7 Best Bitcoin Mining Pools in 2026
The best Bitcoin mining pools in 2026 compared on payout scheme, BTC pool fee, and minimum payout. See Braiins Pool, OCEAN, F2Pool, ViaBTC, EMCD, Solo CKPool, and Luxor.
Updated July 2026 · Reviewed by the PipeFlare team
The best bitcoin mining pool for your hardware depends on the payout scheme, the pool fee, and the minimum payout threshold. This guide compares seven operational mining pools evaluated on their payout schemes, fees, and minimum payout thresholds as of Oct 2026. Every option in this roundup provides pool or solo mining infrastructure for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) hardware, ranging from institutional setups to non-custodial and solo mining services. This guide reflects published pool specifications without revenue promises or earning projections.
Before choosing a Bitcoin mining pool for your hardware, review the technical mechanics of proof-of-work validation and block construction.
Braiins Pool
Best for: Best FPPS pool with Lightning payouts
Braiins Pool describes itself as the world's longest running mining pool, with more than 1.3M BTC mined since 2010. It operates under a Full Pay Per Share (FPPS) payout scheme where block subsidies and transaction fees make up the rewards. The service features non-KYC onboarding, worker monitoring, access management, API support, CSV and JSON exports, a mobile app, and support in English, Russian, Spanish, Farsi and Chinese.
Strengths
0% pool fees when using Braiins OS
Over 1.3M BTC mined since 2010
Instant Lightning Network payouts alongside on-chain options
Limitations
Fee for miners not running Braiins OS is not published
Minimum payout threshold is not stated on the pool page
Pricing: 0% with Braiins OS; other miners Not published
OCEAN
Best for: Best non-custodial, block-template pool
OCEAN is a non-custodial Bitcoin mining pool that aims to decentralize Bitcoin mining. It uses the Transparent Index of Distinct Extended Shares (TIDES) payout model, distributing block subsidies and transaction fees pro rata based on contributed hashrate. Blocks are built so miners receive payouts directly in the coinbase transaction whenever possible, meaning the pool coordinates payouts without holding newly mined coins.
Strengths
Non-custodial payouts sent directly via coinbase transactions
1% fee with DATUM
Miners can construct custom block templates
Limitations
Standard pool fee is 2% without DATUM
Minimum payout threshold is 0.01048576 BTC
Pricing: 2%; 1% with DATUM
F2Pool
Best for: Best multi-coin pool
F2Pool is a multi-currency mining pool that supports Bitcoin alongside alternative networks such as BCH, LTC, and ETC. Miners can select between FPPS and Pay Per Last N Shares (PPLNS) payout schemes for their Bitcoin hashrate, with merged-mining rewards listed directly on the Bitcoin page. The platform also provides staking tools, a transaction accelerator, a mobile application, and API connectivity.
Strengths
Choice between FPPS and PPLNS payout schemes
Merged-mining rewards supported on Bitcoin
Multi-coin support across more than a dozen networks
Limitations
FPPS fee is set at 4.0%
Minimum payout is 0.005 BTC
Pricing: FPPS 4.0%; PPLNS 2.0%
ViaBTC
Best for: Best pool with a built-in wallet and tools
ViaBTC is an all-in-one mining platform serving accounts across more than 150 countries and regions. It supports Pay Per Share Plus (PPS+) as its default payout mode alongside a PPLNS option, offering hourly calculation cycles based on network difficulty. The platform includes a profitability ranking tool, a profit calculator, an integrated multi-coin wallet, auto-conversions, collateral-backed loans, and mobile apps.
Strengths
Integrated wallet with automatic cryptocurrency conversions
Choice between hourly PPS+ and PPLNS payouts
Built-in transaction accelerator and broadcast tools
Limitations
PPS+ pool fee is 4%
Minimum payout threshold is not stated on the pricing page
Pricing: PPS+ 4%; PPLNS 2%
EMCD
Best for: Best for autoconversion and VIP terms
EMCD operates a mining pool reporting 25 EH/s of pool hashrate and over 15,000 miners. It features merged mining, such as mining Bitcoin and Fractal Bitcoin simultaneously, proprietary firmware for Antminer rigs, and automated conversions into USDT. Payouts to external wallets process between 12:00 and 2:00 PM GMT, while EMCD Coinhold Wallet transfers process immediately upon reward crediting.
