Top Solana DApps to Use in 2025: DeFi, NFTs, Perps, Payments

Solana projects matter right now because the network delivers real-world speed and costs: sub-second confirmations with typical fees well under one cent (see Solana’s official transaction fees) and ongoing performance work tracked in the Network Health Report.

In this guide, “best” doesn’t mean hype, it means projects that combine usage, security, and staying power: people actually use them, they’ve thought through audits and upgrade controls, and they keep shipping without breaking.

To keep things objective, we score picks with live, verifiable indicators; TVL, active users, trading volume, and developer activity, cross-checking official project docs and chain dashboards like DeFiLlama’s Solana overview. The result is a practical, beginner-friendly shortlist you can act on: what each project does, why it’s different, what to watch this year, and the key risks to keep in view.

Why Solana Projects Dominate in 2025 (Quick Context)

Solana’s advantage mixes real speed, low fees, and a growing builder base. Before we dive into categories, it helps to see how fees work, what Firedancer changes under the hood, and where users actually spend time today, so the picks below feel grounded in real usage rather than hype.

Performance & Costs

On Solana, transactions settle quickly and usually cost well under a cent. The base fee is 5,000 lamports per signature (a tiny fraction of 1 SOL) per the official transaction fees guide, and you can add a small priority fee (set via compute unit price) to speed inclusion during busy periods (compute budget & prioritization). Firedancer, an independent validator client by Jump Crypto, is designed to lift throughput and improve resilience through client diversity, giving apps more headroom without pushing fees up (see Firedancer overview and Solana’s Network Health Report).

Ecosystem Momentum

Solana has attracted more developers, better tooling (wallets, analytics, infra), and simpler user journeys, often “one chain, many apps,” instead of juggling multiple L2s. Independent data shows strong developer activity relative to other ecosystems. According to the Electric Capital Developer Report, the network currently has close to 4,000 monthly active devs.

Where Users Actually Spend Time

Most activity clusters around DeFi (DEX swaps, perpetuals, lending), NFT marketplaces, and payments. Fast-growing areas include Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), tokenized Real World Assets (RWAs), and AI/data tools. You can track these trends, like TVL, volumes, and active wallets, on public dashboards like DeFiLlama’s Solana overview, which helps separate durable adoption from short-term noise.

Read our full Solana review.

Also, watch our video on what the future holds for Solana:

Ranking Methodology (How We Picked & Scored)

To keep this list useful for beginners and pros alike, we use a simple scoring system with clear inputs. Each metric below relies on public, verifiable data where possible (e.g., TVL from DeFiLlama, usage from on-chain dashboards like Dune and Flipside, code activity on GitHub, and incident/bounty records via platforms such as Immunefi and network-level notes on Solana Status). We combine these signals into weights so the final ranking reflects real adoption, sound design, and the ability to keep shipping.

Criteria & Weights

Notes: We favor consistent signals over one-off spikes. If data conflicts (e.g., different dashboards), we default to the most transparent, documented source and explain any gaps in the project’s blurb.

Data Sources & Verification

We cross-check TVL and chain activity on DeFiLlama, query usage on Dune and Flipside, review project docs (tokenomics, audits, changelogs), scan repositories on GitHub, and look for disclosed issues on Immunefi and official status pages like Solana Status.

Top 15 Solana Projects in 2025 (Editor's Picks)

Choosing “best” isn’t about hype. We focus on projects users actually touch every day, that ship reliably, and that are built to last. Below are our first seven picks, each with a short overview, what makes it unique, quick pros/cons, what to watch this year, and the main risks to keep in mind.

1. Jupiter (DEX Aggregator & Router)

Jupiter is Solana’s routing layer for swaps, connecting to many AMMs and order-flow sources to find the best execution. Its APIs power wallets and apps across the ecosystem.

