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Comparisons

zkSync Era RPC Providers: QuickNode vs GetBlock

A technical analysis comparing QuickNode and GetBlock as RPC providers for zkSync Era, focusing on L2-specific API coverage, proof generation reliability, latency benchmarks, and cost structures for scaling dApps.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS

Introduction: The zkSync Era Infrastructure Decision

Choosing the right RPC provider for zkSync Era is a critical infrastructure decision that balances performance, cost, and developer experience.

QuickNode excels at providing a high-performance, globally distributed network with enterprise-grade reliability. Its infrastructure is built on a multi-cloud backbone, offering consistent sub-100ms latency and 99.9%+ SLA uptime. For example, its dedicated zkSync Era nodes support high-throughput applications like perpetual DEXs (e.g., SyncSwap) and NFT marketplaces, handling the chain's peak of 30+ TPS without degradation. The platform integrates seamlessly with tools like Hardhat and Foundry, and offers advanced features such as real-time WebSocket streams and enhanced APIs for zks_ namespace calls.

GetBlock takes a different approach by prioritizing cost-effectiveness and accessibility for scaling projects. Its shared node plans offer a compelling entry point, with pay-as-you-go pricing that can be 20-40% lower for moderate usage. This results in a trade-off where shared node performance may experience variable latency during network congestion compared to dedicated endpoints. However, GetBlock provides robust core JSON-RPC support for zkSync Era, enabling key operations for wallets and basic dApps, and allows teams to start building immediately without significant upfront commitment.

The key trade-off: If your priority is maximum performance, reliability for high-value transactions, and advanced tooling, choose QuickNode. Its dedicated infrastructure is built for protocols like Aave and Uniswap that demand consistency. If you prioritize cost optimization for development, prototyping, or applications with variable load, choose GetBlock. Its flexible pricing model suits growing projects like novel DeFi primitives or gaming apps where budget control is paramount.

tldr-summary
zkSync Era RPC Providers

TL;DR: Key Differentiators at a Glance

QuickNode and GetBlock are leading RPC providers, but their architectures and value propositions differ significantly. This comparison highlights their core strengths for different engineering priorities.

01

Choose QuickNode for Enterprise Reliability

Superior global infrastructure: 30+ dedicated node locations with multi-cloud redundancy (AWS, Google Cloud). This matters for high-frequency trading bots and mission-critical dApps requiring 99.9%+ SLA and sub-100ms global latency.

99.9%
Uptime SLA
30+
Locations
02

Choose GetBlock for Cost-Effective Scaling

Aggressive pricing model: Offers a generous free tier (40K daily requests) and competitive pay-as-you-go rates. This matters for bootstrapped projects, prototyping, and applications with spiky, unpredictable traffic where cost predictability is key.

40K
Free Daily Reqs
03

Choose QuickNode for Advanced Developer Tooling

Integrated ecosystem: Native support for WebSockets, GraphQL, and enhanced APIs (debug, trace) without add-ons. Seamless integration with tools like Hardhat, Foundry, and The Graph. This matters for teams building complex DeFi protocols (e.g., lending, DEX aggregation) needing deep chain interaction.

04

Choose GetBlock for Rapid Multi-Chain Deployment

Unified access point: Single API key and dashboard for 50+ blockchains beyond zkSync Era (Ethereum, Polygon, Solana). This matters for cross-chain bridges, portfolio trackers, and teams managing services across multiple L1/L2 ecosystems without managing separate provider contracts.

ZK SYNC ERA RPC PROVIDERS

Head-to-Head Feature Comparison

Direct comparison of key metrics and features for zkSync Era infrastructure.

MetricQuickNodeGetBlock

99.9% Uptime SLA

Max Requests per Second (Tier 1)

3,000

1,500

Archive Node Support

WebSocket Support

Avg. Global Latency

< 50 ms

< 100 ms

Free Tier Requests/Day

25,000

40,000

Dedicated Endpoints

Multi-Chain Support

30+ chains

50+ chains

PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY BENCHMARKS

zkSync Era RPC Providers: QuickNode vs GetBlock

Direct comparison of key metrics and features for zkSync Era infrastructure.

MetricQuickNodeGetBlock

Guaranteed Uptime SLA

99.9%

99.5%

Avg. Global Response Time

< 50 ms

< 100 ms

Free Tier Daily Requests

3,000

10,000

WebSocket Support

Historical Data Archive

Dedicated Endpoints

Max Requests per Second (Paid)

2,000+

1,000

PRICING & COST STRUCTURE ANALYSIS

zkSync Era RPC Providers: QuickNode vs GetBlock

Direct comparison of key metrics and features for enterprise-grade zkSync Era RPC access.

MetricQuickNodeGetBlock

Pay-As-You-Go Cost (per 1M reqs)

$199

$149

Free Tier Requests (daily)

~33,000

~100,000

Dedicated Node Pricing (monthly)

$299+

$199+

Enterprise SLA Guarantee

Multi-Chain Bundle Discounts

Archive Data Access

$499+ add-on

Included in plans

Custom Rate Limits

pros-cons-a
zkSync Era RPC Providers

QuickNode: Strengths and Weaknesses

A data-driven comparison of QuickNode and GetBlock for zkSync Era infrastructure, highlighting key differentiators for high-stakes deployments.

01

QuickNode: Global Performance & Reliability

Specific advantage: 30+ global endpoints with < 50ms latency and 99.9% SLA. This matters for high-frequency dApps like DEX arbitrage bots and real-time NFT marketplaces where uptime and speed directly impact revenue.

