How this ranking works
Every validator that's up and open to delegators is scored on what actually reaches your wallet — commission, uptime, vote success, skip rate, MEV pass-through, and how much stake it already controls. The strongest 70 rise to the top, rebuilt each epoch from on-chain data.
Two kinds never make the list: validators that aren't voting right now, and the handful charging 100% commission that keep every reward for themselves. When two tie, the cheaper and smaller one ranks higher — a small vote for the decentralization Solana runs on.
What separates a good validator from a bad one
A rank is a shortcut; here's what sits under it. Commission is the one number that compounds against you — it's shaved off every epoch, so over a year the gap between 0% and 8% is wider than it looks (the staking calculator shows the real figure). After fees comes reliability: a validator that misses blocks quietly pays less than its commission promises, however cheap it looks. And bigger isn't better — the largest validators are the ones the network needs you to pass over, which is why a strong mid-sized operator, or two, is the smarter home for your SOL. The full guide takes it metric by metric.
Where we land
Stake.Cake sits among the leaders here at 0% on both inflation and MEV. Don't take our word for it — the number's on the chain.
FAQ
What is the best Solana validator?
There isn't one best validator for everyone. The best one for you sits near the top of this list, charges the least, runs reliably, and isn't already holding a huge share of the network's stake. Sort by what matters most to you and start there. Stake.Cake, for the record, ranks among the leaders at 0% commission on both inflation and MEV.
How is this ranking put together?
Every eligible validator is scored on commission, uptime, vote performance, skip rate, stake concentration and how open its operator is, then sorted best to worst. Delinquent nodes and validators charging 100% commission are left out, and the list rebuilds every epoch from on-chain data.
How often is this ranking updated?
Every epoch, roughly every two to three days, straight from on-chain data. The current epoch and the last refresh are shown above the table.
Is the biggest Solana validator the best?
No. Size concentrates stake and weakens the network, and it says nothing about the fees or reliability that decide your rewards. A strong mid-sized validator almost always serves you, and Solana, better.
Are 0% commission validators safe?
Yes, when the operator earns from MEV and block rewards and has a real track record. What to watch for is a 0% headline that quietly rises after you delegate, so check the commission history before you commit.
Should I split my stake across several validators?
It is a sensible habit. Spreading across a few reliable, independent validators lowers your operational risk and helps decentralization; many delegators keep a main pick and try newcomers with small amounts.
How much does validator commission actually cost me?
More than the headline suggests, because it is taken every epoch and compounds. Over a year on a real position, 0% versus 8% adds up to a meaningful amount of SOL — the staking calculator puts a figure on it.
How do I know this ranking is objective?
It runs on measurable on-chain numbers, not opinion, and you can check any of them yourself. Validators that compete with us are ranked by the same rule, so the order reflects performance and nothing else.