Alchemy's Supernode excels at high-performance data retrieval and developer experience, built on a proprietary distributed system. This results in consistently high throughput and sub-100ms latency for the latest 128 blocks, crucial for real-time dApps and high-frequency trading protocols. For example, its eth_getLogs performance is optimized for queries across large block ranges, a common pain point for DeFi analytics platforms.
LABS
Comparisons
Alchemy's Supernode vs Infura's Archive Node
A technical comparison of premium data access tiers from leading RPC providers, analyzing performance, cost, and architecture for enterprise blockchain applications.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction: The Enterprise Data Access Decision
Choosing between Alchemy's Supernode and Infura's Archive Node is a foundational infrastructure decision that balances performance, data depth, and cost.
Infura's Archive Node takes a different approach by providing direct, unfiltered access to a full archival Ethereum node. This strategy guarantees data integrity and completeness, as it's a direct gateway to the canonical chain. The trade-off is potential variability in request latency compared to optimized endpoints, but it offers the gold standard for applications requiring exhaustive historical data, such as on-chain forensics or compliance auditing.
The key trade-off: If your priority is developer velocity, predictable low-latency APIs, and handling high-volume real-time queries, choose Alchemy's Supernode. If you prioritize absolute data verifiability, direct node access, and deep historical analysis without intermediary layers, choose Infura's Archive Node. Your choice fundamentally dictates whether you optimize for the present state or the complete historical record.
tldr-summary
Alchemy Supernode vs. Infura Archive Node
TL;DR: Key Differentiators at a Glance
A high-level comparison of core architectural and service-level trade-offs for CTOs and architects.
01
Alchemy Supernode: Performance & Reliability
Superior core API performance: Benchmarked 3-5x faster response times for complex calls like eth_getLogs. This matters for high-frequency dApps, real-time dashboards, and trading bots where latency is critical.
02
Alchemy Supernode: Enhanced Data & Debugging
Advanced data layers: Built-in access to Alchemy's Transfers API and NFT API without extra configuration. Superior debugging with trace methods and dedicated webhooks. This matters for building complex DeFi aggregators, NFT marketplaces, and applications requiring deep transaction introspection.
03
Infura Archive Node: Breadth & Multi-Chain Simplicity
Unified multi-chain access: Single API key and consistent interface for Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and 10+ other networks. This matters for protocols deploying on multiple L2s or EVM chains, reducing integration complexity and vendor management overhead.
04
Infura Archive Node: Enterprise SLAs & Consensys Ecosystem
Formal Enterprise SLA with guaranteed 99.9%+ uptime and dedicated support. Tight integration with the Consensys stack (MetaMask, Truffle, Diligence). This matters for regulated institutions, large-scale enterprises, and teams already invested in the Consensys toolchain who require contractual reliability.
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Alchemy Supernode vs Infura Archive Node
Direct comparison of key metrics and features for enterprise-grade Ethereum node services.
| Metric / Feature | Alchemy Supernode | Infura Archive Node |
|---|---|---|
Archive Data Availability | ||
Historical Block Range | Genesis block | Genesis block |
Max Requests per Second (RPS) | Unmetered | Unmetered |
Enhanced APIs (NFT, Transfers, Debug) | ||
WebSocket Connections | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Data Consistency Guarantee | Strong | Eventual |
Multi-Region Redundancy | ||
Free Tier Available |
pros-cons-a
PROS AND CONS ANALYSIS
Alchemy Supernode vs. Infura Archive Node
A data-driven comparison for CTOs and architects choosing a high-performance, archival-grade node provider. Metrics focus on reliability, data access, and developer experience.
01
Alchemy Supernode: Unmatched Data Depth
Full transaction trace and state history: Provides debug_traceTransaction and trace_filter APIs out-of-the-box, enabling deep analytics and debugging for protocols like Aave or Uniswap V3. This is critical for building complex DeFi dashboards or forensic tools.
100%
Trace API Coverage
02
Alchemy Supernode: Superior Reliability & Speed
Industry-leading 99.9%+ SLA and sub-100ms p95 latency: Engineered for zero-downtime applications. The proprietary Supernode architecture reduces stale blocks and missed events, which is non-negotiable for high-frequency trading bots or real-time NFT minting platforms.
>99.9%
Uptime SLA
<100ms
p95 Latency
03
Infura Archive Node: Proven Scale & Multi-Chain Simplicity
Battle-tested infrastructure supporting 400k+ developers and 10+ chains: A single API key provides access to Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism archive data. This reduces integration complexity for teams deploying cross-chain applications or managing multiple protocol dependencies.
10+
Supported Chains
04
Infura Archive Node: Predictable Cost Structure
Clear, request-based pricing tiers without complex add-ons. Archive data access is included in standard paid plans, making it easier to forecast costs for applications with predictable, high-volume query patterns, such as block explorers or batch data processors.