30+
Global Nodes
99.9%
Uptime SLA
03

GetBlock: Cost-Effective Scaling

Specific advantage: Transparent, volume-based pricing with a generous free tier (40K daily requests). This matters for bootstrapped projects and MVPs needing to manage burn rate while validating product-market fit on zkSync Era.

40K
Free Daily Reqs
05

QuickNode: Advanced Analytics & Support

Specific advantage: Dedicated technical account managers and custom analytics dashboards (e.g., gas usage, error rates). This matters for enterprises with $500K+ budgets requiring white-glove support, custom rate limits, and deep insights into API performance.

06

GetBlock: Developer-First Flexibility

Specific advantage: Support for JSON-RPC, WebSockets, and multiple client libraries with minimal configuration. This matters for smaller dev teams who prioritize fast integration and flexibility over managed services, allowing them to plug directly into their existing stack.

pros-cons-b
zkSync Era RPC Providers

GetBlock: Strengths and Weaknesses

A data-driven breakdown of GetBlock's key differentiators against QuickNode for zkSync Era infrastructure.

01

GetBlock: Cost-Effective Scaling

Pay-as-you-go pricing: No monthly commitments, ideal for unpredictable traffic or early-stage projects. Competitive rates: Often lower per-request cost than fixed-tier competitors. This matters for bootstrapped startups and applications with spiky usage patterns where cost predictability is critical.

02

GetBlock: Broad Chain Support

Single API for 50+ networks: Access zkSync Era, Ethereum, Polygon, and niche L1/L2s from one dashboard. Unified documentation: Reduces integration complexity for multi-chain applications. This matters for cross-chain protocols and developers managing infrastructure across multiple ecosystems.

03

GetBlock: Weakness - Advanced Tooling Gap

Limited proprietary tooling: Lacks advanced features like QuickNode's Add-Ons (Mempool Streaming, Enhanced APIs). Basic analytics: Dashboards are less detailed for performance debugging. This is a trade-off for teams that require deep transaction tracing or real-time mempool data for MEV or trading applications.

04

GetBlock: Weakness - Enterprise SLAs

Less granular SLAs: Uptime guarantees may be broader than specialized providers. Support tiers: Priority support often tied to higher spending tiers. This matters for financial applications and enterprise clients where 99.99% uptime and dedicated technical account management are non-negotiable.

05

QuickNode: Performance & Reliability

Optimized global infrastructure: 16+ core locations with <50ms latency guarantees. Proven 99.9%+ SLA: Critical for high-frequency dApps and exchanges. This matters for production-grade DeFi protocols (like Uniswap, Aave) and NFT marketplaces requiring maximum uptime.

06

QuickNode: Developer Ecosystem

Rich Add-On ecosystem: One-click enablement for Debug & Trace APIs, Webhook Notifications, and Archive Data. Deep partner integrations: Seamless with tools like Alchemy, The Graph, and Tenderly. This matters for teams building complex smart contracts that need advanced debugging and real-time alerts.

CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY

Decision Framework: When to Choose Which Provider

QuickNode for DeFi

Verdict: The premium choice for high-value, high-frequency applications. Strengths: Unmatched reliability (99.9%+ SLA) and sub-50ms global latency are critical for arbitrage bots and DEX aggregators like 1inch or SyncSwap. Advanced features like real-time mempool streaming and WebSocket support for price oracles (Chainlink, Pyth) provide a competitive edge. Their dedicated zkSync Era nodes minimize the risk of missed opportunities during volatile market events. Considerations: Higher cost structure; best justified for protocols with significant TVL or transaction volume where infrastructure cost is a minor factor relative to opportunity cost.

GetBlock for DeFi

Verdict: A cost-effective, capable solution for established DeFi protocols. Strengths: Offers a robust free tier and predictable, lower-cost plans, ideal for protocols like zkSwap or EZKalibur managing steady user volume. Supports essential JSON-RPC methods and WebSockets for basic real-time data needs. Sufficient for most lending/borrowing platforms (e.g., Nexon) that don't require nanosecond-level latency. Considerations: May experience higher latency variability during network congestion. Lacks the ultra-premium support and advanced data tools of QuickNode, which could be a bottleneck for the most latency-sensitive strategies.

verdict
THE ANALYSIS

Final Verdict and Strategic Recommendation

Choosing between QuickNode and GetBlock for zkSync Era RPC access is a strategic decision based on your project's operational priorities and scale.

QuickNode excels at providing a premium, high-performance developer experience because of its deep integration with the zkSync stack and enterprise-grade infrastructure. For example, its dedicated RPC endpoints offer sub-100ms latency and 99.9% SLA-backed uptime, which is critical for high-frequency DeFi applications like SyncSwap or EZFinance that require real-time state updates and transaction execution.

GetBlock takes a different approach by offering a highly scalable, cost-effective model with a massive shared node pool. This results in a significant trade-off: while you gain flexibility and lower entry costs with a pay-as-you-go model, you may encounter variable latency during peak network congestion compared to a dedicated endpoint, making it better suited for batch processing or applications with less stringent real-time demands.

The key trade-off: If your priority is performance, reliability, and deep chain support for a mission-critical dApp, choose QuickNode. Its superior tooling, including the GraphQL API and WebSocket streams, justifies the premium for enterprises. If you prioritize cost efficiency, rapid prototyping, and horizontal scalability across multiple chains (Ethereum, Polygon, BSC), choose GetBlock. Its extensive node network and flexible plans are ideal for projects managing variable workloads or operating on a tight budget.

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zkSync Era RPC: QuickNode vs GetBlock | Performance & Cost Analysis | ChainScore Comparisons