SwiftNodes vs Alchemy vs Infura vs QuickNode

Choosing the right RPC provider matters. Here's how SwiftNodes compares to the biggest names in the space.

TL;DR

  • SwiftNodes — Flat-rate pricing, no per-request fees, no KYC, card or crypto payments, 75+ chains
  • Alchemy — Usage-based compute units, strong free tier, 30+ chains
  • Infura — Credit-based pricing, 40+ chains, owned by ConsenSys
  • QuickNode — Credit-based, 70+ chains, free trial only (not a permanent free tier)

Pricing Comparison

SwiftNodesAlchemyInfuraQuickNode
Free TierYes — permanentYes — 30M CU/moYes — 3M credits/day1-month trial only
Billing ModelFlat rate — unlimited requests within planPer compute unitPer creditPer credit + overage
Starter Plan$49/moPay-as-you-go ($0.45/M CU)$50/mo$49/mo
Surprise Bills?No — flat rateYes — overage chargesYes — overage chargesYes — $0.50-0.62/M overage
Crypto PaymentsETH, BNB, USDT, USDCNoNoNo
KYC RequiredNoEmail signupEmail signupEmail + credit card

Features Comparison

SwiftNodesAlchemyInfuraQuickNode
Chains Supported75+30+40+70+
Single API KeyAll chains, one keyPer-app keysPer-project keysPer-endpoint keys
HTTP RPCAll plansAll plansAll plansAll plans
WebSocketAll plansAll plansAll plansAll plans
Load BalancedYes — multi-nodeYesYesDedicated endpoints
EVM + Non-EVMBoth (Solana, Cosmos, etc.)BothMostly EVMBoth
Setup Time~30 seconds (wallet connect)~2 minutes (email signup)~2 minutes (email signup)~5 minutes (email + CC)

Free Tier Rate Limits

SwiftNodesAlchemyInfuraQuickNode
HTTP req/s5/s25/s500 credits/s15/s
Monthly LimitNo hard cap30M compute units~90M credits10M credits (trial)
Permanent Free?YesYesYesNo — 1 month trial

Why Choose SwiftNodes?

Predictable Pricing

No compute units, no credits, no overage fees. You know exactly what you'll pay each month. Other providers can surprise you with bills when traffic spikes.

Crypto Native

Pay with ETH, BNB, USDT, or USDC on multiple chains — or a credit card if you prefer. No KYC. Sign in with your wallet and you're ready in seconds.

One Key, All Chains

A single API key gives you access to every supported chain. No need to create separate apps, projects, or endpoints for each network.

Growing Fast

We're adding new chains every week. EVM, Cosmos, Solana, and more — all accessible through the same simple API.

Ready to switch?

Connect your wallet and get your API key in 30 seconds. No email, no credit card, no KYC.

Get Started Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SwiftNodes a good alternative to Alchemy?

Yes. SwiftNodes offers flat-rate pricing with no per-request fees, which means no surprise bills. If you're tired of tracking compute units and worrying about overage charges, SwiftNodes is a simpler, more predictable alternative.

Can I use SwiftNodes instead of Infura?

Absolutely. SwiftNodes supports 75+ chains (more than Infura), offers WebSocket on all plans, and doesn't require email signup or KYC. Just connect your wallet and start building.

How does SwiftNodes compare to QuickNode pricing?

QuickNode uses a credit-based system with overage charges ($0.50-0.62 per million extra credits). SwiftNodes uses flat-rate pricing — you pay a fixed monthly fee with no per-request costs. Both start at $49/month for paid plans, but SwiftNodes also offers a permanent free tier while QuickNode's free option is only a 1-month trial.

Does SwiftNodes support WebSocket connections?

Yes. WebSocket endpoints are available on all plans, including the free tier, for all supported EVM chains.

Can I pay for SwiftNodes with crypto?

Yes. SwiftNodes accepts ETH, BNB, USDT, and USDC on Ethereum, BSC, Base, and Arbitrum. You can also pay by credit or debit card if you prefer.