Alchemy vs Infura
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Alchemy is a web3 infrastructure platform that gives developers reliable node RPC access, data APIs, and smart wallet tooling for building blockchain applications. It supports Ethereum and 50+ other networks including Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Solana, and is used by companies like Visa, Circle, Stripe, and OpenSea.
Infura is a Web3 development platform, now part of MetaMask Developer, that gives developers reliable API access to major blockchain networks without running their own nodes. It provides high-availability RPC endpoints used to build and scale decentralized applications.
- Generous free tier (30M compute units/month) usable for real testing and small apps
- Broad multi-chain coverage across 50+ networks from one API
- Used in production by major fintechs like Visa, Circle, and Stripe
- Usage-based pricing scales cost with actual API consumption
- Generous free tier for early-stage projects and testing
- Backed by MetaMask, giving strong ecosystem integration
- Reliable infrastructure used by major DeFi and Web3 projects
- Removes need to run and maintain your own blockchain nodes
- Compute-unit-based billing can be confusing to estimate costs upfront
- Advanced features like custom rollup infrastructure are aimed at larger teams, not hobbyists
- Enterprise-grade throughput and SLAs require custom/contact-sales pricing
- Credit-based pricing can be confusing to estimate costs upfront
- Paid tiers get expensive at production scale
- Centralized service, which some Web3 purists see as a trade-off for a decentralized ecosystem
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View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataAlchemy offers a generous free tier and broader multi‑chain coverage, while Infura provides strong MetaMask integration and similar reliability; choose based on needed chain breadth versus ecosystem tie‑ins.
Key differences
- •Alchemy supports 50+ chains; Infura focuses on major networks only.
- •Alchemy includes gasless transaction sponsorship and rollup infrastructure; Infura does not mention these.
- •Infura is backed by MetaMask with direct SDK integration; Alchemy lacks that specific partnership.
- •Both have free tiers, but Alchemy bills by compute units, Infura by request credits.
- •Enterprise‑grade SLAs for Alchemy require custom pricing; Infura’s paid tiers are subscription‑based.
Pricing & value
Alchemy’s freemium offers 30M compute units/month; Infura’s free tier gives only several million daily request credits.
Ease of use / learning curve
Infura’s direct MetaMask SDK integration simplifies onboarding for MetaMask‑centric developers.
Features & depth
Alchemy adds gasless sponsorship, portfolio APIs, webhooks, and rollup infrastructure not listed for Infura.
Integrations & ecosystem
Infura is backed by MetaMask and integrates with its SDK and Snaps, a unique ecosystem advantage.
Scalability
Both claim high availability, 99.99% uptime (Alchemy) and production‑grade throughput (Infura).
Support
Alchemy offers tiered support including premium and dedicated options; Infura’s support details are not specified.
Security & privacy
Both are closed‑source SaaS offerings; no specific security differences are provided.
Choose Alchemy if…
Teams needing extensive multi‑chain data, gasless transactions, or custom rollup capabilities.
Choose Infura if…
Developers building MetaMask‑centric dApps who prioritize quick SDK integration.
Common questions
Which platform covers more blockchain networks?
Alchemy supports 50+ networks; Infura focuses on major networks only.
How are the free tiers different?
Alchemy provides 30M compute units/month; Infura offers several million daily request credits.
Is there a benefit to MetaMask integration?
Infura integrates directly with MetaMask SDK and Snaps, easing development for MetaMask‑based applications.