or validators, but like any on-chain activity, it comes with downsides. Understanding the risks helps you choose the method that aligns with your risk tolerance and strategy.

At a high level, here’s what to consider when evaluating the safety of staking SOL:

• Validator downtime risk: If the validator you delegate to goes offline, you won’t earn rewards during that time, but your principal remains safe.
• Slashing risk (minimal on Solana): Unlike some chains, Solana does not currently penalize validators or stakers with slashing for misbehavior, making the risk of losing principal very low.
• Smart contract risk: Platforms that use smart contracts (like Marinade, Jito, or Solayer) introduce a small risk of code vulnerabilities, though many undergo audits and follow security best practices.
• Custodial risk: Staking with centralized exchanges like Binance, Bybit, or OKX means trusting them with your assets, which introduces custodial risk if they halt withdrawals or face issues.
• Liquidity risk: With native staking, your SOL is locked during the cooldown period (typically 2-3 days), while liquid staking gives you tradable tokens but exposes you to LST depeg risk or DeFi protocol risks.
• Restaking risk (for advanced users): Protocols like Solayer offer additional yield through restaking, but users should vet operator performance, and Actively Validated Services (AVSs) reliability.

Final Thoughts

Staking SOL today means choosing your platform in a fragmented meta that includes native, liquid, custodial, and restaked options. Each approach comes with its own tradeoffs, from validator auctions and MEV yield to SLA rewards and composability risk.

Some users prefer baseline yield and simplicity, while others chase higher returns by looping mSOL or restaking into AVS nodes. Wherever you end up, understanding how the platform works is more important than chasing a flashy APY yield.