Alchemy excels at deep historical data reliability and developer experience, underpinned by its proprietary Supernode architecture. This results in consistent sub-200ms response times for complex queries on chains like Ethereum and Polygon, even during high-traffic events. Their platform integrates seamlessly with tools like Hardhat and Foundry, reducing integration friction for teams building complex DeFi protocols such as Aave or Uniswap V3 that require granular historical state analysis.
LABS
Comparisons
Archive Node Providers: Alchemy vs QuickNode
A technical evaluation of Alchemy and QuickNode for deep historical data access. We compare performance metrics, pricing models, reliability, and developer tooling to determine the optimal provider for DeFi, analytics, and compliance workloads.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction: The Critical Infrastructure of Historical Data
Choosing between Alchemy and QuickNode for archive node access is a foundational decision impacting data reliability, query performance, and cost.
QuickNode takes a different approach by prioritizing global low-latency access and multi-chain breadth. With nodes deployed in over 16 regions worldwide and support for 30+ chains including Solana, Avalanche, and Arbitrum, they optimize for geographic performance. This results in a trade-off: while their core API is robust, their specialized add-ons (like the Debug & Trace API) are often essential for the deepest forensic analysis, representing a potential cost variable compared to Alchemy's more bundled offering.
The key trade-off: If your priority is maximizing developer velocity and deep, consistent Ethereum/Polygon data with predictable pricing, choose Alchemy. If you prioritize global latency for a diverse multi-chain portfolio and require flexibility with à la carte advanced features, choose QuickNode.
tldr-summary
Alchemy vs QuickNode
TL;DR: Key Differentiators at a Glance
A high-level comparison of core strengths and trade-offs for two leading archive node providers.
01
Alchemy: Superior Developer Experience
Full-stack platform: Beyond nodes, offers enhanced APIs (Transfers, Notify), debugging tools (Composer, Mempool), and SDKs. This matters for teams building complex dApps (e.g., DeFi protocols like Aave) who want an all-in-one toolkit and faster iteration.
02
Alchemy: Enterprise-Grade Reliability
Industry-leading SLAs: Guarantees 99.9%+ uptime with multi-cloud redundancy. This matters for production applications with high-value transactions where downtime directly impacts revenue and user trust.
03
QuickNode: Unmatched Chain Coverage
Broadest network support: 30+ blockchains and 50+ networks, including emerging L2s and app-chains (e.g., Base, Scroll, Solana). This matters for protocols operating cross-chain or developers experimenting on newer ecosystems.
04
QuickNode: Granular Control & Performance
Flexible infrastructure: Offers dedicated nodes, customizable add-ons (e.g., Turbo Geth for Ethereum), and advanced metrics. This matters for high-frequency trading bots or NFT marketplaces needing low-latency, predictable performance.
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Alchemy vs QuickNode: Archive Node Feature Matrix
Direct comparison of core technical metrics, pricing, and support for blockchain developers.
| Metric / Feature | Alchemy | QuickNode |
|---|---|---|
Archive Node Pricing (Ethereum) | $0.0015 per compute unit | $0.0019 per compute unit |
Historical Data Speed (Block 0) | < 2 seconds | < 5 seconds |
Supported Chains | 20+ (Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, etc.) | 30+ (Ethereum, Solana, Cosmos, etc.) |
Free Tier | 300M compute units/month | 25M credits/month |
Enhanced APIs (NFTs, DeFi) | ||
WebSocket Connections | Unlimited | Limited on core plan |
Data Retention Policy | Full history | Full history |
ARCHIVE NODE PROVIDER COMPARISON
Alchemy vs QuickNode: Performance & Reliability Benchmarks
Direct comparison of key metrics for infrastructure decisions.
