Docs
Networks
Testnet vs mainnet, RPC and passphrases, how to fund each, who signs your transactions, and what mainnet costs.
WebSoroban runs on both Stellar networks. Switch with the network selector in the IDE header. Testnet is the default; mainnet is opt-in and spends real XLM.
Your wallet is the same address on both networks, only funding and signing differ. A contract deployed on testnet is separate from one deployed on mainnet.
Testnet vs mainnet#
| testnet | Mainnet | |
|---|---|---|
| XLM | free, worthless | real, irreversible |
| Faucet | Friendbot | none, you fund it |
| Passphrase | Test SDF Network ; September 2015 | Public Global Stellar Network ; September 2015 |
| Explorer | stellar.expert/explorer/testnet | stellar.expert/explorer/public |
| Default signer | WebSoroban (custodial) | your connected wallet (non-custodial) |
Mainnet is real money
Mainnet transactions cost real XLM and cannot be undone. WebSoroban always simulates first, shows the fee in XLM, and asks you to confirm before signing, and never deploys or invokes on mainnet on its own.
Who signs your transactions#
On testnet, WebSoroban signs with the wallet it generated for you.
On mainnet you choose, in the funding guide or the wallet panel:
- Connect a wallet (recommended, default), Freighter, xBull, Albedo, Lobstr, or Hana. The browser wallet signs; your mainnet key never reaches our servers.
- Custodial (opt-in), WebSoroban signs with the key it stores for you. Faster, but a server-held key signs your real-fund transactions. You must explicitly acknowledge the risk to enable it.
Funding a mainnet wallet#
There is no faucet on mainnet.
Get XLM
Buy XLM on an exchange (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance) or use another Stellar wallet.
Send it to your address
Withdraw to your wallet's public address (G…), shown, copyable, in the
funding guide. It's your own account, so no memo is needed.
Keep a buffer
An account needs ~1 XLM base reserve, ~0.5 XLM per ledger entry, plus fees and rent. Keep a few XLM beyond your first deploy.
What it costs#
- Deploy, a one-time fee plus storage rent for the contract, typically a few XLM.
- Invoke (write), a small per-call fee, often a fraction of an XLM, shown before you sign.
- Read calls, free. They simulate, with no signature.
Configure mainnet RPC#
SDF runs no public mainnet Soroban RPC. The deployment points at a provider
endpoint via MAINNET_SOROBAN_RPC_URL; self-hosters must set their own.
Next#
- Export your private key to self-custody before relying on mainnet.
- Deploy and Invoke are network-aware, pick the network first.