Best Bitcoin Mining Pools 2026: Fees, Payouts & Reviews Compared

TL;DR: Best Bitcoin Mining Pools in 2026

Best overall: Braiins Pool (fair FPPS, Stratum V2, Lightning payouts). Best for decentralization: OCEAN (non-custodial, DATUM protocol). Best for solo miners: Solo CKPool (2% fee, full block reward).

What Is a Bitcoin Mining Pool?

A Bitcoin mining pool is a collective of miners who combine their computational power (hashrate) to increase the probability of finding a block. When the pool successfully mines a block, the reward — currently 3.125 BTC after the April 2024 halving — is distributed among participants based on the shares of work each contributed.

Think of it like a lottery syndicate. Going solo, your single ticket has an astronomically slim chance of winning. Pool your tickets with a thousand other players, and the group wins more often — each member takes a proportional cut. You sacrifice the dream of a full jackpot for the reality of consistent income.

In 2026, with Bitcoin’s network hashrate exceeding 1,000 EH/s and mining difficulty above 148 trillion, pooled mining is a practical necessity for the vast majority of miners. Unless you are running hundreds of terahashes of dedicated hardware, the expected time between solo blocks is measured in decades or centuries.

That said, solo mining is not dead. It serves a fundamentally different purpose — one we will cover later when we discuss Solo CKPool and the Bitaxe ecosystem. For now, understand this: if you want predictable revenue, you need a pool. The question is which one.

How to Choose a Bitcoin Mining Pool

Not all pools are created equal. Here are the factors that actually matter when choosing where to point your hashrate:

1. Fee Structure

Pool fees typically range from 0% to 4%, depending on the payout method. A “0% fee” headline can be misleading — read the fine print. Some pools with 0% listed fees extract value through firmware requirements (dev fees baked into the firmware) or by retaining transaction fee surpluses. The real question is: what is your effective payout rate compared to theoretical earnings?

2. Payout Method

This is the single most important technical decision. FPPS, PPS+, PPLNS, and SOLO each carry different risk profiles. We break these down in the next section. The short version: FPPS gives you the most predictable income. PPLNS can pay more during lucky streaks but less during dry spells. SOLO is all-or-nothing.

3. Pool Hashrate Share

Larger pools find blocks more frequently, which means more consistent payouts. However, pools controlling too much hashrate present a centralization risk to the Bitcoin network. As cypherpunks, we should care about this. A pool with 30%+ of the network hashrate is a problem for Bitcoin’s censorship resistance, regardless of how good its payouts are.

4. Minimum Payout Threshold

Some pools require you to accumulate a significant balance before withdrawing. For home miners with modest hashrate, a high minimum payout means your Bitcoin sits in the pool’s custody for weeks or months. Look for pools with low minimums or Lightning Network payout options that eliminate minimum thresholds entirely.

5. Stratum V2 Support

Stratum V2 is the next-generation mining protocol that encrypts your connection, reduces bandwidth by up to 70%, and — most importantly — enables job negotiation, letting miners choose which transactions go into their block templates. If you care about decentralization (and you should), Stratum V2 support is a must-have. Read our complete Stratum V2 guide for the full picture.

6. Reputation and Track Record

How long has the pool been operating? Has it ever been caught withholding payouts, mining empty blocks, or engaging in selfish mining? Does it publish transparent, auditable data about its operations? A pool that has been running honestly since 2013 carries less risk than one that appeared six months ago with slick marketing and zero track record.

7. Geographic and Jurisdictional Considerations

Where is the pool based? Does it comply with regulations that might affect you? Some pools have KYC requirements for larger payouts. Others operate in jurisdictions with active mining regulations. For Canadian miners, pools with North American servers minimize latency and maximize share acceptance rates.

Payout Methods Explained

Understanding payout methods is non-negotiable. This is where pools make — or take — their money, and where you as a miner bear — or shed — risk.

Our recommendation: For most home miners, FPPS provides the best balance of predictability and fair compensation. If you are running a Bitaxe or similar low-hashrate device for the thrill, SOLO is the only method that makes sense — you are playing the Bitcoin lottery, and you want the full jackpot if you win.

Master Comparison: Top Bitcoin Mining Pools 2026

Here is every major pool worth considering in 2026, compared across the metrics that matter. Data reflects Q1 2026 figures.

*Foundry USA’s 0% fee is available for qualifying miners. Institutional relationships and minimum hashrate requirements may apply. Always verify current terms directly.