| Metric | Alchemy | QuickNode |
|---|---|---|
Guaranteed Uptime SLA | 99.9% | 99.9% |
Avg. Global Latency | < 50 ms | < 100 ms |
Historical Data Access (Archive) | ||
Trace & Debug API Support | ||
Max Requests per Second (Tier 1) | 330 RPS | 200 RPS |
Supported Chains | 20+ | 30+ |
Free Tier Requests/Day | 300M compute units | 50M compute units |
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Alchemy vs QuickNode: Archive Node Pricing & Cost Analysis
Direct comparison of pricing models, performance, and features for enterprise-grade archive node access.
| Metric | Alchemy | QuickNode |
|---|---|---|
Archive Node Price (Monthly) | $4,900+ | $299+ (Core Add-on) |
Free Tier Requests/Day | 300M CU | ~25M (varies by plan) |
Pay-as-you-go Rate | $0.000001 per CU | $0.000001 per request |
Multi-Chain Support | ||
Enhanced APIs (e.g., Transact, Debug) | ||
SLA Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
Historical Data Latency | < 1 sec | < 1 sec |
pros-cons-a
ARCHIVE NODE PROVIDERS
Alchemy Supernode: Pros and Cons
A data-driven comparison of market leaders for CTOs evaluating mission-critical infrastructure. Metrics based on public data as of Q1 2024.
01
Alchemy: Developer Ecosystem
Dominant market share: Powers over 70% of top Ethereum dApps, including OpenSea and Aave. This matters for teams needing battle-tested, production-grade reliability and deep integrations with tools like Hardhat and Foundry.
70%+
Top dApp Share
02
Alchemy: Enhanced APIs
Proprietary data layers: Offers unique APIs like alchemy_getAssetTransfers and NFT APIs that abstract complex blockchain data. This matters for teams building consumer-facing apps (NFT marketplaces, portfolio trackers) who need to reduce development time and complexity.
03
QuickNode: Chain Coverage
Broadest network support: Supports over 30 chains natively (vs. Alchemy's ~15), including Solana, Aptos, and Sui. This matters for protocols operating in a multi-chain environment or planning rapid expansion to new ecosystems without managing multiple vendor contracts.
30+
Blockchains
04
QuickNode: Performance & Latency
Global low-latency network: 19+ global endpoints with proprietary geo-routing, often citing lower p95 latency in benchmarks. This matters for high-frequency trading protocols, real-time gaming, or any application where sub-100ms response time is critical.
< 100ms
Target p95 Latency
05
Alchemy: Cost at Scale
Higher premium pricing: Enterprise plans can become costly at high request volumes (millions/day). This matters for bootstrapped projects or protocols with predictable, high-throughput needs where cost predictability is a primary constraint.
06
QuickNode: Developer Experience
Less ecosystem integration: While robust, its tooling (e.g., for debugging) is not as deeply woven into the dominant Ethereum developer stack as Alchemy's. This matters for teams heavily reliant on specific Alchemy-enhanced workflows in Hardhat or The Graph.
pros-cons-b
Alchemy vs QuickNode
QuickNode Archive Plans: Pros and Cons
Key strengths and trade-offs for two leading archive node providers, based on infrastructure, developer experience, and cost.
01
Alchemy's Supernode Architecture
Core advantage: Proprietary distributed node system, not a single Geth instance. This provides higher reliability (99.9%+ SLA) and faster historical data queries via optimized indexing. This matters for high-traffic dApps like OpenSea or protocols requiring consistent sub-second response times for complex historical logs.
02
QuickNode's Global Footprint & Multi-Chain
Core advantage: 17+ global locations and support for 25+ chains natively (Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Arbitrum, etc.). This offers lower latency for global users and simplifies multi-chain development with a single provider. This matters for enterprises deploying globally or protocols building on multiple L2s/sidechains who want unified infrastructure.
03
Alchemy's Developer Tooling Suite
Core advantage: Deep integration with enhanced APIs (Enhanced APIs, Webhooks) and SDKs. Provides tools like NFT API, Transfers API, and Mempool Watcher that reduce custom dev work. This matters for teams prioritizing speed to market and wanting to build features without managing raw node data.