Unique features

• Smart routing
• APIs for swap/recurring/trigger flows
• Simple integration tools

Pros/Cons

• + Deep liquidity access
• + Wallet integrations
• − Routing dependent on underlying pools
• − Busy launches can still slip

2025 outlook

More retail-friendly flows (automation/recurring), broader partner integrations.

Key metrics to watch

• Daily swap volume
• Route success rates
• Integrations count

Risks

• Liquidity fragmentation across venues 
• Dependency on upstream AMMs

2. Phantom (Wallet & App Platform)

Phantom is a multi-chain wallet with strong Solana roots, offering simple onboarding, NFT support, and in-wallet swap/connect flows.

Unique features

• Built-in token swaps and NFT tooling
• Phishing protections
• Broad device/browser support

Pros/Cons

• + Beginner-friendly UX
• + Wide app compatibility
• − Custody is user-managed
• − Advanced multisig flows still app-specific

2025 outlook

Continued safety features and app integrations to reduce new-user friction.

Key metrics to watch

• Installs/active wallets
• In-wallet swap usage
• Support response quality

Risks

• Wallet compromises via phishing/social engineering
• Extension/mobile permission fatigue

3. Raydium (AMM/CLMM + DeFi Hub)

Raydium is a core Solana AMM offering both traditional and concentrated-liquidity pools with a long track record of ecosystem liquidity.

Unique features

• Concentrated liquidity
• Permissionless pools
• Integrated farming/launch features
• Open-source frontends

Pros/Cons

• + Depth/liquidity reach
• + Active upgrades
• − Impermanent loss on volatile pairs
• − Competition from other DEXs.

2025 outlook

Continued CLMM refinements and deeper integrations with routers/wallets.

Key metrics to watch

• Pool TVL
• Swap volume
• CLMM share vs. peers

Risks

• Smart-contract bugs in pool math 
• Oracle/market-volatility during spikes

4. Orca (DEX Focused on UX & Retail Onboarding)

Orca runs Whirlpools, a concentrated-liquidity AMM designed for capital efficiency and clean UX for retail swaps.

Unique features

• Whirlpools SDKs for builders
• Granular fee tiers
• User-friendly interface for LPs and swappers

Pros/Cons

• + Simple swap UX
• + Efficient CLMM design
• − Active LPing requires management
• − Gas/fees still apply on churn

2025 outlook

More automation for LPs and broader wallet/router integrations.

Key metrics to watch

• CLMM TVL
• Fee APRs
• Swap volumes

Risks

• LP range mismanagement during volatility
• Smart-contract issues in CLMM logic

5. Tensor (NFT Marketplace)

Tensor is a pro-grade Solana NFT marketplace known for fast trading tools, bids, and analytics-style views.

Unique features

• Power-user interface
• Collection bids
• Rewards programs for traders

Pros/Cons

• + Liquidity for active traders
• + Deep bid/offer tools
• − Learning curve for casual buyers
• − Market cycles can whipsaw volumes

2025 outlook

More liquidity incentives and analytics-first features to defend pro market share.

Key metrics to watch

• Daily GMV
• Active bidders
• Rewards participation

Risks

• Wash-trading incentives if poorly tuned
• Marketplace aggregation shocks

6. Magic Eden (NFT Marketplace, Multi-Chain)

Magic Eden offers a broad marketplace with toolsets for creators and traders, now operating across multiple chains with strong Solana liquidity.

Unique features

• Launchpad tooling
• Aggregation
• Trait offers
• Advanced trading views

Pros/Cons

• + Large audience and listings
• + Cross-chain reach
• − Fee/policy changes can affect creators
• − Intense competition

2025 outlook

Cross-chain aggregation and creator utilities remain a moat vs. single-chain rivals.

Key metrics to watch

• Daily listings
• Unique buyers; launchpad activity

Risks

• Policy/royalty conflicts with creators
• Liquidity migration to rivals during incentives

7. Kamino Finance (Lending/Leverage/Automations)

Kamino evolved from automated LP strategies into a full borrowing/lending and leverage venue on Solana.