Top Picks by Use Case

Best Overall: Braiins Pool

Braiins Pool (formerly Slush Pool, the very first Bitcoin mining pool, launched in 2010) remains the gold standard for miners who want a reliable, transparent, and technically progressive pool. Their FPPS payout model with 0% pool fee (when using Braiins OS firmware) gives miners excellent effective rates. They pioneered Stratum V2 and run it natively — meaning your connection is encrypted and bandwidth-efficient out of the box. Lightning Network payouts with no minimum threshold make it the best option for home miners running modest hashrate. The pool has over 14 years of unbroken operation, which in the mining world is ancient and respected.

Why we recommend it: Fair payouts, native Stratum V2, Lightning payouts, longest track record in the industry.

Best for Decentralization: OCEAN

OCEAN is the only truly non-custodial Bitcoin mining pool operating at scale. Founded by Luke Dashjr and backed by Jack Dorsey, OCEAN’s TIDES payout system delivers block rewards directly to miners’ addresses — the pool never takes custody of your Bitcoin. Their DATUM protocol goes further than Stratum V2 by letting miners construct their own block templates using their own Bitcoin full node. If you run a full node and want maximum sovereignty over your mining operation, OCEAN is the only pool that delivers on the original vision of decentralized Bitcoin mining. Miners using DATUM also receive a 50% discount on pool fees.

Why we recommend it: Non-custodial payouts, DATUM protocol, miner-constructed block templates, aligned with Bitcoin’s decentralization ethos.

Best for Solo Miners: Solo CKPool

Solo CKPool is the go-to platform for miners who want to swing for the fences. Created by Dr. Con Kolivas and operating since 2014, it provides the infrastructure for solo mining without requiring you to run your own full node. If your miner finds a block, you keep the full 3.125 BTC block reward (plus transaction fees), minus a 2% service fee. In 2025-2026, over 22 solo miners successfully found blocks through the service. If you are running a Bitaxe, a NerdAxe, or any open-source miner for the thrill of the hunt, Solo CKPool is where you point your hashrate.

Why we recommend it: Longest-running solo mining service, 2% fee, no registration required, proven block-finding track record.

Best for Beginners: Luxor

Luxor is a U.S.-based, SOC 2 Type 2-certified pool that prioritizes a polished user experience without sacrificing performance. The FPPS payout model provides predictable income, the dashboard is intuitive, and their documentation is thorough. For a miner setting up their first ASIC and wanting a straightforward, reliable pool based in North America, Luxor removes friction. Their 0% pool fee on Bitcoin mining (or 0.7% depending on tier) and daily payouts keep things simple. They are also Stratum V2-ready, positioning them well for the protocol transition ahead.

Why we recommend it: Clean user experience, SOC 2 certified, North American servers, transparent FPPS.

Best for Home Miners: Braiins Pool or OCEAN

Home miners have unique needs: modest hashrate, interest in keeping things sovereign, and a desire for low minimum payouts. Braiins Pool wins on the practical side — Lightning payouts with no minimum mean even a single ASIC can receive daily payouts without dust accumulating in the pool. OCEAN wins on the philosophical side — non-custodial payouts mean your Bitcoin is never in someone else’s hands. Both pools align with the values that drive most home mining operations: sovereignty, decentralization, and a desire to directly strengthen the Bitcoin network.

For home miners running open-source hardware like the Bitaxe for solo lottery mining, use Solo CKPool or OCEAN’s solo option. For ASIC miners generating steady hashrate, Braiins Pool is the practical choice.

Individual Pool Reviews

Foundry USA

Foundry USA dominates Bitcoin mining with roughly 32% of the network hashrate, backed by Digital Currency Group (DCG). Its institutional focus means large-scale, compliance-oriented operations gravitate here. The 0% FPPS fee is attractive but comes with caveats — Foundry’s relationship model means terms vary based on your scale and the hardware you run. For retail home miners, Foundry is generally not the most accessible option. The concentration of this much hashrate under one pool is also a centralization concern that the Bitcoin community should take seriously.

Pros: Largest pool, FPPS, 0% fee for qualifying miners, U.S.-based, institutional-grade infrastructure.

Cons: Centralization risk (32% of hashrate), institutional focus may not serve small miners, Stratum V2 only in testing.

AntPool

Owned by Bitmain, AntPool benefits from deep integration with the world’s dominant ASIC manufacturer. If you buy Bitmain hardware, AntPool is often the default. The pool holds about 17% of network hashrate and offers both FPPS and PPLNS payout options, with fees ranging from 0% (PPLNS) to 4% (FPPS). AntPool is a competent pool, but the Bitmain connection raises questions about decentralization — the same company that manufactures the hardware should not also control the block template construction for 17% of the network.

Pros: Large and stable, Bitmain integration, multiple payout options, low PPLNS fees.

Cons: Bitmain ownership raises decentralization concerns, high FPPS fees, China-based, no Stratum V2.

