Infrastructure & Development Platforms
As blockchain technology continues to evolve, Solana's high-performance network has become a powerhouse for infrastructure and development projects. With its lightning-fast transactions and low fees, Solana provides the perfect foundation for builders creating the future of Web3. From development toolkits and node infrastructure to cross-chain bridges and data indexing solutions, the ecosystem offers essential building blocks for both novice developers and established teams.
In this curated collection, we'll explore the most impactful infrastructure and development tools in the Solana ecosystem. These applications are fundamental to creating robust decentralized applications (dApps), managing blockchain data, and scaling projects efficiently. Whether you're a developer looking to streamline your workflow or a project manager seeking reliable infrastructure solutions, these top picks represent the backbone of Solana's development landscape.
The Top Infrastructure & Development Projects On Solana
As voted on by Solana Compass users. Vote for your favourite projects to give them more exposure!
SQD Network provides essential developer tools and infrastructure for building on Solana through their comprehensive SDK and API suite. Their platform offers developers unified access to blockchain data across multiple networks, with specialized features for efficient data querying and processing that eliminate common development bottlenecks.The SDK includes extensive documentation and support for popular programming languages, making it straightforward to integrate blockchain data access into applications. What makes SQD Network particularly valuable for developers is their elimination of egress fees through an innovative tokenomics model, along with their focus on AI-ready infrastructure that enables the development of next-generation autonomous applications. Their worker network architecture ensures reliable data availability and processing, while their GraphQL API allows developers to retrieve exactly the data they need without unnecessary overhead.
Paladin stands out as a leading RPC node solution on Solana through its direct integration with validators running the Jito client. The protocol's architecture enables validators to become 'Palidators' with enhanced capabilities for processing and executing MEV opportunities, while maintaining perfect synchronization with the network and providing superior transaction execution services.The platform's infrastructure includes sophisticated components that leverage validator-level access to optimize transaction ordering and mempool visibility. Through its PALAggregator system, Paladin provides perfect price information within leader slots, enabling optimal trade routing and execution. This advanced infrastructure processes billions in monthly volume while maintaining high performance and reliability, making it an essential tool for validators seeking to maximize their node capabilities and returns.
Wysdom provides a comprehensive suite of developer tools and SDKs specifically designed for Solana blockchain development through its innovative computational notebook platform. The environment combines traditional IDE capabilities with Web3-specific features, allowing developers to write, test, and deploy smart contracts while leveraging AI-powered assistance for code optimization and debugging. The platform's integrated approach enables seamless interaction with Solana's ecosystem tools and APIs.The platform stands out for its collaborative features and AI integration, offering developers real-time assistance with contract compilation, deployment simulation, and interaction testing. Wysdom's notebooks serve as living development environments where code, documentation, and testing coexist, making it easier for teams to maintain and share their development workflows. The platform's focus on security analysis tools and best practices guidance helps developers create more robust and secure applications on Solana.
As a leading venture capital firm focused on Solana development, 6th Man Ventures has established itself as a cornerstone investor in the ecosystem's infrastructure and development platforms. Their portfolio includes essential infrastructure providers like Helius for RPC nodes and APIs, while their research and analysis helps guide technical development across the ecosystem.Through their builder-first approach, 6MV provides comprehensive support beyond just capital, offering technical expertise, strategic guidance, and valuable network connections to development teams. Their investment strategy emphasizes long-term value creation through sustainable project development, with a particular focus on tools and platforms that make building on Solana more accessible and efficient. The firm's deep understanding of both technical and market dynamics has helped numerous development platforms optimize their solutions for mainstream adoption.
Mayan Finance stands out as a leading cross-chain asset transfer solution on Solana, enabling seamless token swaps between multiple blockchain networks through their flagship Mayan Swap product. Their innovative Cross-chain Auction Protocol ensures users get the best possible rates when moving assets across chains, while their Integration SDK allows other projects to leverage their infrastructure for cross-chain capabilities.The platform has demonstrated impressive growth with over $470 million in total volume since its mid-2023 launch, highlighting its effectiveness as a cross-chain bridge solution. By focusing on user experience and leveraging Solana's speed and efficiency, Mayan Finance has created a robust infrastructure for transferring assets between networks, with support for Binance Smart Chain and plans to expand to all EVM-compatible chains. Their swap explorer provides complete transparency for tracking cross-chain transactions, making it a trusted solution for users looking to move assets between different blockchain networks.
