As the Web3 ecosystem continues to evolve, blockchain node services have become essential infrastructure for developers building decentralized applications (DApps). With the conclusion of major industry events like the Hong Kong Web3 Conference, innovation in the space is accelerating. For enterprises and developers entering Web3, setting up and maintaining blockchain nodes can be technically complex and resource-intensive. This is where professional node service providers come in—offering reliable, scalable access to blockchain data without the need for self-hosted infrastructure.
In this comprehensive comparison, we examine four leading blockchain node providers: Tokenview, Infura, Alchemy, and QuickNode. We evaluate them based on API offerings, supported blockchains, documentation quality, pricing models, and unique value propositions—helping developers make informed decisions aligned with their project needs.
Overview of Leading Blockchain Node Providers
Tokenview
👉 Discover how a multi-chain node solution can streamline your DApp development.
Tokenview has been a consistent presence in the blockchain space since 2017, initially gaining recognition for launching over 120 blockchain explorers. Its deep understanding of底层 protocols enables robust node services across multiple chains. Currently, Tokenview supports Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and TRON (TRX)—three fundamentally different blockchain architectures—making it one of the few providers with cross-protocol expertise.
What sets Tokenview apart is its Archive Data API, which offers full historical state data across more than 120 blockchains. This rare capability allows developers to query past blockchain states at any block height—an invaluable feature for analytics, auditing, and compliance tools.
Infura
Founded in 2016 and later acquired by ConsenSys (the team behind MetaMask), Infura specializes in Ethereum-based infrastructure. It supports Ethereum mainnet, several legacy testnets (Rinkeby, Goerli, Kovan, Ropsten), and key Layer 2 networks such as Optimism and Arbitrum.
Infura also offers an IPFS API, enabling decentralized file storage and retrieval directly through its platform. While primarily focused on the Ethereum ecosystem, this integration makes Infura a strong choice for developers building dApps that require both on-chain and off-chain data handling.
Alchemy
Alchemy positions itself as a full-stack Web3 development platform. Beyond basic node access, it provides advanced tools for monitoring, debugging, and scaling dApps. Alchemy supports seven major EVM-compatible chains, including Ethereum, Polygon, and Binance Smart Chain, along with their respective testnets.
A unique aspect of Alchemy’s model is its Compute Unit (CU) system, which measures API usage based on request complexity. Simple queries consume fewer CUs, while resource-heavy operations like eth_call use more. This granular approach helps developers better understand and manage their resource consumption.
QuickNode
Since 2017, QuickNode has built a global cloud infrastructure tailored for Web3 developers. It supports 19 blockchains, including major EVM chains, Solana, and Bitcoin, with full testnet access. Its worldwide node distribution ensures low-latency responses and high availability.
QuickNode emphasizes developer experience with real-time JSON-RPC access to on-chain data. Trusted by numerous blockchain projects, it plays a critical role in powering scalable dApp ecosystems.
Comparative Analysis of API Services
Each provider offers core RPC node services but differentiates through value-added features:
- RPC Node Service: All four providers deliver standard JSON-RPC access to blockchain nodes, allowing developers to read and write data without running their own infrastructure.
- Archive Data API: Only Tokenview currently offers this advanced service across more than 120 chains. Archive nodes store complete historical state data—essential for applications requiring deep chain analysis.
- Webhook Transaction Notifications: Infura, Alchemy, and QuickNode support webhooks to push real-time alerts about transactions or wallet activities (e.g., whale movements). This enables proactive user engagement and monitoring.
- NFT APIs: Alchemy and QuickNode provide dedicated NFT data endpoints for querying token metadata, ownership history, collections, and events—ideal for NFT marketplaces or portfolio trackers.
- NFT Subscription Services: Tokenview offers granular subscription options for NFT-related events at the account, token, collection, or event level—allowing developers to stream live NFT activity efficiently.
👉 See how real-time blockchain data access can power next-gen NFT applications.
Supported Blockchains Comparison
The range of supported chains reflects each provider’s strategic focus:
- Tokenview: Supports BTC, ETH, TRX via RPC; Archive API covers 120+ chains, including EVM-compatible networks, BTC forks, and Layer 2 solutions.
- Infura: Focuses on Ethereum and related chains—mainnet, testnets, and select L2s.
- Alchemy: Covers 7 major EVM chains with full testnet support.
- QuickNode: Broadest EVM coverage with support for 19 chains including Solana and Bitcoin.
Developers working across multiple ecosystems will find Tokenview and QuickNode particularly advantageous due to their multi-chain flexibility.
Documentation Quality and Developer Experience
Clear documentation is crucial for reducing development time and minimizing errors.
- Tokenview stands out by offering bilingual documentation (English and Chinese)—a significant advantage for global teams and Asian markets.
- Infura, Alchemy, and QuickNode all provide comprehensive English-only documentation with tutorials, API references, and SDKs.
All providers maintain active developer portals:
- Tokenview: https://services.tokenview.io/docs
- Infura: https://docs.infura.io/infura/
- Alchemy: https://docs.alchemy.com/docs/tutorials-overview
- QuickNode: https://www.quicknode.com/docs
While all are well-documented, Tokenview’s multilingual support enhances accessibility for non-native English speakers.
Pricing Models and Free Tiers
All four providers offer free tiers for testing and small-scale projects:
- Tokenview and QuickNode allow pay-as-you-go plans with additional request purchases.
- Infura uses a tiered model based on monthly requests.
- Alchemy employs the CU (Compute Unit) system to reflect computational cost per request.
Custom enterprise plans are available upon request from all providers. Developers should consider not only cost but also uptime reliability, data accuracy, and long-term scalability when selecting a provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a blockchain node service?
A: A blockchain node service provides remote access to blockchain data via APIs, eliminating the need to run and maintain physical nodes. It enables faster development and deployment of decentralized applications.
Q: Why choose a node provider over self-hosting?
A: Self-hosting requires technical expertise, hardware investment, continuous maintenance, and high bandwidth. Node providers offer scalability, reliability, global coverage, and reduced operational overhead.
Q: Which provider supports the most blockchains?
A: Tokenview supports over 120 chains through its Archive API, while QuickNode supports 19 chains via RPC—making them top choices for multi-chain projects.
Q: Do these services support testnets?
A: Yes. Alchemy, QuickNode, and Infura offer full testnet access. Tokenview also supports major test environments.
Q: Is there a truly free plan available?
A: Yes. All four providers offer free tiers suitable for development and light production use. However, rate limits apply.
Q: Can I use multiple providers together?
A: Absolutely. Many developers use redundancy strategies—combining providers for failover protection and improved reliability.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right blockchain node provider depends on your project’s scope, target chains, budget, and technical requirements.
- For multi-chain support and historical data access, Tokenview leads with its extensive archive capabilities.
- For Ethereum-centric dApps, Infura and Alchemy offer polished ecosystems.
- For broad EVM coverage and performance, QuickNode delivers strong global infrastructure.
👉 Start building your next DApp with reliable blockchain node access today.
Regardless of your choice, leveraging professional node services accelerates development cycles, improves reliability, and allows teams to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.
Core Keywords: blockchain node service, RPC node API, Web3 development tools, NFT API, archive data node, multi-chain support, decentralized application (DApp), blockchain infrastructure