F2Pool

One of the oldest mining pools, F2Pool has been operating since 2013. It commands about 10% of network hashrate and offers both FPPS (4% fee) and PPLNS (2% fee). F2Pool supports mining multiple cryptocurrencies, which adds convenience if you mine more than Bitcoin. The pool has a solid track record, though its fees on the FPPS side are among the highest in the industry. No Stratum V2 support yet.

Pros: Long track record (since 2013), multi-coin support, global infrastructure, transparent operations.

Cons: High FPPS fees (4%), no Stratum V2, China-based operations.

SpiderPool

A relative newcomer that has rapidly climbed to ~9.6% of network hashrate, SpiderPool focuses on institutional miners with FPPS payouts and stable infrastructure. The pool’s rapid growth suggests competitive effective payout rates, though its short track record means less operational history to evaluate. Worth monitoring, but not yet battle-tested enough for a strong recommendation.

Pros: Competitive FPPS rates, growing rapidly, stable infrastructure.

Cons: Short track record, limited transparency compared to established pools, no Stratum V2.

MARA Pool (Marathon Digital)

MARA Pool is the proprietary mining pool of Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ: MARA), one of the largest publicly traded Bitcoin miners. The pool is not open to the general public — it exists to serve Marathon’s own mining fleet. We include it here for completeness because its ~4.4% hashrate share affects pool distribution charts, but it is not an option for independent miners. Marathon’s Slipstream feature for accelerating non-standard transactions is technically interesting but controversial.

Pros: Publicly traded company transparency, large-scale infrastructure.

Cons: Not open to public miners, centralized corporate operation.

SecPool

SecPool holds about 3.4% of network hashrate and is expanding across Asia with FPPS payouts. Information about the pool is limited in English-language sources, which itself is a factor to consider. If you are based in Asia and comfortable with the pool’s documentation and support channels, it may be a viable option. For North American miners, better options exist.

Pros: Competitive FPPS rates, growing Asian presence.

Cons: Limited English documentation, short track record, no Stratum V2, Asia-focused.

Luxor

Luxor offers a clean, professional mining pool experience from the United States. With SOC 2 Type 2 certification, FPPS payouts, and a user-friendly dashboard, it is a strong option for miners who value compliance and ease of use. Their hashrate firmware (LuxOS) adds optimization features but carries its own 2.8% dev fee — so factor that into your total cost calculation. Stratum V2-ready infrastructure positions Luxor well for the coming protocol transition.

Pros: SOC 2 certified, FPPS, U.S.-based, Stratum V2-ready, professional dashboard.

Cons: Smaller pool (~2.4% hashrate), LuxOS firmware adds its own fee, less decentralization-focused.

ViaBTC

ViaBTC has been operating since 2016 and offers the widest range of payout options among major pools: FPPS, PPS+, and PPLNS. With a very low minimum payout of 0.0001 BTC and about 3% of network hashrate, it is accessible to smaller miners. The fees range from 2% (PPLNS) to 4% (FPPS). China-based operations and no Stratum V2 support are the primary drawbacks.

Pros: Multiple payout options, very low minimum payout, long track record, multi-coin support.

Cons: High FPPS fees, no Stratum V2, China-based.

Binance Pool

Binance Pool is an extension of the Binance exchange ecosystem. While it offers FPPS payouts, the 4% fee is the highest among major pools. The primary value proposition is integration with your Binance exchange account for seamless payouts and trading. However, from a sovereignty perspective, routing your mining rewards through a centralized exchange is the antithesis of what Bitcoin mining is about. We do not recommend Binance Pool for miners who value self-custody.

Pros: Binance ecosystem integration, stable infrastructure.

Cons: High fees (4%), exchange-custodial model, anti-sovereignty, KYC requirements.

Solo CKPool

Solo CKPool is not a pool in the traditional sense — it is infrastructure that lets you mine solo without running your own full node. Created by Dr. Con Kolivas and operating since 2014, it charges a simple 2% fee on any block you find. No registration is required. In 2025-2026, over 22 solo miners successfully found blocks through the service, proving that the “Bitcoin lottery” is real. This is the platform of choice for Bitaxe, NerdAxe, and other open-source solo miners. With the current block reward of 3.125 BTC (worth ~$300,000+), finding even one block is life-changing.

Pros: Solo mining made simple, no registration, 2% fee, proven track record, anonymous mining.

Cons: Extremely high variance (you might never find a block), no Stratum V2, not suitable as primary income source for small miners.