04
QuickNode's Transparent Pricing & Custom Plans
Core advantage: Clear, request-based pricing with published overage rates and willingness to negotiate custom enterprise plans. Offers more granular control over costs compared to tiered plans. This matters for projects with predictable, high-volume usage or CTOs needing precise budget forecasting without surprise costs.
05
Alchemy's Ecosystem & Support Depth
Core advantage: Market leader with massive ecosystem integration. Direct technical support relationships with top protocols (Aave, Uniswap, Chainlink) and venture backing. This matters for protocols where strategic partnership and top-tier, dedicated support are critical for mainnet launch and scaling.
06
QuickNode's Configuration Flexibility
Core advantage: Offers more node configuration options (client diversity like Erigon, Nethermind) and easier access to trace methods (trace_filter). Provides dedicated nodes faster. This matters for advanced developers needing specific client features, auditors running deep chain analysis, or projects requiring dedicated hardware isolation.
CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY
Decision Framework: Choose Based on Your Use Case
Alchemy for DeFi & Analytics
Verdict: The superior choice for data-intensive applications. Strengths: Unmatched historical data depth and reliability. The Supernode architecture provides a unified API for both current and historical state, critical for calculating time-weighted average prices (TWAPs), backtesting strategies, or auditing complex transaction histories. Superior tooling like Alchemy's Notify for real-time event tracking and Enhanced APIs for decoded logs streamline development. Proven by major protocols like Aave, 0x, and OpenSea. Considerations: Premium data features come at a higher cost. For simple balance checks, it may be overkill.
QuickNode for DeFi & Analytics
Verdict: Highly capable, with a strong focus on speed and multi-chain support. Strengths: Excellent global low-latency network (30+ chains) is ideal for arbitrage bots and high-frequency data feeds. Offers GraphQL support and WebSockets for efficient data querying. The QuickAlerts system provides real-time notifications. A solid, performant choice for building cross-chain dashboards or monitoring tools. Weaknesses: Historical data APIs are not as deeply integrated or battle-tested as Alchemy's for complex analytical queries.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Final Verdict and Recommendation
A data-driven breakdown to guide your infrastructure decision between Alchemy and QuickNode for archive node services.
Alchemy excels at providing a deeply integrated, developer-first platform for high-throughput applications. Its strength lies in its unified APIs (Enhanced APIs, Webhooks) and superior tooling for complex queries and real-time data, which reduces development overhead. For example, its alchemy_getAssetTransfers API simplifies tracing ERC-20, ERC-721, and ERC-1155 transfers in a single call, a common pain point for DeFi and NFT platforms. This ecosystem focus, combined with robust global infrastructure, makes it the default choice for protocols like OpenSea, Aave, and 0x.
QuickNode takes a different approach by prioritizing raw node performance, multi-chain breadth, and granular control. This results in a trade-off of a less opinionated, more infrastructure-centric service. QuickNode's core advantage is its extensive support for over 30 blockchains (including Solana, Polygon, Arbitrum) and its customizable add-ons like Turbo Geth for Ethereum, which can offer faster sync times for specific use cases. Its platform is built for teams that need to manage nodes across many chains or require fine-tuned configurations not abstracted away by higher-level APIs.
The key trade-off: If your priority is developer velocity and building complex dApps on Ethereum or a few core EVM chains, choose Alchemy. Its curated APIs and ecosystem integrations will accelerate your go-to-market. If you prioritize multi-chain deployment, need access to niche chains, or require granular control over node configuration, choose QuickNode. Its broader chain support and infrastructure flexibility cater to projects with diverse blockchain requirements or specific performance tuning needs.
ENQUIRY
Get In Touch
today.
Our experts will offer a free quote and a 30min call to discuss your project.
NDA Protected
Confidentiality24h Response
Time to ValueDirectly to Engineering Team
No Sales Fluff10+
Protocols Shipped
$20M+
TVL Overall