In the cross-chain asset transfer space, OpenOcean has established itself as a leading solution for Solana users looking to move assets between different blockchain networks. The platform's sophisticated bridge aggregation system connects over 30 different chains, enabling seamless transfers while automatically finding the most efficient and cost-effective routing paths for cross-chain transactions.The protocol's cross-chain functionality goes beyond simple transfers, incorporating advanced features like cross-chain swaps with minimal slippage and intelligent routing that can split transactions across multiple bridges for optimal execution. OpenOcean's dedication to security in cross-chain operations is evident through their regular audits and multi-signature requirements, while their zero-fee policy makes them particularly attractive for users looking to minimize costs in cross-chain operations. The platform also provides detailed analytics and tracking for cross-chain transactions, allowing users to monitor their transfers in real-time.
As a cutting-edge developer tooling platform, Solforge empowers builders with advanced SDK capabilities through its native validator extensions and coordination layer. The platform's Ackerman product provides developers with sophisticated tools for managing distributed network extensions, while Forgemode offers selected projects special access to Solforge's innovative infrastructure.Developers benefit from Solforge's extensive toolkit that includes optimized transaction processing, flexible smart contract capabilities, and comprehensive documentation. The platform's focus on developer experience is evident in its provision of sample code, detailed technical resources, and strong community support. Through its native integration with Solana's validator network, Solforge enables developers to create applications with enhanced performance and reliability that wouldn't be possible with traditional development approaches.
Tapestry delivers crucial infrastructure for Solana developers by providing a complete social layer that can be easily integrated into any application. The protocol's architecture handles complex social graph management, profile systems, and messaging capabilities while maintaining true decentralization through on-chain data storage and leveraging Solana's validator network for infrastructure maintenance.The platform offers developers a comprehensive suite of tools including RESTful APIs, extensive documentation, and SDK support for major programming languages. With features like sub-second transaction finality, consistent global state management, and support for over 100,000 on-chain profiles, Tapestry significantly reduces the technical complexity of implementing social features. The protocol's focus on security, including regular smart contract audits and robust privacy controls, combined with its scalable architecture makes it a foundational piece of Solana's development infrastructure.
Electric Capital stands out as a leading infrastructure and development-focused venture capital firm in the Solana ecosystem. With nearly $2 billion under management and a unique engineering-first approach, they provide crucial technical expertise and resources to help build and scale Solana's infrastructure layer. Their team of engineers actively contributes code and technical solutions alongside their investment activities.The firm has developed essential developer tools like Codeslaw for smart contract analysis and produces the industry-standard Developer Report tracking blockchain development activity. Their investments in infrastructure projects across the Solana ecosystem, combined with their hands-on technical support and extensive engineering network, make them a cornerstone player in advancing Solana's development capabilities. Their approach to technical due diligence and ongoing engineering support helps ensure the robustness and scalability of Solana's infrastructure projects.
Koii Network stands out as a leading decentralized storage solution on Solana, offering innovative IPFS integration and content delivery capabilities through its network of over 1,800 active nodes. The platform's unique approach combines distributed storage with attention tracking mechanisms, ensuring content creators can not only store their assets efficiently but also earn rewards based on engagement through Proofs of Real Traffic (PoRT).The platform's storage infrastructure is built on their K2 settlement layer, processing thousands of transactions per second while maintaining true decentralization. Through the Finnie wallet and comprehensive SDK, developers and users can easily integrate with Koii's storage solutions, making it an ideal choice for dApps requiring robust decentralized storage. The attention tracking mechanism adds an innovative layer to content storage, creating a sustainable ecosystem where storage providers are incentivized through both direct storage fees and content engagement rewards.
As a comprehensive developer tool for Solana, Orion Tools simplifies the token creation process by providing an essential SDK and interface for generating custom SPL tokens. The platform offers a complete suite of tools that handle everything from wallet integration to metadata management, making it an indispensable resource for developers building on Solana.The platform's developer-friendly approach includes features like customizable token attributes, seamless wallet connectivity, and automated token deployment, all wrapped in an intuitive interface. For development teams looking to integrate token creation capabilities into their projects, Orion Tools provides the necessary infrastructure and documentation to streamline the implementation process, while maintaining the flexibility to customize tokens according to specific project requirements.
As an RPC node infrastructure solution, Firedancer demonstrates exceptional capabilities in handling validator operations and network communication. The system's optimized networking stack and efficient message propagation protocols enable superior performance in transaction processing and block validation, making it a standout choice for node operators and infrastructure providers.The validator client's modular design allows for seamless upgrades and maintenance, while its advanced consensus mechanisms ensure reliable network participation. Jump Crypto's implementation of parallel transaction processing and optimized data structures sets new standards for RPC node performance, offering the Solana ecosystem a robust foundation for scaling operations and supporting growing network demands.
