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Did you know that many mining pools take a cut of your rewards?
Yep, it’s true. And the worst part? A lot of miners don’t even realize it’s happening.
Imagine hitting a Bitcoin block worth $250,000 and quietly losing 2% to pool fees. That’s $5,000 gone for doing the exact same work. No warning, no alert, just less BTC in your wallet.
The good news: you don’t have to pay these fees.
Below are a few ways to avoid mining pool fees altogether, starting from the easiest option and working up to more advanced setups.
1. Join a Zero-Fee Mining Pool (Easiest)
The simplest way to avoid fees is to mine with a pool that charges 0%.
“But how do I find those?”
Easy, use Mining Pool Stats:
👉 https://miningpoolstats.stream/
Once you’re there, just:
- Look for the “Fees” column
- Sort or scan for pools with 0% fees
- Pick one that fits your hashrate and payout preferences
Example:
For Bitcoin solo mining, a well-known pool is SOLOCK, which charges a 2% fee.
A solid zero-fee alternative is Public-Pool, which lets you keep 100% of your rewards.
Same work. Same block reward. More money in your pocket.
2. Run Your Own Home Node (More Control, No Pool Fees)
If you want maximum independence and zero pool fees, running your own node is the way to go.
There are two main approaches:
Option 1: Umbrel (Beginner-Friendly)
Umbrel is the easiest way to run a Bitcoin node at home. It handles most of the setup for you and gives you a clean dashboard to manage everything.
We already have a complete step-by-step guide on setting up a home node with Umbrel, making this a great option for miners who want simplicity without sacrificing control.
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Beginner friendly
- No pool fees
Cons:
- Limited flexibility for newer or experimental coins
You can find the full setup guide here for a BTC solo node 👇
Option 2: Proxmox (Advanced Users)
For more experienced users, Proxmox offers a powerful alternative.
With this setup, you:
- Run your own virtual machines (VMs)
- Install Bitcoin Core (or other node software) manually
- Solo mine without paying any pool fees
- Gain access to mining newer or niche coins that Umbrel doesn’t support
This route requires more technical knowledge, and we don’t currently have a guide published for it, but it offers the highest level of flexibility and control.
Pros:
- Full control
- Zero fees
- Ability to solo mine newer coins
Cons:
- Advanced setup
- Manual maintenance required
Final Thoughts
Mining pool fees might seem small, but over time, or with a big block, they add up fast. Whether it’s a few hundred dollars or several thousand, that’s money you earned.
If you want the easiest fix: switch to a zero-fee pool.
If you want full sovereignty: run your own node.
Either way, stop giving away your rewards without realizing it.
Your hashrate.
Your block.
Your BTC. If you’re ready to start your mining journey, this bundle includes everything you need — plus step-by-step instructions to get set up fast.
At checkout, make sure to add the Earnings Boost to accelerate your results and speed up your learning curve.
You’ll also get access to a live demo showing exactly how to avoid paying mining pool fees and keep more of your rewards.
