Alchemy vs The Graph: RPC Node Suite vs Decentralized Indexing
Alchemy is a centralized blockchain infrastructure platform that supplies RPC node access, data APIs, and account abstraction across 100+ blockchains. The Graph is a decentralized indexing protocol that lets developers extract and query smart contract data across 60+ networks using GraphQL.
Architecture and service scope divide them. As a full-stack node provider, Alchemy offers RPC endpoints and Solana gRPC access alongside a free tier of 30 million compute units monthly. Meanwhile, The Graph focuses on indexed contract queries powered by an open-source network of over 100 independent indexer nodes. Pricing structures also diverge. Rates start at $0.525 per 1,000,000 compute units on Alchemy, while The Graph bills at $20 per million queries after a monthly allowance of 100,000 free queries in Subgraph Studio.
Quick verdict
The choice between these two platforms comes down to whether an application requires direct node communication or specialized querying over historical smart contract events. Architecture drives the decision. Alchemy acts as a centralized gateway for reading, writing, and broadcasting transactions across 100+ networks, backed by enterprise service level agreements up to 99.995% uptime. The Graph coordinates independent indexers through an open-source protocol and GraphQL schemas rather than centralized database servers.
Choose Alchemy if your project needs raw RPC connections, gas sponsorship, or Solana archive and gRPC support. The service is straightforward. Its 30 million free monthly compute units and dedicated single-tenant tiers suit teams seeking managed developer tooling without maintaining subgraphs or handling token staking dynamics.
Choose The Graph if you build decentralized applications that require custom event filtering and an open-source indexing pipeline across 60+ networks. Decentralization matters here. Its pay-per-query structure through Subgraph Studio at $20 per million queries fits teams that want data retrieval without routing production requests through a single infrastructure company.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Our score | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Reliability | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Chain coverage | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Pricing | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Developer experience | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Support | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Specs | ||
| Services | RPC / nodes, Data APIs, Wallet APIs, Account abstraction, Developer tooling | Indexing |
| Chains supported | 100 | 60 |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing from | $0.525 per 1,000,000 compute units | $20 per million queries |
| Enterprise SLA | Yes | Not disclosed |
| Open source | Not disclosed | Yes |
| Token | Not disclosed | GRT |
| Uptime SLA | 99.99% | 99.99% |
| Free tier limits | 30M compute units per month, up to 15 RPS, 5 apps, 5 webhooks | 100,000 queries per month |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2017 | 2018 |
| Headquarters | United States | — |
| Investors | Archetype | Digital Currency Group, Multicoin Capital, Reciprocal Ventures, Tiger Global Management +15 |
| Strengths and weaknesses | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Best for | Multichain application teams, Solana developers, Account-abstraction products | Dapp frontend developers, DeFi protocol data teams, Cross-chain analytics platforms |
Highlighted cells show the stronger value in each row. Data comes from each provider's site and public sources; check details before you sign up.
FAQ
What is the main difference between Alchemy and The Graph?
Alchemy is a full-stack RPC node and wallet infrastructure provider, whereas The Graph is a decentralized protocol dedicated to indexing and querying smart contract data. Alchemy routes direct node traffic across 100+ chains, while The Graph uses open-source subgraphs to organize event logs across 60+ networks.
Which platform offers a more generous free tier?
Alchemy offers 30 million compute units per month on its free plan, while The Graph provides 100,000 free monthly queries in Subgraph Studio. Alchemy's allowance covers RPC requests, data APIs, and up to five webhooks, whereas The Graph's tier applies strictly to GraphQL queries.
Does The Graph provide RPC node endpoints?
No, The Graph does not offer general RPC node access or transaction broadcasting services. It is strictly an indexing and data querying network powered by independent indexers.
Can applications use both Alchemy and The Graph together?
Yes, many decentralized applications run both services in parallel. Alchemy commonly provides the base RPC endpoint for submitting user transactions and reading state, while The Graph handles historical event filtering and complex frontend queries through subgraphs.