NOWNodes excels at providing a unified, developer-friendly API for a vast network of blockchains, currently supporting over 80+ networks including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana. This is achieved through a standardized REST API and RPC endpoint structure, which simplifies integration for teams building across multiple ecosystems. For example, their service boasts a 99.9% SLA-backed uptime, which is critical for high-availability applications in DeFi protocols like Aave or Uniswap.
NOWNodes vs GetBlock for Multi-Chain Support
Introduction
A data-driven comparison of NOWNodes and GetBlock for multi-chain blockchain infrastructure.
GetBlock takes a different approach by offering deep, native access to node APIs, including not only standard JSON-RPC but also WebSockets and specialized APIs for networks like TON. This results in a trade-off of greater technical flexibility and control for developers who need low-level access, but can require more integration work compared to a fully homogenized API. Their platform supports 50+ blockchains, with a strong focus on EVM-compatible chains and emerging Layer 1s.
The key trade-off: If your priority is rapid development and a consistent experience across a massive portfolio of chains, choose NOWNodes. If you prioritize technical depth, specialized protocols, and raw API access for performance-critical applications, choose GetBlock.
TL;DR: Key Differentiators
A data-driven breakdown of core strengths and trade-offs for multi-chain node infrastructure.
NOWNodes: Breadth of Coverage
Specific advantage: Supports 80+ blockchains including major L1s (Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain) and emerging L2s (Arbitrum, Polygon zkEVM). This matters for protocols and dApps that need a single API endpoint for a diverse portfolio of chains, reducing integration complexity.
NOWNodes: Free Tier & Simplicity
Specific advantage: Offers a permanent free plan with 3,000 daily requests and access to shared nodes. This matters for early-stage startups and developers prototyping on multiple chains without immediate infrastructure costs or commitment.
GetBlock: Performance & Reliability
Specific advantage: Provides dedicated node access with guaranteed uptime (99.9% SLA) and higher request limits. This matters for high-frequency trading bots, DeFi aggregators, and enterprise applications where latency and reliability are non-negotiable.
GetBlock: Advanced Features & Control
Specific advantage: Includes WebSocket support, archive data access, and node customization (e.g., enabling/disabling specific modules). This matters for real-time data feeds, historical analytics, and protocols requiring deep chain interaction beyond simple RPC calls.
NOWNodes vs GetBlock: Multi-Chain Support Comparison
Direct comparison of key metrics and features for multi-chain node infrastructure providers.
| Metric | NOWNodes | GetBlock |
|---|---|---|
Supported Blockchains | 80+ | 50+ |
Free Tier Daily Requests | 10,000 | 40,000 |
Dedicated Node Pricing (Entry) | $149/month | $299/month |
Shared Node Availability | ||
Archive Node Support | ||
WebSocket API | ||
Historical Data API | ||
Average API Response Time | < 1 sec | < 1 sec |
Pricing & Cost Analysis
Direct cost and feature comparison for multi-chain node API services.
| Metric | NOWNodes | GetBlock |
|---|---|---|
Free Tier Requests/Day | 100,000 | 40,000 |
Paid Plan Entry Price | $49/month | $29/month |
Chains Supported | 80+ | 50+ |
Shared Node Rate Limit | 100 RPS | 60 RPS |
Dedicated Node Starting Price | $399/month | $299/month |
Archive Node Access | ||
Historical Data Requests | ||
WebSocket Support |
NOWNodes vs GetBlock: Multi-Chain Support
A data-driven breakdown of strengths and trade-offs for infrastructure buyers choosing between these two major RPC providers.
NOWNodes: Breadth of Coverage
Supports 90+ blockchains including major L1s (Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain) and emerging L2s (Arbitrum, Polygon, Base). This matters for protocols like cross-chain DEXs (e.g., 1inch) or portfolio trackers that need a single API for diverse asset queries.
NOWNodes: Free Tier Viability
Offers a permanent free plan with 20,000 daily requests and access to shared nodes. This matters for early-stage projects, hackathon teams, or developers testing integrations with protocols like Uniswap or OpenSea before committing budget.
NOWNodes: Trade-off on Advanced Features
Limited archive data and specialized APIs compared to competitors. While it provides core JSON-RPC, it may lack deep historical queries or specialized endpoints (e.g., Etherscan-like APIs) needed for complex analytics dashboards or on-chain forensics tools.
GetBlock: Enhanced Node Types
Provides dedicated, shared, and testnet nodes with granular control. Dedicated nodes offer guaranteed resources (CPU, RAM) and are critical for high-frequency trading bots, NFT minting platforms, or any application requiring consistent sub-second latency.
