Solana's high-performance blockchain requires reliable RPC infrastructure. With over 2,000 live dApps on mainnet, choosing the right Solana RPC provider is critical for user experience. Here's our comprehensive comparison of the best Solana RPC providers in 2026.
Why RPC Choice Matters
Solana demands low latency and high throughput. Public or shared RPC endpoints often fail during traffic spikes, leading to poor user experience and lost revenue. Choosing the right provider can make or break your dApp.
Top Solana RPC Providers
Helius Best Overall
Solana-native infrastructure with advanced developer tools
- Free Tier25 RPS
- Paid PlansFrom $49/mo
- Latency10-80ms
- Solana OnlyYes
- SpecialtyValidator integration
Alchemy
Enterprise-grade with Supernode technology
- Free Tier20M CU/mo
- Paid Plans$49/mo
- LatencyLow
- Multi-chainYes (20+)
- SpecialtyCross-chain dApps
QuickNode
Global infrastructure with maximum performance
- Free Tier500K req/mo
- Paid PlansFrom $49/mo
- LatencyLow
- Multi-chainYes (80+)
- SpecialtyHigh throughput
Chainstack
Hybrid cloud with dedicated nodes
- Free Tier3M requests/mo
- Paid PlansFrom $49/mo
- Latency60-250ms
- Multi-chainYes (70+)
- SpecialtyDedicated nodes
GetBlock
Budget-friendly with good reliability
- Free Tier50K req/day
- Paid PlansFrom $39/mo
- LatencyMedium
- Multi-chainYes (50+)
- SpecialtyBudget projects
dRPC
Decentralized RPC with flat pricing
- Free TierLimited
- Paid Plans$6/1M requests
- LatencyVaries
- Multi-chainYes (100+)
- SpecialtyFlat-rate pricing
Detailed Comparison
| Provider | Free Tier | Paid Starting | Latency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helius | 25 RPS | $49/mo | 10-80ms | Solana-only projects |
| Alchemy | 20M CU/mo | $49/mo | Low | Cross-chain dApps |
| QuickNode | 500K req/mo | $49/mo | Low | High-traffic apps |
| Chainstack | 3M req/mo | $49/mo | 60-250ms | Enterprise |
| GetBlock | 50K req/day | $39/mo | Medium | Budget projects |
| dRPC | Limited | $6/1M | Varies | Cost optimization |
How to Choose a Solana RPC Provider
1. Consider Your Use Case
- Trading bots: Need lowest latency - choose Helius or QuickNode
- NFT marketplaces: Need reliability during mints - choose Alchemy or Helius
- DeFi protocols: Need high availability - choose enterprise plans
- Learning/MVP: Free tiers are sufficient
2. Evaluate Latency Requirements
Solana's speed advantage only matters if your RPC keeps up. For production apps, aim for providers with sub-100ms latency. Helius claims 10-80ms, making it ideal for time-sensitive applications.
3. Check Throughput Limits
Free tiers often have strict rate limits. As your dApp scales, you'll need to upgrade. Consider providers that offer easy scaling without complex migration.
4. Multi-chain vs Solana-only
If you're building on multiple chains, providers like Alchemy, QuickNode, or Chainstack offer unified APIs. For Solana-only projects, Helius provides specialized optimization.
Performance Note
Actual latency depends on your geographic location and network conditions. Most providers offer global infrastructure - test with your actual users to make the final decision.
Our Recommendations
Best Overall: Helius
Built by experienced Solana developers, Helius offers the best latency and specialized tools for Solana. Their focus on a single chain means every optimization counts.
Best for Cross-Chain: Alchemy
If you're building on Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana, Alchemy's unified platform simplifies development. Their Supernode technology provides excellent reliability.
Best Budget Option: GetBlock
Starting at $39/month, GetBlock offers solid performance at a lower price point. Good for projects with moderate traffic.
Best Enterprise: QuickNode
With the highest throughput limits and global infrastructure, QuickNode is ideal for large-scale applications requiring maximum performance.
Ready to Deploy?
Start with Helius for the best Solana experience, or Alchemy for multi-chain support.
Try Alchemy Free →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free Solana RPC?
Helius offers the best free tier with 25 requests per second, suitable for development and small projects. Alchemy also provides a generous free tier with 20M compute units.
Can I use multiple RPC providers?
Yes! Many developers use multiple providers for redundancy. You can implement fallback logic to switch providers if one fails.
How important is latency for Solana?
Very important. Solana's fast block times (400ms) mean slow RPCs create bottlenecks. For trading or gaming, sub-100ms latency is essential.
What happens if my RPC goes down?
Your dApp becomes unusable. Always implement RPC failover and consider using multiple providers for critical applications.