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RpcNode vs Alchemy (and QuickNode, Infura): when to pick which

If you need NFT APIs, debug traces, or multi-region archive, start with Alchemy or QuickNode. If you need a free full-node HTTPS URL and payment webhooks without pretending those are the same product, start with RpcNode.

The actual differences

RpcNode sells full-node JSON-RPC (unique URL, credits + RPS) and a payments/Address Watch plane. It does not sell archive, trace, or token-metadata APIs. Competitors do, and they charge for that surface.

  • Free tier: RpcNode $0 / 15M credits / 15 RPS, no card. Alchemy free CU allotment exists but the product mix is different.
  • Node type: RpcNode is explicit full-node. Others sell full + archive SKUs.
  • Payments: RpcNode webhooks seen→paid. Alchemy Address Activity / QuickNode Streams are broader data products, not the same checkout flow.
  • Regions: RpcNode latency probes start in the EU and expand. The others already have global PoPs.

Pick RpcNode when

You are wiring ethers/viem to a URL and you do not want a card on day one. You are building deposits/payouts and want signed webhooks instead of a homegrown indexer. You may self-host later with Toolkit on the same brand.

Side-by-side table (positioning, not a legal claim): rpcnode.dev/compare. Verify current competitor pricing on their sites.

FAQ

Is RpcNode cheaper than Alchemy?

On a no-card Free full-node URL, yes. On archive + traces + enhanced APIs, Alchemy/QuickNode are the products that exist — RpcNode does not compete there.

Can I use RpcNode as an Alchemy drop-in?

For standard JSON-RPC against a full node, usually. For alchemy_getAssetTransfers, NFT APIs, and archive traces, no.