GetBlock reports on the best 2022 blockchain node providers, including BNB, Polygon, and Ethereum node providers.
Nodes are an essential part in blockchain. The term “node” refers to computing devices that allow users to communicate complex messages to each other and track network activity. With the help of blockchain node providers, nodes can be easily accessed through the blockchain API.
What is a blockchain node provider?
Blockchain node providers give Web3 developers access to the node infrastructure without any mistakes or issues. They’re reliable for anyone who would like to develop blockchain apps. Decentralized blockchain consensus protocols allow providers to connect easily through various node infrastructures. This speeds up access and reduces costs since building and maintaining self-run infrastructures would be required.
What is the best blockchain node provider?
In this article GetBlock team discusses the 12 best API-driven services in 2022, including Ethereum node providers, BSC (BNB chain) node providers, and Polygon node providers. In no particular order, these are:
- GetBlock
- Infura
- Alchemy
- AWS
- Quicknode
- Chainstack
- Moralis
- Allnodes
- Tatum
- NowNodes
- Ankr
- Blockdaemon
GetBlock blockchain API provider
GetBlock is primarily a leading blockchain API node provider, which started operating in 2019. Its intuitive dashboard allows entrepreneurs and enthusiasts to access 50+ blockchains via JSON-RPC, REST and WebSocket APIs.
Nodes for more than 50 chains are available on GetBlock, including BNB Chain (formerly known as Binance Smart Chain), Ethereum Node, Bitcoin Node, and Polygon Node. In addition to accessing shared and dedicated nodes, GetBlock can also power your analytics tools with raw data from each of the top blockchains. The GetBlock team can create custom browsers for any blockchain and dApp. GetBlock’s dedicated nodes provide unlimited access to blockchain computing resources.
Last but not least, GetBlock is poised to shine in the blockchain consulting space. Its top engineers can support cryptocurrency entrepreneurs with expertise in on-premise deployment, blockchain node infrastructure rollout, transaction simulation, third-party system integration, private blockchain development and more.
Leveraging its software-as-a-service (SaaS) blockchain expertise, GetBlock is able to facilitate the seamless integration of distributed ledger solutions across startups with different profiles.
So GetBlock is definitely the number one heavyweight in this space:
- Unmatched number of blockchains supported;
- Widest range of services: tools for infrastructure, consulting, analytics, and so on;
- Most powerful demo plan with zero fees.
Infura blockchain API provider
Among blockchain veterans, Infura, a subsidiary of leading Ethereum development studio ConsenSys, is the benchmark BaaS platform in the field of EVM-compatible networking. Infura enables its customers to connect to Ethereum (ETH) main and testnets, Polygon Network, Arbitrum L2 solution, Interplanetary File System (IPFS), Web3 ‘Decentralized Internet’, Optimistic Ethereum and more.
Infura pricing includes a tariff-free plan that allows users to send a total of up to 100,000 requests per day, and includes up to 25,000 ETH mainnet archive requests per day. Paid plans start at $50 per month. There is also the option to try other services for free, such as layer 2 solutions.
Alchemy blockchain API provider
One of Infura’s competitors, Alchemy, has a strong focus on Ethereum L2 scaling: it connects dApps to Arbitrum and the Ethereum-based Optimism network. In addition to the Alchemy ETH node option, the platform is the first BaaS team to offer access to Crypto.com ‘corporate chain’.
Alchemy node providers have released a number of out-of-the-box solutions such as Free, Growth, and Enterprise. They are capable of launching and scaling various types of applications on EVM-compatible platforms and next-generation NFT-centric blockchain processes.
Alchemy nodes can be tried through the platform’s free plan with 300,000,000 compute units per month; however, Alchemy does not currently support BSC nodes.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) blockchain API provider
The most unusual item in our test was the digital heavyweight Amazon API, which provides access to the Ethereum (ETH) mainnet as well as the Ropsten and Rinkeby testnets.
In addition to getting connected to Ethereum, Amazon AWS allows users to set up node infrastructure and obtain permissions for their own distributed systems. Joining an Amazon Node Provider is free. Additionally, users only pay for the Amazon APIs they use.
