In this article:
Learn how rent and fees work on the Solana blockchain. Although Solana is one of the cheapest blockchains to use, it works a little differently from Ethereum or Bitcoin.
It helps to understand two key costs: transaction fees and something called Rent. Both are paid in SOL, the native token of the Solana network.
This guide explains exactly what they are, when they apply, and what to expect when using Solana in Best Wallet.
What are Solana transaction fees?
Every action on the Solana blockchain — like sending tokens, swapping assets, or connecting to a dApp — costs a small fee. This fee is paid in SOL and is used to pay validators who process transactions.
These fees are very low. Most transactions cost less than $0.01, and many cost far less.
If you don’t have enough SOL to pay the fee, your transaction will fail. So always make sure you have a little SOL in your wallet before you try to send, swap, or interact with dApps.
What is Rent on Solana?
Rent is a one-time SOL fee that’s used to store certain data on the Solana blockchain, like your first time receiving a new type of token.
This only applies the first time you receive a specific token in your wallet. It’s how Solana covers the cost of keeping that token “account” active on the network.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
You’ve never held this SPL token before — for example, Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU).
You transfer your $PENGU tokens from one wallet to your Best Wallet.
You’ll need to pay a small amount of SOL as rent to open a $PENGU "account" inside your wallet.
The fee in SOL tends to be very low, but you will need a small amount of SOL to successfully deposit your funds.
Once that token account is opened, you won’t need to pay rent for that token again.
This process usually happens automatically in Best Wallet, as long as you have enough SOL to cover the rent. If you don’t, the transaction might fail, so it's important to hold SOL in your wallet if you plan to use Solana.
How much is Rent?
It changes slightly based on the token and the current network settings, but it’s usually just a few cents worth of SOL.
Do I get the rent SOL back?
No — once it’s used to open a token account, it stays there. You’re not charged again, but the SOL is held permanently to keep that token account active.
Key takeaways
You always need a little SOL in your wallet for:
Paying for transaction fees
Covering rent when receiving new tokens
Even though Solana is cheap to use, no SOL = no transactions. Keep some in your wallet to avoid errors or failed transactions. Read our guide on how to buy or receive SOL if you’re not sure where to start.
Need further support?
If you run into errors about rent, missing SOL, or failed transactions, contact the Best Wallet support team at [email protected] or open a ticket on our Support site.
Important Reminder: Never share your wallet’s private key with anyone, not even Best Wallet support.