Blast API vs Moralis for Real-Time Blockchain Data

Blast API excels at delivering ultra-low-latency, high-throughput data directly from dedicated node infrastructure. This is because it provides a direct, unmediated connection to blockchain networks, bypassing aggregation layers. For example, its Solana RPC endpoints can achieve sub-100ms response times and support over 10,000 requests per second (RPS) for high-frequency trading applications, making it the choice for protocols like Jupiter and Drift that demand performance at scale.

Moralis takes a different approach by offering a fully managed, unified API that abstracts away node management and data indexing. This strategy results in a superior developer experience with features like cross-chain NFT APIs, real-time alerts via Streams API, and built-in wallet authentication. The trade-off is an additional processing layer that can introduce latency compared to a direct RPC, but it drastically reduces time-to-market for applications like multi-chain dashboards or NFT marketplaces.

The key trade-off: If your priority is maximizing performance, controlling costs at scale, and having direct infrastructure access, choose Blast API. If you prioritize rapid prototyping, reducing DevOps overhead, and accessing enriched, cross-chain data out-of-the-box, choose Moralis.

Blast API excels at delivering high-performance, low-latency data directly from its own globally distributed nodes. Because it operates its dedicated infrastructure for chains like Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana, it offers predictable performance and deep control. For example, its WebSocket connections boast sub-100ms latency and 99.9%+ uptime, which is critical for high-frequency trading bots or real-time NFT mint monitoring where every millisecond counts.

Moralis takes a different approach by providing a unified, abstraction-layer API that aggregates and normalizes data from multiple sources, including its own nodes and third-party indexers. This results in a powerful trade-off: superior developer velocity and cross-chain simplicity at the potential cost of ultimate latency control. Its Streams API and built-in wallet, token, and NFT endpoints allow a team to prototype a multi-chain dashboard in days, not weeks, by handling complex data plumbing internally.

The key architectural difference lies in control versus convenience. Blast gives you a direct pipe to raw chain data with tools like eth_getLogs and custom filters, ideal for building proprietary data engines. Moralis provides a curated, enriched data product with features like real-time transaction decoding and spam filtering, perfect for accelerating application development where raw speed is less critical than feature completeness.

Consider Blast API if your priority is ultra-low latency, maximum data sovereignty, and you have the engineering bandwidth to manage more raw data streams. It's the choice for quant-driven DeFi protocols, MEV-sensitive applications, or teams needing to build custom indexers on top of reliable node access.

Choose Moralis when your priority is rapid time-to-market, a rich set of pre-built APIs (NFTs, balances, token prices), and seamless support for a vast array of chains (70+) without managing individual RPC connections. It's ideal for consumer-facing dApps, multi-chain portfolios, and startups that need to validate an idea quickly without deep blockchain infrastructure investment.