Quicknode blockchain API provider
Seasoned BaaS vendors Quicknode delivered a toolkit for blockchain devs: the platform’s endpoints are compatible with major Web3 development SDKs: Truffle, Ruby, OpenZepellin, and so on. As of now, the Quicknode Ethereum node is a popular choice. Additionally, Quicknode API endpoints work with Solana (including Quicknode Websocket for Solana), Polygon, BNB Chain, Algorand, Harmony, Optimism, and more. Quicknode’s Discover Plan allows users to try out the platform’s API for free.
Chainstack blockchain API provider
This Singapore-based chainstack node provider offers access to a variety of popular blockchains, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Solana, NEAR Protocol, and more. Chainstack API endpoints are also available for BNB Chain, Harmony, Avalanche, and other Web3 networks.
In addition to node access services, chainstack providers also offer custody and marketplace solutions. Chainstack doesn’t have a free plan, but enthusiasts can try the “Developer” plan, which charges only for usage.
Moralis blockchain API provider
The BNB chain, Ethereum, Polygon blockchain, and Arbitrum L2 solutions can be used with Moralis’ web API-based “serverless” dApp dashboard. Moralis can also be referred to as an alternative to BSC Infura.
Moralis API access is widely used to further manage blockchain data.
Additionally, the platform released its software development kit (SDK) and various out-of-the-box solutions for decentralized applications, NFT marketplaces, multi-chain wallets, and more. For example, the Moralis Archive Node Service provided to users.
Allnodes blockchain API provider
US-based team Allnodes provider released a blockchain node access service for over 60 protocols, both mainstream (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain) and rare (Crown, Wagerr, Phore). There is no free plan, but for paid plans, Allnodes API service pricing starts from $2/month which is negligible.
In addition to accessing blockchain nodes, Allnodes has aso launched a staking dashboard for several proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchains, including Ethereum 2.0. Monitor and master mode options are also available.
Tatum blockchain API provider
Tatum’s team enables its clients to connect to over 40 blockchains as well as add-on projects. For example, the Tatum provider allows users to integrate three versions of the Tether (USDT) stablecoin, three versions of the USD Coin (USDC), and more. All blockchains are accessed through REST API methods.
The free plan allows developers to send 5 requests per second, while paid plans start at $7. According to the Tatum node provider team, its services are used by Deloitte, Microsoft, and Mastercard. The Tatum API infrastructure has huge community support.
NowNodes blockchain API provide
NowNodes is a side project of ChangeNow, a powerful cryptocurrency trading platform. NowNodes connects customers to 40+ blockchains, including a P2P solution exclusively for Free TON, a Telegram community project.
Additionally, the NowNodes provider has developed a set of solutions for decentralized businesses. The platform provides instant access to NowNodes API solutions.
Ankr blockchain API provider
Currently, Ankr node provider supports 27 chains and offers a globally distributed decentralized node provider model, as well as hybrid RPC endpoints, game SDKs, liquidity staking and other services. The standard Ankr API without advanced extensions is free. While the premium plan based on the pay-as-you-go model requires a minimum deposit of 1000 ANKR tokens.
In addition, Ankr uses Intel SGX as one of its core technology components, which means users can run dApps without any hardware.
Blockdaemon blockchain API provider
Last but not least, Blockdaemon, a US-based platform launched in 2017 that allows users to deploy and scale nodes to over 60 different networks. Customers can try out the platform’s services for free.
Blockdaemon boasts its uptime, security, and slashing insurance. Additionally, Blockdaemon node provider use institutional-grade security and is trusted by several major corporations. Blockdaemon pricing varies by node type and specification.
Blockchain node provider trends in 2022
To sum up, the GetBlock team noticed several trends that have affected blockchain node providers’ segment in 2022:
- Stressed interest in Ethereum L2 solutions (Arbitrum, Optimism).
- BNB Chain nodes and Polygon nodes are the two fastest-growing platforms for dApps.
- BaaS services develop the ‘ready-made’ instruments for NFTs, wallets, marketplaces.
- Best blockchain node providers in 2022 offer consulting services modules for individuals and enterprises.
Bottom line: How to choose the best blockchain node provider?
As mentioned above, Web3 developers can save a lot of money and time by deploying hosted nodes themselves or using the services of a blockchain node provider.
Blockchain node providers implement cutting-edge technologies to help users improve their decentralized products. According to the needs and requirements of each user, choosing a blockchain node provider is an important task. To make process of finding and selecting provider easier and more efficient, GetBlock has narrowed down the list of 12 top-performing providers in 2022.
