dRPC vs Ankr: Which RPC Provider Should You Use?
Both are crypto-friendly, no-KYC alternatives to the big incumbents — but they're built very differently. dRPC is a decentralized RPC marketplace; Ankr is a broad Web3 platform where RPC sits alongside staking and AppChains.
dRPC vs Ankr: side by side
| Feature | dRPC | Ankr |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Decentralized marketplace of independent operators | Ankr's own infrastructure + platform services |
| Pricing unit | Compute Units across the marketplace | Pay-as-you-go API credits; free public RPC |
| Product focus | Raw RPC + WebSocket only | Broad platform: RPC, staking, AppChains |
| Chain coverage | 100+ chains, EVM-heavy | 75+ chains |
| Payment | Card and crypto | Card and crypto (incl. ANKR) |
| KYC | None at standard tiers | None at standard tiers |
| WebSocket | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | Free public endpoints (shared) | Free public RPC (shared, rate-limited) |
Sourced from dRPC’s and Ankr’s public pricing pages. Last reviewed 2026-06. Pricing changes frequently — verify on the source sites before deciding.
Which should you pick?
Choose dRPC
Pick dRPC if you specifically want decentralized, marketplace-routed RPC for censorship-resistance, the broadest raw-RPC chain count, and pay-per-use compute units — and you only need raw RPC.
Choose Ankr
Pick Ankr if you want RPC bundled with the rest of its platform — liquid staking, AppChains, validator infrastructure — from a single vendor, or you prefer pay-as-you-go credits and free public endpoints.
A flat-rate third option: SwiftNodes
Both meter usage and are great no-KYC, crypto-friendly options — but both are still usage-metered, so your bill moves with traffic. If you'd rather a fixed monthly number, SwiftNodes runs its own load-balanced fleet at a flat rate by requests-per-second across 75+ EVM and non-EVM chains, with crypto payment and no KYC. It's raw RPC only — no marketplace routing, no platform suite. Try the free tier →
Frequently asked questions
What's the core difference between dRPC and Ankr?
dRPC is a decentralized marketplace that routes requests across independent node operators; Ankr is a broad platform running its own infrastructure plus staking and AppChain services. dRPC is raw-RPC-focused; Ankr bundles more products.
Which has more chains?
dRPC advertises a larger raw-RPC chain count (100+), while Ankr covers 75+ alongside its platform products. Check both lists against the specific chains you need — counts shift over time.
Are both no-KYC and crypto-payable?
Yes — both support crypto payment and don't require KYC at standard tiers, which is what makes them popular alternatives to card-billed incumbents. SwiftNodes shares that model but bills flat-rate instead of metered.
Which is cheaper?
Both are usage-metered, so the cheaper one depends on your request mix and whether the free public tiers cover you. For predictable cost at sustained volume, a flat-rate provider avoids per-request metering altogether.
Skip the metering — try flat-rate RPC
75+ chains, one predictable monthly price, pay with crypto, no KYC.
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