Strengths
Dual merged mining for Bitcoin and Fractal Bitcoin
VIP program with reduced fees and lower payout thresholds
Custom firmware options for Antminer hardware
Limitations
Pool fee starts from 1.5%; BTC-specific fee not stated
Standard minimum payout figure is not stated on the pool page
Pricing: From 1.5%
Solo CKPool
Best for: Best for solo mining
Solo CKPool is an anonymous solo Bitcoin mining service running since 2014. It has no payout scheme: rewards go to your own Bitcoin address. It accepts Stratum V1 and V2 connections.
Strengths
Direct rewards sent to personal Bitcoin address with no pool custody
Stratum V2 support on port 3336 alongside Stratum V1
Username is your Bitcoin address
Limitations
Hardware below 100GH is not recommended by the pool
Minimum operational difficulty is 10,000
Pricing: 2%
Luxor
Best for: Best for institutional miners
Luxor is a US-based Bitcoin mining pool with SOC 2 Type 2 certification. It provides payout models including standard FPPS, Fixed, and Upfront structures, distributed on daily, weekly, or monthly schedules. Luxor lists annual external penetration testing, miner financing programs, and account change-logging.
Strengths
SOC 2 Type 2 certification with annual external penetration testing
Support for FPPS, Fixed, and Upfront payout arrangements
User access management and change logs
Limitations
Pool fee schedule is not published on the public page
Minimum payout threshold is not stated on the public page
Pricing: Not published
Summary comparison
| Option | Best for | Payout scheme | BTC pool fee | Minimum payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FeaturedYour company here, pinned above every listing Get featured → | ||||
| Braiins Pool | FPPS with Lightning payouts | FPPS | 0% with Braiins OS; other miners Not published | Not published |
| OCEAN | Non-custodial, own block templates | TIDES | 2%; 1% with DATUM | 0.01048576 BTC |
| F2Pool | Multi-coin mining | FPPS or PPLNS | FPPS 4.0%; PPLNS 2.0% | 0.005 BTC |
| ViaBTC | Wallet and tools in one account | PPS+ or PPLNS | PPS+ 4%; PPLNS 2% | Not published |
| EMCD | Autoconversion, VIP terms | Not published | From 1.5% | Not published |
| Solo CKPool | Solo mining | Solo (no payout scheme) | 2% | N/A (rewards go to your address) |
| Luxor | Institutional miners | FPPS, Fixed, Upfront | Not published | Not published |
| Cruxpool | Bitcoin plus ETC, RVN, ERG and FLUX miners | FPPS | 2% | 0.005 BTC |
| 2Miners | Altcoin GPU miners; Bitcoin SOLO mode | Solo (SOLO mode) | 1.5% (SOLO mode) | 0.05 BTC (Bitcoin SOLO) |
| Solopool.org | Non-custodial solo mining across ten coins | Solo; non-custodial, no pool balances | 2% | N/A (no balances or withdrawals) |
| Foundry USA Pool | Miners paid on FPPS with fee tiers | FPPS | Tiered; rates Not published | 0.01 BTC per address |
| Antpool | Bitcoin mining pool | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Binance Pool | Exchange-run pool for BTC | FPPS | Not published | Not published |
Listed here? Update your listing.
Pool Choice by Priority
The pool you pick depends on payout scheme, BTC fee and minimum payout; the picks below match listed facts to each need. Braiins Pool lists 0% fees with Braiins OS and Lightning payouts. If non-custodial block creation and decentralized template construction are your main requirements, OCEAN provides direct coinbase settlements and a 1% fee rate when configuring custom templates via Decentralized Alternative Templates for Universal Mining (DATUM). Miners can select F2Pool for FPPS and PPLNS options, or ViaBTC for PPS+ and PPLNS options. ViaBTC lists a built-in multi-coin wallet and auto conversion. EMCD lists merged mining, autoconversion (for example BTC to USDT) and its own Antminer firmware. Luxor lists SOC 2 Type 2 certification. Miners who want to mine solo blocks directly to their own address can use Solo CKPool. Other pools exist in the broader market, including Foundry USA Pool, Antpool, Binance Pool, Cruxpool, 2Miners, and Solopool.org.
