What are the latest Solana RPC updates and how do they affect your dApp?

Quick decision guide: How to handle Solana RPC updates

Solana's RPC surface evolves regularly. New methods appear, existing ones get deprecated, and cluster endpoints change. Before you update your code, decide which infrastructure tier matches your workload:

• Prototyping or hackathon: Use the public devnet endpoint or a free managed tier. You can test new methods without worrying about rate limits.
• Production dApp with moderate traffic: A managed RPC service with authenticated access and higher rate limits is a safer bet than a public endpoint.
• High-throughput trading bot or data indexer: Consider a dedicated node to get consistent performance and avoid noisy neighbors.

If you are unsure which option fits, start with a managed RPC service and monitor your usage. You can always move to a dedicated node later. For a deeper comparison of provider selection criteria, see our guide on choosing an RPC provider.

What changed in Solana RPC recently

Solana's RPC API is documented in the official Solana RPC overview. Recent updates have focused on:

• New methods for querying priority fees and recent performance samples, such as getRecentPrioritizationFees.
• Deprecations of older methods that are replaced by more efficient alternatives.
• Commitment level changes that affect how quickly data is available.
• WebSocket subscription improvements for real-time updates.

Staying current with these changes helps you avoid breaking your dApp when a method is deprecated or a response format changes.

Solana cluster endpoints at a glance

Solana has three public clusters, each with its own endpoint. The table below summarizes them:

Public endpoints are shared infrastructure and are not intended for production applications. They may return 429 (rate limit) or 403 (blocked) errors under load. For production traffic, use a managed RPC service or a dedicated node.

How to test new RPC methods on devnet

Before deploying changes to mainnet, test them on devnet. OnFinality provides a public devnet endpoint that you can use for free. Here's how to call a method like getHealth:

curl -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"id":1,"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"getHealth"}' \
  'https://solana.api.onfinality.io/public'

For WebSocket subscriptions, use the public WebSocket endpoint:

wss://solana.api.onfinality.io/public-ws

You can also use the official devnet endpoint https://api.devnet.solana.com for quick tests. To get devnet SOL, use the Solana faucet.

Understanding commitment levels

Many Solana RPC methods accept a commitment parameter that controls how finalized a block must be before the node returns data. The three levels are:

• processed: The node's most recent block. Fastest, but can be rolled back.
• confirmed: A block voted on by a supermajority of stake. More stable.
• finalized: A block with maximum lockout, the strongest confirmation.

Choosing the right commitment level affects both latency and reliability. For transactions that must be irreversible, use finalized. For real-time updates where speed matters more, confirmed is often a good balance.

Solana RPC method updates you should know

Recent Solana RPC updates have introduced or improved several methods. Here are a few worth tracking:

• getRecentPrioritizationFees: Returns recent priority fees, useful for fee estimation.
• getLatestBlockhash: Replaces getRecentBlockhash (deprecated) for fetching the latest block hash.
• isBlockhashValid: Checks if a blockhash is still valid, useful for transaction retries.
• simulateTransaction: Simulates a transaction without sending it, helping you catch errors.

Always check the official Solana RPC HTTP methods reference for the full list and request formats.

Public vs managed RPC: what to watch for

When Solana RPC updates roll out, public endpoints may lag behind or become unstable under load. Managed RPC services like OnFinality often update their infrastructure faster and provide better reliability. Here's a quick comparison:

For production apps, a managed RPC service is usually the safer choice. You can start with a free plan and scale as needed. See RPC pricing for details.

How to stay updated with Solana RPC changes

To keep your dApp compatible, follow these practices:

• Monitor Solana's official docs for deprecation notices and new methods.
• Subscribe to Solana's GitHub releases for client updates.
• Test new methods on devnet before using them in production.
• Use a managed RPC provider that tracks protocol changes and updates its endpoints automatically.

OnFinality's Solana network page lists supported methods and provides live endpoint status. You can also check supported networks for other chains.

Key Takeaways

• Solana RPC updates include new methods, deprecations, and commitment level changes.
• Public endpoints are fine for testing but not for production traffic.
• Test new methods on devnet before deploying to mainnet.
• Choose a managed RPC service for better reliability, higher rate limits, and support.
• Stay informed by following official docs and using providers that track protocol changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the latest Solana RPC version?

Solana RPC uses JSON-RPC 2.0. There is no version number, but methods are added and deprecated over time. Check the official docs for the current method list.

How do I get a Solana RPC endpoint?

You can use the public endpoint https://api.mainnet.solana.com or a managed service like OnFinality. For production, sign up for an API key to get higher rate limits.

What is the difference between devnet and testnet?

Devnet is for developers to test their dApps with free SOL. Testnet is for validator and network testing. Both are separate from mainnet.

How do I handle rate limits on Solana RPC?

Use a managed RPC provider with higher rate limits, or implement retry logic with exponential backoff. Public endpoints have low limits and may return 429 errors.

Can I use WebSocket for real-time updates on Solana?

Yes, Solana supports WebSocket subscriptions for account, program, log, and slot updates. Use wss://solana.api.onfinality.io/public-ws for OnFinality's public WebSocket endpoint.

How do I choose between shared and dedicated Solana RPC?

Shared RPC is cost-effective for moderate traffic. Dedicated nodes provide consistent performance and are better for high-throughput applications. Evaluate your workload and budget before deciding.

For more details on Solana RPC endpoints and methods, visit the Solana network page or explore RPC pricing.