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Alchemy vs KuCoin

Alchemy logo

Alchemy

Software

The web3 development platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
KuCoin logo

KuCoin

Software

The people's exchange for crypto

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Alchemy the free tier is capped at 30M compute units a month and 25 requests per second; KuCoin unavailable for U.S. traders until at least 2027 following regulatory issues; U.S. users have only withdrawal access
  • They diverge on capability: Alchemy covers Node APIs, KuCoin covers Spot Trading.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alchemy and KuCoin actually diverge.

Attributes where Alchemy and KuCoin differ
AttributeAlchemyKuCoin
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsApi, WebWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2017).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Alchemy

  • Node APIs
  • Enhanced APIs
  • NFT API
  • Webhooks
  • Mempool
  • 35+ chains
  • SDKs
  • Api support

Only in KuCoin

  • Spot Trading
  • Futures Trading
  • Trading Bots
  • Lending
  • Staking
  • KCS Token
  • KuCoin Wallet
  • Ios support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Alchemy

  • Hosted blockchain node access across mainnets and testnetsnot KuCoin
  • Backing a production web3 application without running nodesnot KuCoin
  • Webhook-driven notifications for on-chain eventsnot KuCoin
  • Scaling read throughput beyond self-hosted node limitsnot KuCoin

KuCoin

  • Exchangesnot Alchemy
  • Tradingnot Alchemy
  • Altcoinsnot Alchemy

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Alchemy

  • The free tier is capped at 30M compute units a month and 25 requests per second
  • Free accounts are limited to 5 apps and 5 webhooks
  • Beyond the free allowance it is $0.45 per 1M compute units for the first 300M a month
  • Request cost varies by call complexity, from around 10 compute units to over 100, so spend is hard to predict from request counts alone
  • Signed SLAs and priority support require an Enterprise contract

KuCoin

  • Unavailable for U.S. traders until at least 2027 following regulatory issues; U.S. users have only withdrawal access
  • Customer support quality is variable with reported delays during high-volume trading periods
  • Thin liquidity on lesser-known and altcoin trading pairs
  • Limited educational materials and no insurance coverage for user assets

Pricing, plan by plan

Alchemy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 300M compute units
    • 5 apps
    • Core APIs
  • Growth$49/month
    • 400M compute units
    • 15 apps
    • Enhanced APIs
  • Scale$199/month
    • 1B compute units
    • Unlimited apps
    • Premium support

KuCoin

Free
  • Basic AccountFree
    • Spot trading at 0.10%/0.10% base fees
    • Futures trading
    • Staking and earning

Which should you pick?

Choose Alchemy if

  • You need node apis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api, Web.
  • You also want enhanced apis.
Alchemy review

Choose KuCoin if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want futures trading.
KuCoin review

Questions people ask

Is Alchemy or KuCoin better?
Neither clearly leads. Alchemy starts at Free and KuCoin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alchemy or KuCoin?
Alchemy starts at Free and KuCoin at Free.
Does Alchemy or KuCoin run on more platforms?
Alchemy runs on Api, Web. KuCoin runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Alchemy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Alchemy best used for?
Alchemy is most often used for hosted blockchain node access across mainnets and testnets, backing a production web3 application without running nodes, webhook-driven notifications for on-chain events, scaling read throughput beyond self-hosted node limits. Of those, hosted blockchain node access across mainnets and testnets and backing a production web3 application without running nodes are not what KuCoin is typically brought in for.
What can Alchemy do that KuCoin cannot?
Alchemy covers Node APIs, Enhanced APIs, NFT API, Webhooks. KuCoin covers Spot Trading, Futures Trading, Trading Bots, Lending. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

KuCoin: Is KuCoin available in the United States?

KuCoin is unavailable for trading in the U.S. until at least 2027 following a January 2025 guilty plea. U.S. users have withdrawal-only access.

Source
KuCoin: What is KuCoin's trading fee structure?

Spot trading fees are 0.10%/0.10% base (0.08%/0.08% with KCS discount). Futures fees are 0.02% maker/0.06% taker. Withdrawal fees are network-dependent and dynamic.

Source
KuCoin: How many cryptocurrencies and trading pairs does KuCoin support?

KuCoin supports 1,115+ cryptocurrencies and 1,312+ trading pairs.

Source
KuCoin: What trading features does KuCoin offer?

KuCoin offers spot trading, futures/derivatives, copy-trading with leaderboards, P2P marketplace, staking, token launchpad (Spotlight), NFT/Web3 wallet, and automated trading bots including DCA, grid, and martingale strategies.

Source
KuCoin: What platforms does KuCoin support?

KuCoin is available as a web-based interface and native iOS and Android mobile apps with TradingView chart integration.

Source
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