Unique features

• Isolated and cross-margin markets
• Smart-LP strategies
• Unified risk tools for borrowers and LPs

Pros/Cons

• + One-stop DeFi hub feel
• + Transparent docs and APIs
• − Liquidation risk during volatility
• − Oracle dependencies

2025 outlook

Expansion of markets and risk tooling; tighter integrations with routers/wallets.

Key metrics to watch

• Borrow TVL
• Utilization
• Liquidations and bad-debt events

Risks

• Smart-contract/market-risk cascades
• Oracle or keeper failures under stress

8. Drift Protocol (Perpetuals & Derivatives)

Drift is a Solana-native derivatives venue offering perps, spot, and lending in one interface, aimed at fast, self-custodial trading.

Unique features

• Cross-margin accounts
• Risk engine
• On-chain insurance
• Builder docs via the Drift v2 documentation

Pros/Cons

• + Perps depth and active trader tools
• + Unified account model
• − Liquidation risk in high volatility
• − Learning curve for advanced orders

2025 outlook

Broader market listings and tooling for market makers and LPs as the on-chain perps niche grows.

Key metrics to watch

• Perp volume/open interest
• Funding stability
• Insurance fund size

Risks

• Smart-contract or oracle failures
• Sudden volatility causing cascades

9. Jito (Liquid Staking with MEV Rewards)

Jito runs a liquid staking pool where JitoSOL accrues normal staking yield plus MEV rewards, keeping capital liquid for DeFi.

Unique features

• MEV-aware validator set
• JitoSOL design focused on passing MEV to stakers

Pros/Cons

• + Boosted yield via MEV
• + Deep DeFi integrations
• − LST peg/liquidity risk
• − Validator concentration must be monitored

2025 outlook

More DeFi hooks and optimization of MEV distribution as LST competition heats up.

Key metrics to watch

• JitoSOL supply
• Validator dispersion
• LST liquidity on major DEXs

Risks

• LST de-peg during stress 
• MEV/validator incentives misalignment

10. Marinade / Sanctum (Staking & LST Router)

Marinade automates SOL delegation across many validators; Sanctum provides LST infrastructure and an LST Router that connects liquidity between stake tokens.

Unique features

• Marinade’s open strategy for validator diversification
• Sanctum’s any-to-any LST conversion to deepen liquidity

Pros/Cons

• + Stake decentralization and instant liquidity options
• + Healthier LST markets
• − Smart-contract/bridge points in LST routes
• − Yield varies with network conditions

2025 outlook

More LST pairs and routing integrations; institutional-grade staking flows.

Key metrics to watch

• Total staked via pools
• validator spread
• LST volumes

Risks

• LST peg/liquidity gaps
• Contract or router bugs affecting swaps

11. Helium Network (DePIN: Wireless & IoT)

Helium moved to Solana to scale its IoT and mobile networks, aligning token incentives with real-world coverage.

Unique features

• On-chain proof-of-coverage and carrier integrations, with the migration unlocking Solana-level throughput

Pros/Cons

• + Clear real-world utility
• + Active builder ecosystem
• − Execution depends on device adoption
• − Telecom/regulatory variables

2025 outlook

Expansion of mobile coverage and enterprise integrations as DePIN narratives mature.

Key metrics to watch

• Active hotspots/radios
• Data credits burned
• Coverage maps

Risks

• Hardware supply/uptime variability
• Policy shifts affecting deployment

12. Render Network (AI/Compute)

Render is a decentralized GPU marketplace for rendering and AI workloads; the network has upgraded to Solana with the RENDER token.

Unique features

• On-demand GPU supply
• Creator tooling
• Solana-based settlement layer designed for low fees and scale

Pros/Cons

• + Access to distributed GPUs
• + Creator/AI workflows
• − Supply/demand imbalances can spike prices
• − Job quality control

2025 outlook

More AI inference/render partners and smoother wallets/SDK flows as Solana rails bed in.