Pools to Avoid

Not every pool deserves your hashrate. Here are red flags to watch for:

Unknown or Very Small Pools

A pool with less than 0.1% of network hashrate and no track record is a gamble. These pools find blocks infrequently, meaning extended periods with no payouts (especially on PPLNS). Worse, fly-by-night operations can simply disappear with accumulated balances. Stick to pools with at least a year of verifiable operation.

Pools with Opaque Fee Structures

If you cannot determine exactly what percentage of your theoretical earnings the pool is keeping, something is wrong. Some pools advertise low or zero fees but use modified payout calculations that quietly reduce your effective rate. Demand transparency.

Custodial Pools with High Minimums

Any pool that requires large minimum payouts is effectively holding your Bitcoin hostage. If the pool goes down — or goes rogue — you lose whatever balance was accumulating. Prefer pools with low minimums, Lightning payouts, or non-custodial models like OCEAN.

Exchange-Linked Pools (for the Sovereignty-Minded)

Pools operated by centralized exchanges (Binance Pool, etc.) route your newly mined Bitcoin straight into the exchange’s custody. You mined those sats. They should go to your wallet, not an exchange’s hot wallet with your name on an IOU. Not your keys, not your Bitcoin — and that applies to mining rewards too.

How to Switch Mining Pools

Switching pools is straightforward. Here is the process:

1. Create an account at the new pool (some pools like Solo CKPool and OCEAN require no registration).
2. Get your new pool URL and worker credentials. This is typically a stratum URL (e.g., stratum+tcp://pool.example.com:3333) and a worker name (usually your wallet address or account name).
3. Log into your miner’s web interface. For most ASICs, navigate to the Miner Configuration or Pool Settings page.
4. Replace the pool URL and worker name in Pool 1. Optionally set your old pool as Pool 2 (backup).
5. Save and apply. Your miner will disconnect from the old pool and connect to the new one within seconds.
6. Verify on the new pool’s dashboard that your miner appears and is submitting shares.
7. Withdraw remaining balance from your old pool once it reaches the minimum payout threshold.

The entire process takes under five minutes. There is no lock-in, no penalty, and no downtime beyond a few seconds of reconnection. You own your hashrate — point it wherever you choose.

For firmware-level configurations (like Braiins OS for Stratum V2), you may need to reflash your miner’s firmware first. Check our getting started guide for step-by-step firmware installation instructions.

The Case for Decentralized Mining Pools

Here is an uncomfortable truth: in early 2026, just two pools — Foundry USA and AntPool — control nearly 50% of Bitcoin’s hashrate. Add F2Pool and SpiderPool, and four entities direct the block template construction for roughly 70% of every Bitcoin block.

This matters. Pools that construct block templates decide which transactions get included in blocks. They decide the ordering. They can, in theory, censor transactions. They can engage in MEV-like extraction. They can collude. The fact that they have not done so egregiously (yet) is not a security model — it is luck.

This is why pools like OCEAN and protocols like Stratum V2 matter. When miners construct their own block templates — as OCEAN’s DATUM protocol enables — the power over transaction selection is distributed across thousands of individual operators instead of concentrated in a handful of pool operators.

At D-Central, decentralization is not a slogan. It is the reason we exist. Our mission is the decentralization of every layer of Bitcoin mining — from the hardware (open-source miners like the Bitaxe) to the protocol layer (Stratum V2 and DATUM). Every miner who switches to a decentralized pool or enables job negotiation strengthens Bitcoin’s censorship resistance.

We are not telling you to sacrifice your earnings for ideology. OCEAN and Braiins Pool offer competitive payouts. The decentralization benefits come at zero cost to you. The only thing stopping broader adoption is inertia — and articles like this one.

Practical steps you can take right now:

• Switch at least one ASIC to OCEAN or Braiins Pool
• Enable Stratum V2 if your firmware supports it
• Run a Bitcoin full node and use OCEAN’s DATUM protocol
• Add a Bitaxe to your setup for sovereign solo mining
• Talk to other miners about why pool diversity matters

FAQ

Start Mining Smarter

Choosing the right pool is one of the most impactful decisions you will make as a Bitcoin miner. It affects your income, your sovereignty, and Bitcoin’s network health.

If you are just getting started, check out our complete guide to Bitcoin mining. Looking for hardware? Browse our full catalog of miners, parts, and accessories. Interested in sovereign solo mining? Explore the Bitaxe Hub for everything you need to know about open-source mining.

At D-Central Technologies, we have been building, repairing, and optimizing Bitcoin mining equipment since 2016. We are not just a shop — we are miners, hackers, and Bitcoiners who believe that every hash matters. Whether you are running a warehouse full of S21s or a single Bitaxe on your desk, you are part of the decentralized future of Bitcoin.

Mine sovereign. Mine decentralized. Mine smart.