Payout Schemes Compared
Full Pay Per Share (FPPS) compensates miners for both the standard block subsidy and the transaction fees contained within blocks. Braiins Pool operates under FPPS,. ViaBTC lists PPS+ as its default BTC mode with hourly payouts, while F2Pool applies a 4.0% fee for its standard FPPS structure. Luxor also provides FPPS alongside Fixed and Upfront payout options. F2Pool and ViaBTC also list PPLNS at a 2% BTC pool fee, with ViaBTC calculating shares across the preceding five difficulty rounds once a block attains six confirmations. OCEAN uses TIDES, which pays each miner their pro rata share of contributed hashrate, including transaction fees in the block reward. Solo CKPool lists a 2% fee and no payout scheme; rewards go to your own Bitcoin address.
Fees and Payout Thresholds
Braiins Pool lists 0% pool fees for rigs running Braiins OS, though the page does not state the fee for other miners. OCEAN applies a baseline 2% fee, which reduces to 1% for miners utilizing DATUM to build their own block templates. ViaBTC and F2Pool both list a 2% fee for PPLNS shares, and a 4% fee for PPS+ on ViaBTC and FPPS on F2Pool. EMCD states its fee starts from 1.5%, though its pool page gives no BTC-specific fee. Solo CKPool charges a 2% fee, while Luxor's pool page states no fee. OCEAN maintains a minimum payout threshold of 0.01048576 BTC, with discretionary payouts available down to 0.00065536 BTC for accounts that halt mining. F2Pool specifies a minimum withdrawal limit of 0.005 BTC. Payout minimums are not stated on the public pages checked for Braiins Pool, ViaBTC, EMCD, and Luxor. Solo CKPool has no payout scheme; rewards go to your own address.
Solo Mining Versus a Pool
Solo mining allows an individual machine to mine solo blocks rather than participating in collective pool distributions. Solo CKPool removes collective pooling entirely. When hashing against Solo CKPool, the service routes block proceeds straight to your provided Bitcoin address without using intermediary operator wallets. Solo CKPool sets a minimum difficulty of 10,000. It accepts Stratum V1 (port 3333) and Stratum V2 (port 3336). The service explicitly advises that hardware delivering hashrates below 100GH is not recommended for Bitcoin solo mining because such devices are unlikely to ever solve a block.
The verdict
The best bitcoin mining pool depends on payout scheme, fee and minimum payout. Braiins Pool lists 0% fees with Braiins OS and supports Lightning payouts. OCEAN is non-custodial, uses TIDES, and charges 1% with DATUM. F2Pool supports multi-coin mining with FPPS and PPLNS, while ViaBTC offers a built-in wallet with PPS+ and PPLNS. EMCD lists its own Antminer firmware and autoconversion, while Luxor lists SOC 2 Type 2 certification. For miners who prefer targeting full blocks directly to their own address, Solo CKPool is the listed solo option.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bitcoin mining pool?
There is no single best Bitcoin mining pool for every operator. Braiins Pool fits miners seeking 0% fees through Braiins OS, while OCEAN fits non-custodial payouts via direct coinbase splits.
What is FPPS?
Full Pay Per Share (FPPS) is a payout model that compensates miners for both the standard block subsidy and the transaction fees included within mined blocks.
What is the difference between solo mining and pool mining?
Pool options list FPPS, PPS+, PPLNS or TIDES payout schemes. Solo CKPool has no payout scheme; rewards go to your own address with a 2% fee, and hashrates below 100GH are not recommended.
Do mining pools hold my bitcoin?
OCEAN builds block templates that pay miners directly inside the coinbase transaction whenever possible, and Solo CKPool forwards solved block rewards straight to your personal Bitcoin address without holding them in operator wallets.
Which pool has the lowest fee?
Braiins Pool offers a 0% pool fee for miners operating with Braiins OS firmware. OCEAN provides a 1% fee for miners who construct their own block templates using DATUM, down from its standard 2% rate. Other pool fees vary depending on the chosen payout scheme.
Sources
Related guides
Ready to get started?
Compare regulated exchange sign-up bonuses — they pay you and a referrer after a qualifying trade.