Key metrics to watch

• Jobs completed
• Active nodes
• Queue times/cost per render

Risks

• Worker reliability/verification
• Token-economy shocks affecting supply

13. Solana Pay (Payments & Commerce)

Solana Pay is an open payments standard for instant, low-fee transactions (with developer docs for QR flows, checkout, and merchant integrations).

Unique features

• Simple QR-based request protocol
• Wallet-native flows
• Shopify-grade merchant reach via approved integrations

Pros/Cons

• + Near-instant settlement
• + Minimal fees
• − Merchant education/onboarding required
• − Fiat ramps still needed in many regions

2025 outlook

More merchant SDKs and wallet tie-ins; broader consumer use cases (tipping, loyalty, micropayments).

Key metrics to watch

• Merchant integrations
• Successful payment requests
• Refund/chargeback patterns

Risks

• Regulatory changes on stablecoins/KYC 
• UX gaps between wallets and POS systems

14. BONK (Memecoin Infrastructure & Community)

BONK began as a community memecoin and now acts as a social/utility layer across many Solana apps (payments, rewards, listings).

Unique features

• Wide integrations inside wallets/DEXs/NFT markets
• Community-run incentives and partner programs

Pros/Cons

• + Massive mindshare and integrations
• + Onboarding vector for new users
• − High volatility
• − Concentration/whale dynamics

2025 outlook

More utility hooks inside consumer apps and retail-friendly flows if integrations keep compounding.

Key metrics to watch

• Exchange liquidity
• Wallet integrations
• Partner app usage

Risks

• Speculation-driven drawdowns
• Dependence on continued community incentives

15. Wormhole (Cross-Chain Interoperability)

Wormhole provides generalized messaging and bridging so Solana apps can pass assets and data to/from other chains.

Unique features

• Multi-chain connectors
• Relayers/guardians
• Primitives beyond simple token bridges for app-to-app communication

Pros/Cons

• + Broad chain coverage
• + Enables multi-chain liquidity and UX
• − Interop expands the attack surface
• − Dependency on external chain security

2025 outlook

More message types and safer bridging patterns as cross-chain moves from tokens to complex calls.

Key metrics to watch

• Bridge volume
• Active routes
• Security upgrades/audits

Risks

• Bridge exploits on connected chains
• Misconfigured app integrations

Other Notable Projects by Category (Fast Scanner)

Before we zoom back into individual picks, here’s a quick “scanner” across key categories so you can spot where traction is building. We’ll point to official docs for each project so you can verify features, risks, and roadmaps at the source, and use this as a shortlist to explore lending venues, enterprise RWAs, AI/data plays, gaming worlds, wallets/dashboards, and validator/RPC infrastructure.

DeFi Lending & Borrowing

Solend and Marginfi focus on risk-managed lending. Check each venue’s risk engine (collateral factors, liquidation rules), oracle sources (e.g., Pyth), and any insurance/backstop mechanisms in their docs before borrowing.

Enterprise & RWA

Ondo Finance brings tokenized treasuries and cash-equivalents to chain with KYC/AML onboarding and custodial safeguards. Review product pages (e.g., USDY/OMMF) and compliance sections to understand custody, redemption, and venue access.

AI & Data

Nosana offers decentralized compute/inference markets; Grass coordinates data contribution and access; Pyth provides low-latency price feeds. Compare centralization trade-offs, node/operator incentives, and data quality guarantees.

Gaming & Metaverse

Star Atlas and Aurory continue shipping worlds, assets, and gameplay loops. Track delivery milestones, playable builds, and economy updates to gauge progress and manage roadmap risk.

Wallets & Dashboards

Step Finance is a portfolio and DeFi dashboard for tracking positions across Solana. Backpack (wallet + app container) competes in a multi-chain world; prioritize security features, seed handling, and ecosystem integrations.

