When you stake SOL in Phantom, you choose a validator to delegate to. Validators process transactions and help secure the Solana network. Your choice can affect both your rewards and the network’s decentralization.
How to compare validators
Validators vary by commission rate, performance, uptime, decentralization contribution, and more. Luckily, there are tools that make comparison easy:
- Validators.app/validators: View metrics such as APY, commission, vote performance, and skip rate. You can sort and filter based on what matters most to you.
- Topvalidators.app: Ranks validators by performance, trust signals, and user activity. This can be a good starting point if you want established operators.
Tip: Avoid staking only with the very largest validators. Spreading stake across the network helps support decentralization.
What to look for in a validator
When choosing a validator, consider the following:
- Commission rate: Lower commission can increase rewards, but it isn’t the only factor.
- Reliability: Look for strong uptime and consistent vote performance.
- Decentralization: Supporting smaller validators can reduce centralization risk.
- Reputation: Some validators are community-run or actively contribute to the Solana ecosystem.
Ready to stake
See Stake SOL in Phantom with native staking to get started.