Figment provides enterprise-level RPC node infrastructure and validator services for Solana, maintaining some of the highest performance metrics in the ecosystem with 98% proposer effectiveness and 99% voting effectiveness rates. Their distributed infrastructure architecture ensures consistent uptime while maintaining rigorous security standards, supported by both SOC 2 Type 2 attestation and ISO 27001:2013 certification.The platform offers comprehensive API access for institutional clients, enabling programmatic integration with existing systems and custom reporting capabilities. Their infrastructure includes advanced monitoring systems, automated failover mechanisms, and geographic distribution of nodes to ensure optimal performance and reliability. With over 500 institutional clients relying on their infrastructure, Figment has established itself as a crucial provider of enterprise-grade Solana network access and validator services.
IQ6900's Code-in protocol represents a breakthrough in decentralized storage solutions on Solana, offering a novel state-based inscription method for permanent data storage. Through its advanced compression technology, the protocol enables efficient storage of various data types including AI-generated content, memes, and digital assets while maintaining data integrity and minimizing storage costs. The innovative approach to compression and storage makes it particularly valuable for developers and content creators who need reliable, permanent storage solutions.The protocol's integration with IPFS principles while leveraging Solana's high-performance infrastructure creates a unique hybrid storage solution. Its lossless compression algorithm ensures that stored data maintains complete fidelity while consuming minimal blockchain resources, addressing common challenges in decentralized storage such as cost efficiency and data preservation. The platform's ability to handle diverse data types while maintaining optimal compression ratios positions it as a leading solution for decentralized storage needs in the Solana ecosystem.
Crossmint provides a comprehensive suite of developer tools and SDKs that make it significantly easier to build applications on Solana. Their APIs and SDKs enable developers to quickly implement features like wallet creation, NFT minting, and payment processing without having to deal with the underlying complexity of blockchain development.The platform offers extensive documentation, code samples, and integration support for multiple programming languages and frameworks. Their tools include features like gasless transactions, cross-chain compatibility, and secure key management through MPC technology. Developers can leverage pre-built, audited infrastructure components while maintaining the flexibility to customize implementations according to their specific needs.
Picasso stands out as a leading cross-chain infrastructure solution on Solana, implementing the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol to enable secure and efficient asset transfers between different blockchain networks. The protocol's sophisticated architecture utilizes light clients and relay nodes to verify and transmit messages between chains, allowing users to seamlessly bridge assets without relying on centralized intermediaries.Through its robust bridging infrastructure, Picasso currently supports connections with major networks including Ethereum and the Cosmos ecosystem, with plans to expand to additional chains. The protocol generates revenue through bridging fees, with 20% distributed to PICA token stakers, creating a sustainable economic model while maintaining high security standards through features like multi-party computation for transaction validation and automated security monitoring.
As a comprehensive developer toolkit, Neon EVM provides essential resources and SDKs that enable seamless development of Ethereum-compatible applications on Solana. The platform supports popular Ethereum development frameworks including Hardhat, Truffle, and Remix, allowing developers to write and deploy Solidity smart contracts without learning new languages or frameworks. The development environment includes robust testing tools, debugging capabilities, and comprehensive documentation.
The platform's developer tools extend beyond basic compatibility, offering specialized components like NeonScan for transaction monitoring, NeonFaucet for testing purposes, and integration with MetaMask for wallet interactions. These tools significantly reduce the learning curve for Ethereum developers entering the Solana ecosystem, while providing the performance benefits of Solana's architecture. The platform's support for parallel execution and its efficient proxy system make it particularly valuable for developers building high-performance decentralized applications.
As an infrastructure solution, Backpack has established itself as a comprehensive development platform within the Solana ecosystem through its innovative xNFT standard and wallet-as-a-platform approach. The platform provides developers with tools and frameworks to create sophisticated applications that can run directly within the Backpack wallet environment, enabling a new paradigm of blockchain-based software distribution and execution.The infrastructure includes extensive documentation and development tools for creating xNFTs, along with APIs and SDKs for wallet integration. Built by Solana veteran Armani Ferrante, Backpack's infrastructure supports both Solana and Ethereum networks, offering developers a robust platform for creating cross-chain applications while maintaining high security standards through features like collection locking and hardware wallet support.
Composable Finance stands out as a leading cross-chain asset transfer solution on Solana through its MANTIS protocol and Picasso Network. The platform enables seamless movement of assets between Solana, Ethereum, Cosmos and other major blockchain networks using a combination of IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication) and rollup technology for secure, efficient transfers.MANTIS, their flagship cross-chain settlement protocol, facilitates trust-minimized asset transfers across networks while maintaining security through advanced cryptographic proofs. The Picasso Network complements this by enabling multi-asset restaking and cross-chain liquidity provision, allowing users to maximize their yield potential across multiple chains simultaneously. Their comprehensive approach to cross-chain infrastructure makes them a vital solution for users looking to move assets between Solana and other major blockchains.