Validator/Infra & RPC

For staking and infra diligence, start with Solana’s stake pool program, validator guides, and JSON-RPC references. Favor client diversity, well-documented RPC endpoints, and transparent uptime metrics to support decentralization.

Airdrops, New Launches & Monthly Watchlist

Before you try anything new, rely only on a project’s official blog and documentation, and review Solana’s safety guidance to avoid fake sites.

Airdrop Radar

• Kamino “Points → $KMNO” seasons: Eligibility typically comes from using the app, depositing, borrowing, or LP’ing, which is tracked by the Kamino Points system (see rates/boosts and seasons).
• marginfi — mrgn Points: Activity-based points accrue from lending/borrowing and certain referrals; the FAQs explains how points are earned and how account health impacts participation.
• Grass — ongoing seasons: Distribution is run by the Grass Foundation; past criteria included 500+ Grass Points and a linked wallet before a cutoff: see Airdrop One criteria and the terms for how eligibility is defined in current seasons.
• Play Solana — $PLAY XP airdrop: Eligibility comes from XP earned through PlayDEX tasks (social quests, staking, device-related actions). Claims and instructions are posted on the official claim page; always navigate from the homepage to avoid fakes.

Stay sybil-safe: use a fresh wallet for experiments, verify claim pages from the project homepage/docs, never type your seed, and prefer in-app claim flows.

Fresh Launches (Last 90 Days)

Wormhole NTT expansions — Interoperability

• Native Token Transfers powering assets (e.g., HYPE/DOGE) to go multichain; interesting for liquidity routing.
• Early risk: broader bridge/interop surface. See NTT update and the HYPE NTT post.

JitoSOL ETF filing — RWA/Institutions

• A potential institutional on-ramp tied to JitoSOL; could deepen LST liquidity and visibility.
• Early risk: regulatory timelines and approvals. See foundation announcement.

Solana Mobile “Seeker” — Consumer/Mobile infra

• New hardware + Seed Vault and DApp store push on mobile.
• Early risk: device adoption curve and regional availability. See Solana Mobile.

Projects on Upgrade/Major Milestones

Key Trends Shaping Solana in 2025

Solana’s growth encompasses its new design patterns that change how trading, data, and real-world usage work on-chain. Here are the forces we see most often when evaluating projects.

DeFi 2.0 on Solana

CLMMs power tighter pricing and capital efficiency (see Whirlpools), while intent-based/quote-based routing gives traders better fills via market-maker connectivity (Jupiter routing). Derivatives venues keep expanding pairs and risk tooling (Drift docs). Native stablecoin rails remain core for settlement and UX (USDC on Solana).

DePIN Momentum

Real-world networks lean on Solana for cheap, fast settlement and device-level rewards. Wireless coverage proofs and mapping continue to mature, while compute marketplaces connect GPU supply with creators and AI teams (Render upgrade portal).

RWA & Institutions

Tokenized treasuries and cash equivalents introduce compliant yield with KYC’d access and clear custody flows (Ondo docs). Expect more on-chain settlement modules and permissioned venues integrating with public liquidity.

AI × Crypto

Inference/compute markets and job schedulers let developers rent GPUs on demand (Nosana docs). Data networks and oracles continue tightening latency and quality guarantees (Pyth docs), enabling agent-style payments and automated strategies.

Post-Firedancer World

As a second validator client comes online, higher throughput and client diversity should improve order-flow capacity and user experience, paving the way for richer, near-Web2 interactions across trading, payments, and games.

How to Evaluate Solana Projects

A simple investor checklist keeps you objective. Start with how the token works, whether real users show up, and whether the code and team can handle stress. Use public dashboards and official docs (each project’s own site) to verify claims before you commit funds.

Tokenomics & Sustainability

Look for a clear supply schedule (emissions/vesting), real value capture (fees, burns, or sinks), and governance that can adapt without handing unilateral control to insiders.

