As the crypto segment is still trapped in a painful recession, and the next ‘bull run’ is nowhere near, the time has come to choose customizable and flexible ‘out-of-a-box’ solutions for Web3 infrastructure.
In this text, we’re going to review the offerings of top blockchain RPC providers and compare actual costs of using their services in various use-cases.
Seeking for the best nodes provider for dApps: Top 3 Blockchain RPC Services
Blockchain RPC services are designed to connect dApps to blockchains without the necessity to run their own nodes. As such, these services are designed to streamline the processes of Web3 development.
What makes a perfect blockchain RPC provider?
- Cost-efficiency (maximum number of requests to blockchain per USD);
- Speed (maximum number of requests per second);
- Availability (highest possible uptime, the percentage of time an API endpoint is available);
- Latency (lowest possible time of data processing from sender to receiver);
- Multi-functionality (wide range of additional services including the likes of webhooks, explorers, and so on).
This review isn’t intended to cover all aspects of blockchain RPC providers' performance; instead, we’re attempting to focus on cost-efficiency and flexibility of the services offered by three segment’s ‘blue-chips’:
- GetBlock
- QuickNode
- Alchemy
To test their services, we decided to compare some popular types of methods (commands) used by the dApps on Ethereum (ETH) and EVM-compatible blockchains.
Behind plans, prices and requests: What is a compute unit (CU)?
In our analysis, we’re going to use the term ‘compute unit’ or CU. This metric is designed to measure the amount of computing power needed to execute this or that request to blockchains.
As some methods (commands) are more difficult to execute than others, their execution takes more CUs from a user’s balance.
To compare the performance of GetBlock, QuickNode, and Alchemy, we experimented with following methods:
eth_call - calls read-only functions of a smart contract, doesn’t create new transaction;
eth_getBalance - returns the balance of the account of given address
eth_getBlockByNumber - returns information about a block by block number
trace_block - returns traces created at given block
trace_transaction - returns all traces of given transaction
eth_blockNumber - returns the number of the most recent block
| RPC Method | Number of CUs spent per one method (Quicknode) | Number of CUs spent per one method (Alchemy) | Number of CUs spent per one method (GetBlock) |
|---|---|---|---|
| eth_blockNumber | 1 | 10 | 1 |
| eth_call | 2 | 26 | 1 |
| eth_getBalance | 2 | 19 | 1 |
| eth_getBlockByNumber | 2 | 16 | 1 |
| trace_block | 1 | 24 | 1 |
| trace_transaction | 2 | 26 | 1 |
| AVERAGE | 1.7 | 20.2 | 1 |
GetBlock leverages different metrics: its ‘request’ always consumes one ‘request’ from the user account whatever methods he/she uses.
As such, for this analysis, we can assume that 1 GetBlock’s request is equal to 1,7 CU of QuickNode or 20,2 CU of Alchemy.
Best Blockchain RPC Providers for 2023: Basics
As we mentioned above, out of three providers, GetBlock uses ‘request’ as a measure of computing resources its user can leverage while QuickNode and Alchemy customers purchase CUs.
Also, GetBlock is the only blockchain RPC provider in our review to employ a ‘pay per use’ model: its requests have no ‘expiration date’ so that users only pay for the resources they actually use.
| Blockchain RPC provider | Measure | Pay per Use | GetBlock request ‘weight’ | Number of blockchains (mainnets) available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GetBlock | Request | Yes | 1 | 51 |
| QuickNode | CU | No | 1.7 | 16 |
| Alchemy | CU | No | 20.2 | 7 |
As such, GetBlock offers the highest number of blockchains for its users to highlight its commitment to ‘all-in-one’ principles.
Best Free Blockchain RPC Providers for 2023: Shared Nodes
Free tariffs allow devs to run early-stage dApps, to test new technical designs or to experiment with nodes for personal usage. As such, blockchain nodes providers launch free tariffs as entry-level offerings.
Shared node offerings are available with some limitations: limited throughput (requests per second), limited net number of requests sent, and so on. Let’s overview the conditions of free tariffs offered by GetBlock, QuickNode, and Alchemy.
| Blockchain RPC provider | CUs | Requests | Rate limit, RPS | Number of endpoints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GetBlock | 1 200 000 | 1 200 000 | 60 | Unlimited |
| QuickNode | 10 000 000 | 5 882 353 | 25 | 1 |
| Alchemy | 300 000 000 | 14 851 485 | 16 | 5 |
That said, while Alchemy and QuickNode offer larger numbers of requests, GetBlock guarantees the highest rate limit in free tariff.
Web3 developers can share 1 200 000 requests between the unlimited number of blockchains; this allows them to try more networks and optimize resources as GetBlock is the only blockchain RPC provider with the unlimited number of endpoints in free tariff.
Best Blockchain RPC Providers for 2023: Premium Tariffs
To allow their clients scale and add new features, blockchain RPC providers offer premium tariffs with enhanced opportunities. Typically, that includes a higher number of requests, maximum rate limit metrics and upgraded support line.
| Blockchain RPC provider | Price, USD | Requests | Price per 10,000 requests, USD | Rate limit, RPS | Number of endpoints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GetBlock | 499 | Unlimited | Up to 0.01 | Up to 120 | Unlimited |
| QuickNode | 299 | 70 588 235 | 0.04 | 300 | 20 |
| Alchemy | 49 | 19 801 980 | 0.02 | 33 | 15 |
GetBlock’s premium offer (unlimited package with x2 rate limits) appears to be a smart bet for resource-efficient development: it offers unlimited number of requests together with lowest price per 10,000 requests.
To activate this special package, please reach out to our team: https://getblock.io/contact/
Compared to relevant offerings of our competitors, this service can save $200-$800 per month (for dApps with continuos load). Should you project work without continuos load, our smart solution will use Pay-per-use packages that don’t expire in a month.
Meanwhile, when it comes to RPS on premium plans, QuickNode’s offering is the fastest one.
Just like in the previous comparison, GetBlock is the only blockchain RPC provider that allows its users to create an unlimited number of endpoints within one account.
Best Blockchain RPC Providers for 2023: Customized Offers
When it comes to customized premium offerings (dedicated nodes that provide private access to blockchain), GetBlock is among the most user-oriented blockchain nodes providers. Namely, it can set up a purpose-made solution for high-performance dApps with eye-watering features:
This offer is particularly attractive for the products with 1-2 blockchain protocols used:
- 1000+ requests per second (RPS);
- Archive data;
- All customizable configurations tailored for certain use-case;
- Low-cost trial period;
- Dedicated support line
In addition to that, GetBlock released a dedicated nodes configurator to streamline the process of setting up dedicated nodes: it can be configured for your use-case in (literally) three clicks.
Wrapping up: Things to look for when choosing a blockchain RPC provider
To sum up, every blockchain RPC provider has its own strong points. Meanwhile, GetBlock champions cost-efficient and smart approach to development resources. This, in turn, allows Web3 devs to make engineering processes more resource-optimized, and, eventually, reduce net costs of development.
Order GetBlock shared nodes for free, or try custom-made dedicated node for just $50: https://account.getblock.io/sign-in
