Solana
Solana: A free public network for building and deploying onchain applications. Ranked #15 of 32 in Blockchain Platforms by our editors (7.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for developers building public high-throughput applications.
At a glance
- Editor score7.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forDevelopers building public high-throughput applications
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Deployment modelPublic
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Public Devnet and Testnet clusters support testing before Mainnet deployment.
- Programs can be written in Rust, C++, and LLVM/BPF-targeting languages.
- Native and SPL programs support token creation and other onchain functions.
Where it doesn't
- Public JSON-RPC endpoints are rate-limited.
- No managed blockchain service is provided by the Solana Foundation.
- Permissioned networks are not supported.
Our verdict on Solana
Solana is a public blockchain network for building and running onchain applications, including payments, tokens, DeFi, NFTs, games, and social applications. Developers write programs—the network’s equivalent of smart contracts—and interact with them through transactions and RPC connections. Its public clusters and development tools make it relevant to solo developers through enterprise teams, particularly those building public applications rather than private networks.
The development path spans Devnet and Testnet for testing, followed by deployment to Mainnet. Programs run in the Solana Runtime and can be developed in Rust or C++, as well as other LLVM/BPF-targeting languages. Deployment is CLI-based, and program data and state are held in separate accounts. Consensus combines Proof of Stake, with stake-weighted validator voting, and Proof of History; validators process transactions and participate in consensus. Staking and validator participation are also available to network participants.
Public JSON-RPC endpoints provide cluster access, but they are rate-limited. Solana’s documentation advises dedicated or private RPC services for production infrastructure, so teams should account for that operational need rather than treating public endpoints as a production service. Solana is free as a public network, not a conventional paid software subscription, and the Solana Foundation does not provide a managed blockchain service or permissioned networks. Choose it for public application development, program deployment, and onchain token functionality; consider another option if managed operations or private-network support is essential.
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Solana pricing
Solana fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | Public |
| Contract languages | Rust, C++, Solidity (via EVM-compatible efforts), and other LLVM/BPF-targeting languages |
| Consensus mechanisms | Proof of Stake (stake-weighted validator voting); Proof of History |
| Managed service | No |
| Cloud deployment | Not verified |
| Permissioned networks | No |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | solana.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Solana
- KaleidoKaleido brings consortium-chain operations, smart-contract tooling and hybrid deployment into one platform.9.2
- Hyperledger FabricFree, self-managed framework for permissioned consortium networks with configurable privacy and policies.9.0
- Amazon Managed BlockchainA managed AWS service for teams building applications on public chains or private Fabric networks.8.9
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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