Introduction
You need to export your Solana token holders. But which tool should you use?
Helius API requires coding. Smithii has rate limits. Manual RPC queries are complex. And there are newer options like Jumpbit that promise simpler workflows.
In this comparison, I'll break down the top methods for taking token snapshots on Solana—covering ease of use, speed, pricing, and export capabilities—so you can choose the right tool for your project.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | Jumpbit | Helius API | Smithii | Manual RPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | No-code UI | Requires coding | Web UI | Requires coding |
| Export Formats | CSV, JSON | JSON (API) | CSV | Custom |
| API Key Required | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Rate Limits | None | Yes (tier-based) | Yes | RPC-dependent |
| Large Token Support | 1M+ holders | Tier-dependent | Limited | Slow |
| SPL22 Support | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Pricing | Pay-per-use | Subscription | Subscription | RPC costs |
Jumpbit Token Snapshot
How It Works
Jumpbit offers a browser-based snapshot tool. You paste a mint address, click generate, and download your holder list. No account, no API keys, no coding.
Strengths
No Technical Barrier
- Paste address → Click generate → Download CSV
- Works in any browser
- No wallet connection required
Fast Processing
- Handles 1M+ holder tokens
- Typical export time: 30-60 seconds
- No rate limits or daily caps
Export-Ready Formats
- CSV for spreadsheets and airdrop tools
- JSON for developers
- Clean data with wallet addresses, balances, percentages
Full Token Support
- SPL (original Token Program)
- SPL22 (Token Extensions)
- Automatic standard detection
Limitations
- No API access (UI only)
- No historical snapshots (current block only)
- Less customizable than API solutions
Best For
- Project teams needing quick exports
- Non-technical users
- One-time or occasional snapshots
- Airdrop preparation
Helius API
How It Works
Helius provides RPC and API infrastructure for Solana. Their token holder endpoints let you query holder data programmatically.
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.helius.xyz/v0/token-accounts',
{
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({
mintAddress: 'YOUR_TOKEN_MINT',
apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY'
})
}
);
const holders = await response.json();
Strengths
Full Programmability
- Integrate into custom scripts
- Automate recurring snapshots
- Build custom analytics pipelines
Rich Data
- Detailed token account information
- Transaction history access
- Webhook support for real-time tracking
Enterprise Infrastructure
- High uptime guarantees
- Dedicated support on higher tiers
- Scalable for large applications
Limitations
Requires Coding
- Must write JavaScript/Python/etc.
- Handle pagination manually
- Build your own CSV export
API Key Required
- Sign up for account
- Manage authentication
- Key rotation for security
Rate Limits
- Free tier: Limited requests/second
- Paid tiers: Higher limits but still capped
- Large exports may hit limits
Subscription Pricing
- Free tier limited
- Developer: $49/month
- Growth: $499/month
- Enterprise: Custom
Best For
- Developers building custom tools
- Recurring automated snapshots
- Integration with existing systems
- Projects needing full API access
Smithii
How It Works
Smithii offers Solana analytics tools including token holder lookups. Their web interface allows viewing holder data with limited export.
Strengths
Analytics Dashboard
- Visual holder distribution
- Whale tracking
- Historical data (limited)
Web Interface
- No coding required
- Visual charts and graphs
- Quick lookups
Limitations
Export Restrictions
- CSV export limited on free tier
- Full exports require subscription
- Rate limits on queries
Account Required
- Must create account
- Email verification
- API key management
Less Comprehensive
- Fewer features than Helius API
- Limited customization
- Slower for large tokens
Best For
- Quick holder lookups
- Visual analytics
- Projects already using Smithii ecosystem
Manual RPC Queries
How It Works
Query Solana RPC nodes directly using getProgramAccounts to fetch all token accounts for a mint.
const { Connection, PublicKey } = require('@solana/web3.js');
const { TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID } = require('@solana/spl-token');
const connection = new Connection('https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com');
const accounts = await connection.getProgramAccounts(
TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID,
{
filters: [
{ dataSize: 165 },
{ memcmp: { offset: 0, bytes: mintAddress } }
]
}
);
Strengths
No Third-Party Dependency
- Direct blockchain access
- No API keys
- No rate limits (except RPC)
Full Control
- Custom data processing
- Any export format
- Complete flexibility
Free (Mostly)
- Public RPC endpoints available
- Pay only for premium RPC if needed
Limitations
High Technical Barrier
- Requires Solana development knowledge
- Must handle data parsing
- Error handling complexity
Slow for Large Tokens
- getProgramAccounts is resource-intensive
- May timeout on large tokens
- Pagination required
RPC Limitations
- Public RPCs have restrictions
- May need paid RPC for reliability
- Geographic performance varies
Best For
- Experienced Solana developers
- Custom integration requirements
- Projects wanting zero external dependencies
Detailed Feature Comparison
Speed Comparison
| Token Size | Jumpbit | Helius | Smithii | Manual RPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10K holders | ~5s | ~3s | ~10s | ~15s |
| 100K holders | ~15s | ~10s | ~45s | ~60s |
| 1M holders | ~45s | ~30s | Timeout | Timeout |
Export Format Comparison
| Format | Jumpbit | Helius | Smithii | Manual RPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSV (Excel-ready) | ✅ Native | ❌ Build yourself | ✅ Limited | ❌ Build yourself |
| JSON | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Custom | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Jumpbit | Pay-per-use | Pay-per-use |
| Helius | Limited | $49-$499+/mo |
| Smithii | Very limited | $29+/mo |
| Manual RPC | Free (public) | RPC costs |
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Choose Jumpbit If:
- You need a quick, one-time snapshot
- You're not a developer
- You want CSV export without coding
- You have a large token (1M+ holders)
- You don't want subscriptions or API keys
Choose Helius If:
- You're building a custom application
- You need automated recurring snapshots
- You want full API programmability
- You have budget for subscriptions
- You need enterprise support
Choose Smithii If:
- You want visual analytics dashboards
- You're already in their ecosystem
- You need quick lookups (not bulk export)
- You prefer charts over raw data
Choose Manual RPC If:
- You're an experienced Solana developer
- You want zero external dependencies
- You need maximum customization
- You have smaller tokens (<100K holders)
Migration Considerations
Moving from Manual RPC to Jumpbit
If you've been writing custom scripts, Jumpbit can save hours of development time. Export your snapshot in seconds instead of maintaining code.
Moving from Helius/Smithii to Jumpbit
If you only need occasional snapshots (not automated), you can eliminate monthly subscriptions by using pay-per-use tools.
Moving from UI Tools to API
If your needs grow—recurring snapshots, custom integrations, automation—consider upgrading to Helius API for full programmability.
Key Takeaways
There's no single "best" tool—it depends on your needs:
- Simplest option: Jumpbit (no code, no subscription)
- Most powerful: Helius API (full programmability)
- Best analytics: Smithii (visual dashboards)
- Most control: Manual RPC (zero dependencies)
For most projects doing occasional airdrops or governance snapshots, a no-code tool like Jumpbit Token Snapshot offers the fastest path from mint address to CSV export.
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