GetBlock: Advanced Data & Tooling
Features WebSockets, archive data, and NFT APIs out-of-the-box. This matters for real-time applications (e.g., live dashboards using The Graph), services requiring full history, or marketplaces indexing ERC-721/1155 transfers from protocols like Blur.
GetBlock: Trade-off on Entry Cost
No permanent free tier; paid plans start after a limited trial. This creates a higher barrier to initial experimentation compared to NOWNodes, which can slow down proof-of-concept development for startups or indie developers.
GetBlock: Pros and Cons
Key strengths and trade-offs for multi-chain node infrastructure at a glance.
GetBlock: Superior Chain Coverage
Specific advantage: Supports 50+ blockchains, including niche L2s like zkSync Era and Starknet. This matters for protocols building on emerging ecosystems who need a single, unified API endpoint for rapid deployment across multiple chains.
GetBlock: Advanced Developer Tooling
Specific advantage: Offers WebSocket subscriptions, real-time alerts, and dedicated nodes. This matters for high-frequency trading bots, NFT marketplaces, and DeFi dashboards that require low-latency data streams and reliable uptime (99.9% SLA).
GetBlock: Higher Cost for Scale
Specific advantage: Dedicated node pricing starts at ~$500/month. This matters for early-stage startups or projects with unpredictable traffic where the fixed cost of a dedicated node may be prohibitive compared to pay-as-you-go shared services.
GetBlock: Complex Setup for Dedicated Nodes
Specific advantage: Requires manual configuration and longer provisioning time for dedicated infrastructure. This matters for teams needing instant, self-serve access to a wide array of chains without operational overhead for node maintenance.
NOWNodes: Cost-Effective Shared Access
Specific advantage: Free tier and simple pay-per-request pricing for 50+ chains. This matters for prototyping, hackathons, and MVPs where budget is a primary constraint and traffic is initially low.
NOWNodes: Simpler, Faster Onboarding
Specific advantage: API keys are generated instantly for all supported chains. This matters for developers who need to test RPC calls across Ethereum, BSC, and Polygon immediately without waiting for sales or approval processes.
When to Choose NOWNodes vs GetBlock
NOWNodes for DeFi
Verdict: The premium choice for established, high-value protocols. Strengths: Superior reliability (99.9% SLA) and security (dedicated node access) are critical for managing TVL. Supports Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Arbitrum with deep archive data for complex analytics. Ideal for protocols like Aave, Uniswap, or Compound forks where uptime is non-negotiable. Trade-off: Higher cost structure; overkill for simple RPC calls.
GetBlock for DeFi
Verdict: The cost-effective workhorse for prototyping and scaling. Strengths: Lower entry cost with a generous free tier (40K daily requests). Faster integration via shared nodes for chains like Solana, Avalanche, and Fantom. Excellent for deploying and testing new DEXs or lending markets before committing to dedicated infrastructure. Trade-off: Shared nodes may have rate limits during peak network congestion, a risk for mainnet deployments.
Final Verdict and Decision Framework
A data-driven breakdown to guide CTOs in selecting the optimal RPC provider for their multi-chain strategy.
NOWNodes excels at providing a unified, developer-friendly interface for a massive network of over 90 blockchains, including major L1s like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, as well as niche L2s and appchains. Its strength lies in predictable, simple pricing with a generous free tier (up to 100,000 requests/day) and a single API key for all chains, which drastically simplifies integration and management for teams building across ecosystems. For example, a protocol deploying on Arbitrum, Polygon, and BNB Chain can manage all RPC traffic through one dashboard, reducing operational overhead.
GetBlock takes a different approach by offering deep, granular control and high-performance dedicated nodes. This results in a trade-off between simplicity and raw power. While it supports 50+ networks, its value proposition is strongest for applications requiring dedicated node access, historical data archives, or WebSocket streams with guaranteed uptime SLAs (99.95%+). This model is ideal for high-frequency trading bots on Avalanche or NFT marketplaces on Ethereum needing sub-second block times and consistent performance, but it comes with a more complex setup and a higher cost structure for premium features.
The key trade-off is between operational simplicity and performance customization. NOWNodes offers a streamlined, cost-effective gateway ideal for startups, dApps with moderate traffic, and teams prioritizing rapid multi-chain deployment without infrastructure headaches. GetBlock provides an enterprise-grade, customizable solution for established protocols with high-throughput demands, complex data needs, and the budget for dedicated resources. Consider NOWNodes if your priority is developer velocity, a simple pricing model, and supporting a vast array of chains from day one. Choose GetBlock when your application demands guaranteed high TPS, dedicated node isolation, and you have the engineering resources to manage a more complex, performance-optimized setup.
Get In Touch
today.
Our experts will offer a free quote and a 30min call to discuss your project.