Claim Your Sol is an essential developer tool in the Solana ecosystem that helps manage and optimize wallet resources through programmatic identification and closure of empty SPL token accounts. The tool leverages Solana's native APIs and SDKs to scan wallets for dormant accounts that still hold rent deposits, providing developers with an efficient way to clean up unused token accounts programmatically.As a development utility, Claim Your Sol demonstrates how to properly interact with Solana's account model, handle wallet connections, and execute account closure transactions. It serves as both a practical tool and an educational resource for developers learning to build on Solana, showcasing best practices for account management and wallet integration.
As a critical infrastructure component for Solana development, WalletConnect provides essential tools and services that power thousands of decentralized applications. Its AppKit and WalletKit development frameworks offer comprehensive solutions for both dApp and wallet developers, enabling seamless integration of wallet connectivity features while handling complex security requirements and cross-chain compatibility.The protocol's infrastructure includes advanced features like the One-Click Auth Standard (CAIP-222) and Auth API for streamlined authentication, along with extensive developer documentation and support resources. Through the WalletConnect Network, the protocol maintains a distributed system of nodes ensuring high availability and performance, while the Connect Token (WCT) enables network governance and incentivizes infrastructure participation. Regular security audits and continuous monitoring ensure the infrastructure remains robust and reliable for developers building on Solana.
As a developer tool platform, The Grid provides essential infrastructure for building applications on Solana through its comprehensive GraphQL API and data schema standardization. Their API offers developers access to verified project metadata, relationship mappings, and ecosystem data that can be seamlessly integrated into dApps and platforms, eliminating the need to maintain separate databases of project information.The Grid's developer-friendly approach includes extensive documentation, reference implementations, and SDK support that makes it easy to query and display ecosystem data. Their standardized schema (TGS) provides a consistent format for handling Web3 project data, while their version control and webhook systems ensure applications always have access to the latest validated information. The platform's focus on data quality through AI enrichment and human verification makes it particularly valuable for developers building professional-grade applications.
The Saros Super App represents a cutting-edge mobile dApp platform on Solana, offering a comprehensive suite of DeFi services through an intuitive mobile interface. Users can access wallet functionality, token swapping, yield farming, and digital identity features all within a single application, with support for both iOS and Android devices. The platform innovates with features like social login options through Gmail, Apple ID, and Facebook, making it more accessible to mainstream users while maintaining security through non-custodial wallet architecture.What sets the Saros Super App apart is its integration of advanced features like Watch-only mode for portfolio tracking, real-time APR updates for farming positions, and seamless access to multiple DeFi protocols. The app's architecture prioritizes security while reducing friction in the user experience, making it an excellent example of how mobile dApps can bridge the gap between traditional finance users and DeFi. The platform's focus on mobile-first development and user experience demonstrates the evolution of blockchain applications toward more accessible, user-friendly interfaces.
Magicblock stands out in the Solana development ecosystem by providing a comprehensive suite of tools and SDKs specifically designed for building high-performance decentralized applications. Their flagship BOLT entity component system offers developers a powerful framework for creating composable applications, while their Unity SDK enables seamless integration of Solana functionality into Unity-based projects.The platform's developer tools are built with scalability and performance in mind, leveraging Ephemeral Rollups to extend the capabilities of the Solana Virtual Machine. With additional features like the SOAR program for managing game mechanics and player engagement, Magicblock provides developers with a complete toolkit for building sophisticated decentralized applications. The platform's focus on documentation, debugging capabilities, and developer experience makes it an essential resource for teams building on Solana.
RareSkills provides developers with comprehensive training in Solana's core development tools and SDKs, offering intensive instruction in the Rust programming language and Anchor framework. Their program emphasizes practical implementation through hands-on coding sessions, where students learn to effectively utilize Solana's development stack while receiving regular feedback from experienced instructors who have worked on major blockchain projects.The platform's development tools curriculum covers everything from fundamental concepts like account management and program derived addresses (PDAs) to advanced topics such as cross-program invocation and custom program development. Students engage in weekly live coding sessions and receive extensive code reviews, ensuring they master the technical skills needed for professional Solana development. The security-focused approach means developers learn not just how to use these tools, but how to implement them safely and efficiently in production environments.
The infrastructure and development tools highlighted above represent just a fraction of the innovative solutions available in the Solana ecosystem. As the blockchain continues to grow and evolve, these fundamental building blocks become increasingly crucial for developers and projects looking to create scalable, efficient applications.
Whether you're building the next big DeFi protocol, launching an NFT marketplace, or developing Web3 tools, Solana's robust infrastructure ecosystem provides the foundation needed for success. By leveraging these powerful development resources, you can focus on what matters most – creating value for your users while benefiting from Solana's speed, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.
Remember to stay updated with the latest tools and infrastructure solutions, as the ecosystem is constantly expanding with new innovations and improvements to help developers build the future of blockchain technology.