Adoption Metrics

Check whether users actually show up and stick around: TVL, unique wallets, MAU/DAU, retention, and protocol revenues/fees. Prefer steady trends over one-day spikes.

Security & Risk

Confirm audits and bug-bounty coverage, scan any incident history, and understand oracle/bridge dependencies. On Solana, also verify how upgrades are controlled, and see the official guide on upgradeable programs and authorities for what “admin keys/timelocks” mean in practice.

Team & Execution

Evaluate shipping cadence, funding runway, documentation quality, and community support channels. Public roadmaps and changelogs should match what’s actually shipping.

Tools

Cross-check data with a block explorer like Solscan (transactions, holders), fundamentals on Token Terminal (fees/revenue where available), and daily charge data on CryptoFees. Use previously linked dashboards for chain-wide context, and always reconcile numbers with each project’s official documentation.

Risks & Challenges for the Solana Ecosystem

Solana keeps evolving, but there are real risks to track. Use the links below to verify status, upgrades, and security assumptions directly from primary sources.

Network Stability & Throughput Incidents

Monitor real-time outage notes on Solana Status and quarterly insights in the Network Health Report as mentioned before. Greater client diversity via Firedancer aims to reduce single-client failure risk.

Smart-Contract & Bridge Risk

Interop expands the attack surface; review a bridge’s model in the Wormhole doc and understand upgrade controls in Solana’s upgradeable programs guidance before interacting.

Competitive Pressure

Ethereum L2s and app-chain stacks compete on fees and reach. Solana’s moat is unified liquidity on one global state; see the core architecture overview when comparing trade-offs.

Regulation in 2025

Stablecoin and KYC/AML rules can shift UX. Prefer assets documented by issuers like USDC on Solana and merchant rails with clear specs such as Solana Pay.

Getting Started on Solana

New to Solana? Here’s a short, practical path: set up a wallet securely, make one small swap to learn the flow, and keep a few safety habits from day one.

Wallet Setup (Phantom/Backpack)

Create a wallet and write down your seed phrase offline (no screenshots). Pair a hardware wallet for larger balances (see Phantom’s Ledger setup). Manage site connections via Trusted apps in Phantom or the Backpack settings, and only approve prompts you understand.

Check out our review of the Phantom Wallet for more details.

First Transaction Walkthrough

Buy a small amount of SOL through your wallet’s Buy flow, then try a tiny swap on Orca or Raydium. Finally, send SOL to yourself (another address you control) to confirm you can withdraw and receive.

Safety Checklist

Review approvals before signing; manage token/spend permissions using the SPL Token authority model. Be alert for phishing (always open apps from official sites). If an RPC endpoint misbehaves, switch to a different JSON-RPC endpoint in your wallet settings.

Closing Thoughts

Solana’s appeal is simple: fast confirmations, low fees, and a growing set of apps that feel usable on day one. If you’re new, start small and focus on learning flows; set up a trusted wallet, make a tiny swap, try staking or a lending deposit, and practice withdrawing back to your custody. From there, build a habit of checking official docs before you click, and judge projects by what users actually do: TVL and volumes that persist, active wallets that return, clear fee/revenue paths, and teams that keep shipping.

Prefer native paths over complex bridges, size positions for downside first, and treat memecoins and new launches as experiments, not core holdings. For DeFi, watch liquidity depth and oracle dependencies; for LSTs, track peg/liquidity and validator dispersion; for NFTs and consumer apps, prioritize wallet safety and reputable marketplaces. Revisit your allocations on a schedule (weekly or monthly works for most), and write down your rules so emotions don’t drive decisions.

Finally, remember that the space moves fast; use our monthly updates as a compass, but let your checklist, not headlines, guide the way.

Also on The Coin Bureau

• Is Solana worth your investment?
• Solana Use Cases
• Best Solana Staking Pools
• Top Solana Memecoins
• Best Solana Wallets
• Solana Blinks and Actions
• Solana vs. SUI
• Top Solana DEXs