Solana's ultra-low transaction fees comparison released: surpassing Base, BNB, and Polygon, becoming the preferred execution layer for high-frequency DeFi.

Latest on-chain fee comparison data shows that in mid-January 2026, among mainstream blockchain networks, Solana’s median transaction fee ranks second lowest, only behind Avalanche, and is significantly lower than high-volume networks like Base, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Arbitrum. This result further highlights Solana’s structural advantage in high-throughput, low-cost execution layers.

From a data structure perspective, Solana’s fee curve has long remained at the bottom of the logarithmic scale, indicating that its low fees are not a temporary phenomenon but are determined by its underlying architecture. The network’s parallel execution and high TPS design enable it to absorb traffic surges without passing the pressure onto users as higher per-transaction costs, unlike rollup-dependent networks.

In comparison, Ethereum remains the most expensive network, reflecting persistent congestion and strong demand at its base layer. Polygon and Linea are in the middle range; while BNB Chain, Arbitrum, and Base have relatively low fees, they are still noticeably higher than Solana. On-chain analysts point out that rollup architectures inherit the cost sensitivity of the settlement layer when handling data-intensive calls, making fee predictability a key consideration for high-frequency applications.

The median fee more accurately reflects the real experience of average users. Data shows that even during periods of increased activity, most transactions on Solana can be completed at very low costs, which is especially critical for payments, blockchain games, on-chain trading, and social applications.

Industry observers believe that Solana is gradually consolidating its position as a “high-frequency execution network.” Development teams targeting large-scale users prefer blockchain environments that can maintain stable fees under load, and this trend is changing the infrastructure selection logic for DeFi and consumer-grade applications.