05
Alchemy Trade-off: Premium Pricing
Higher cost for advanced features: The enhanced data APIs and performance guarantees come at a premium. For projects that only need basic eth_getLogs for historical data, this can be an unnecessary expense compared to more basic archive node providers.
06
Infura Trade-off: Limited Advanced Debugging
No native transaction tracing APIs: Requires workarounds or external services for deep state inspection. This adds development overhead for teams building complex smart contract tools, security scanners, or needing to replay historical state changes precisely.
pros-cons-b
Alchemy Supernode vs Infura Archive Node
Infura Archive Node: Strengths and Trade-offs
A data-driven comparison for CTOs and architects evaluating premium archive node providers. Focus on performance, reliability, and ecosystem fit.
01
Alchemy Supernode: Superior Performance & Data Integrity
Specific advantage: 99.9%+ historical data accuracy and sub-100ms response times for complex queries. This matters for DeFi protocols like Aave or Uniswap V3 that require flawless historical state for analytics and on-chain arbitrage. Alchemy's proprietary Transmute technology rebuilds data from scratch, ensuring consistency.
>99.9%
Data Accuracy
<100ms
Query Latency
03
Infura Archive Node: Proven Enterprise Reliability
Specific advantage: 5+ years of proven uptime (99.9% SLA) and direct ConsenSys backing. This matters for regulated institutions and large enterprises (e.g., MetaMask Institutional) where risk mitigation and a long operational history are non-negotiable. Deep integration with the ConsenSys stack (Truffle, MetaMask) provides a cohesive environment.
5+ years
Production History
99.9%
Uptime SLA
05
Choose Alchemy Supernode If...
Your primary need is data correctness and speed for complex queries. Ideal for:
- High-frequency DeFi analytics and arbitrage bots.
- Building data-intensive dApps that use enriched APIs.
- Teams that prioritize developer experience and advanced tooling.
06
Choose Infura Archive Node If...
Your primary need is enterprise-grade stability and multi-chain simplicity. Ideal for:
- Institutional applications where proven track record is critical.
- Projects using the ConsenSys stack (Truffle, MetaMask).
- Teams needing a simple, reliable RPC across many L2s without complex APIs.
CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY
Decision Framework: When to Choose Which
Alchemy Supernode for DeFi
Verdict: The superior choice for high-value, complex DeFi applications. Strengths:
- Unmatched Data Depth: Access to full historical state (archive data) is critical for on-chain price oracles (e.g., Chainlink), yield optimization strategies, and compliance reporting.
- Reliability at Scale: Proven 99.9%+ SLA during peak network congestion, essential for liquidation engines and arbitrage bots that cannot afford missed blocks.
- Enhanced Debugging: Transaction simulation and trace APIs allow teams to audit complex contract interactions (e.g., flash loans on Aave, swaps on Uniswap V3) before mainnet deployment.
Infura Archive Node for DeFi
Verdict: A capable, cost-effective baseline for standard DeFi operations. Strengths:
- Predictable Pricing: Simple, request-based model is easier to budget for protocols with steady, high-volume calls like frontend data fetching.
- Broad Ecosystem Support: Native integration with popular frameworks like Truffle and Hardhat simplifies development workflows.
- Core Reliability: Provides the essential archive data access needed for most lending/borrowing protocols (e.g., Compound) without advanced debugging features.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Final Verdict and Recommendation
Choosing between Alchemy's Supernode and Infura's Archive Node is a strategic decision based on your application's specific data and reliability requirements.
Alchemy's Supernode excels at providing a highly reliable, enhanced API layer with superior developer tooling and advanced features like WebSockets and mempool streaming. Its core strength is operational resilience, consistently demonstrating >99.9% uptime and robust performance during network congestion. For example, its proprietary debug_traceTransaction and alchemy_getTokenBalances endpoints are critical for complex DeFi applications and NFT platforms requiring deep, real-time state inspection.
Infura's Archive Node takes a different approach by providing direct, unmodified access to a full historical Ethereum archive, making it the gold standard for data completeness and auditability. This results in a trade-off: while it offers unparalleled historical data integrity, its API is more foundational and may require additional infrastructure for the advanced features and developer experience that Alchemy bakes in. It is the backbone for on-chain analytics and compliance tools.
The key trade-off: If your priority is developer velocity, advanced real-time features, and maximum reliability for production dApps, choose Alchemy's Supernode. If you prioritize unfiltered, complete historical data access for analytics, auditing, or building custom indexers, choose Infura's Archive Node. For many teams, the optimal strategy is to use Infura for deep historical queries and Alchemy for primary application logic and user-facing features.
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