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, and decentralization contribution. These tools make comparison easy:
Validators.app: View metrics such as APY, commission, vote performance, and skip rate. Sort and filter based on what matters most to you.
Topvalidators.app: Ranks validators by performance, trust signals, and user activity.
Tip: Avoid staking only with the very largest validators. Spreading stake across the network helps support decentralization.
What to look for in a validator
- 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.