You can monitor on-chain events on Solana through polling, WebSockets, Geyser, or Helius webhooks. Each approach has unique advantages and trade-offs.
Why Monitoring Blockchain Events Matters
One of the foundational tasks for crypto developers is building systems to track blockchain activity. Common use cases include:
- Payment confirmations
- NFT sales tracking
- Fund transfer monitoring
- Security-focused account surveillance
Regardless of the specific application, your monitoring system must prioritize three key attributes:
- Fault tolerance
- Reliability
- Latency optimization
This guide explores several methods to achieve these goals on Solana.
Core Approaches to Event Monitoring
There are two primary paradigms for tracking on-chain activity:
1. Polling
- How it works: Repeatedly checks for updates at fixed intervals
- Best for: Simple implementations or custom logic requirements
- Drawbacks: Inefficient for high-frequency updates
2. Streaming
- How it works: Receives real-time push notifications of changes
- Best for: Most Solana use cases due to high transaction volume
- Advantages: More efficient and scalable
For Solana's fast-paced environment (new blocks every 400ms), streaming is generally preferred.
Solana Monitoring Methods Compared
| Method | Latency | Complexity | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polling | High | Low | Custom logic implementations |
| WebSockets | Medium | Medium | Prototyping |
| Geyser | Very Low | High | Latency-sensitive applications |
| Helius Webhooks | Low | Very Low | Most production systems |
1. Polling Implementation
While conceptually simple, polling is least efficient for Solana's high-throughput environment. Common JSON-RPC methods include:
// Example: Polling for new blocks
const latestBlock = await connection.getBlock();2. WebSockets
Solana RPC exposes PubSub WebSockets supporting these event types:
- Account changes
- Program updates
- Transaction logs
- Slot notifications
Example Code:
connection.onAccountChange(
publicKey,
(updatedInfo) => handleUpdate(updatedInfo),
'confirmed'
);Important Caveat: WebSockets can be unreliable for mission-critical workflows.
3. Geyser Plugin
The fastest method with nanosecond-level latency:
- Pros: Essential for DeFi liquidations and latency-sensitive apps
- Cons: Requires significant DevOps resources
👉 Learn about GeyserVM for simplified implementation
4. Helius Webhooks
The most practical solution for most use cases:
- Supports monitoring 100,000+ addresses
- Easy server integration
- Cost-effective scaling
## Real-World Applications
### Trading Bots
- Trigger NFT purchases when listed on specific markets
- Execute liquidations for undercollateralized positions
### Monitoring Systems
- Alert via PagerDuty for critical program logs
- Send Discord/Slack notifications for large token movements
### Data Indexing
- Stream transactions directly to databases
- Power analytics pipelines with real-time events
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## FAQ
### Q: Which method has the lowest latency?
A: Geyser provides near-instantaneous data transmission (<5ms).
### Q: Are WebSockets reliable for production systems?
A: They can miss events during network instability—better suited for prototyping.
### Q: Can I monitor multiple programs simultaneously?
A: Yes, Helius webhooks support tracking up to 100,000 addresses/programs.
👉 [Explore advanced monitoring configurations](https://www.okx.com/join/BLOCKSTAR)
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## Key Takeaways
1. Streaming outperforms polling for most Solana applications
2. Webhooks offer the best balance of simplicity and reliability
3. Geyser provides unmatched speed for specialized use cases
4. Choose your solution based on latency requirements and team resources