PPLNS, FPPS, and SOLO are different Bitcoin mining payout methods.
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FPPS (Full Pay Per Share): Offers steady, predictable payouts, including block rewards and transaction fees.
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PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares): Rewards miners based on recent contribution — higher potential rewards but more variance.
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SOLO Mining: Mine alone — keep full rewards if you find a block, but risk earning nothing for long periods.
The Basics: How Pool Payouts Work
Mining pools exist to make Bitcoin rewards more consistent.
Instead of one miner getting the entire 3.125 BTC block reward, participants combine computing power (hashrate) and share rewards based on contribution.
The difference between payout models comes down to:
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Who takes the risk (you or the pool)
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When payouts occur
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How rewards are calculated
Let’s break down the three most common methods.
FPPS – Full Pay Per Share
🔹 What It Means
FPPS gives miners a fixed reward for every valid share they submit, regardless of when a block is actually found.
It also includes transaction fees, giving you a more complete payout.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Risk | Pool bears the variance |
| Payout Frequency | Regular, predictable (daily/hourly) |
| Includes Fees? | ✅ Yes — block reward + transaction fees |
| Best For | Miners who prefer stable income |
💡 FPPS = Guaranteed payouts based on work done, not luck.
Example
If you contribute 1% of a pool’s total hashrate, you earn 1% of total rewards per block, even if the pool didn’t find one that day.
The pool operator takes the risk and smooths payouts over time.
✅ Pros
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Consistent daily income
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Includes transaction fees
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Ideal for professional miners
❌ Cons
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Slightly higher pool fees (1.5–3%)
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Less “upside” during lucky streaks
PPLNS – Pay Per Last N Shares
🔹 What It Means
PPLNS rewards miners only when the pool finds a block, based on how many shares they contributed recently (the “last N shares”).
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Risk | Miner bears the variance |
| Payout Frequency | Irregular — depends on pool luck |
| Includes Fees? | ❌ Usually not (some exceptions) |
| Best For | Long-term miners who stay active in the same pool |
💡 PPLNS = Higher risk, higher potential reward.
Example
If your pool finds two blocks in one day, your earnings double. If it finds none, you earn nothing that day.
Your payout depends on your contribution in the last “N” shares (typically 1–2 days of mining).
✅ Pros
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Higher average reward potential
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Lower pool fees
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Rewards loyalty (miners who stay connected longer earn more)
❌ Cons
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Payouts fluctuate with luck
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Bad for short-term or intermittent miners
SOLO – Go It Alone
🔹 What It Means
Solo mining means you mine independently, without a pool.
If your miner finds a valid block, you get the entire reward (3.125 BTC + fees) — but finding one is extremely rare for small miners.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Risk | Very high (all or nothing) |
| Payout Frequency | Only when a block is found |
| Includes Fees? | ✅ Yes — all block + fees |
| Best For | Very large mining farms or enthusiasts with massive hashrate |
💡 SOLO = Maximum risk, maximum reward.
✅ Pros
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Full control and transparency
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100% of block reward if successful
❌ Cons
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Extremely unpredictable income
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Not realistic for small miners
Quick Comparison: FPPS vs. PPLNS vs. SOLO
| Feature | FPPS | PPLNS | SOLO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payout Basis | Fixed per share | Based on last N shares | Only when you find a block |
| Risk Level | Low | Medium | Very High |
| Earnings Stability | Very Stable | Variable | Highly Unstable |
| Includes Transaction Fees | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Sometimes | ✅ Yes |
| Ideal For | Consistent miners, low-risk profiles | Loyal miners seeking higher yield | Large-scale or experimental miners |
| Pool Fees | 1.5–3% | 1–2% | 0% (solo) |
Which Method Do Major Pools Use?
| Pool | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foundry USA | FPPS | Most consistent payouts |
| AntPool | FPPS | Includes transaction fees |
| ViaBTC | PPLNS | Rewards long-term loyalty |
| F2Pool | PPS+ / FPPS | Hybrid, stable returns |
| Solo CK Pool | SOLO | No pool fees; full block reward if lucky |
How to Choose the Right Model
| Your Goal | Best Option | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Steady daily income | FPPS | Predictable, low risk |
| Higher potential over time | PPLNS | More profitable during good luck periods |
| Maximum independence | SOLO | Full rewards, full control |
| Beginner-friendly mining | FPPS | Easiest and most reliable |
In 2025, FPPS remains the industry standard for miners seeking predictable income and full transparency.
Summary
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FPPS: Stable, predictable, includes all rewards — best for most miners.
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PPLNS: Reward based on recent contribution — riskier but potentially more profitable.
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SOLO: Full independence and full reward — but extremely luck-based.
Your payout method defines how you get paid, not how much work you do.
Smart miners choose the system that fits their risk tolerance and consistency goals.