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Software · head to head

Compound vs The Graph

Compound logo

Compound

Software

Autonomous interest rate protocol

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Graph logo

The Graph

Software

The indexing protocol for Web3

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Compound compound is a decentralized, non-custodial protocol governed by COMP token holders rather than a company; interest rates on supplied and borrowed assets are set algorithmically by pool utilization rather than published as a price list, so there is no vendor pricing page to compare against; The Graph subgraph Studio's free tier caps at 100,000 queries per month; usage beyond that is billed at $2 per 100,000 queries
  • They diverge on capability: Compound covers Lending, The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Compound and The Graph actually diverge.

Attributes where Compound and The Graph differ
AttributeCompoundThe Graph
Pricing modelUnknownusage-based
PlatformsEthereumWeb, Api
Founded20172018

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

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 Compound

  • Lending
  • Borrowing
  • cTokens
  • Governance
  • COMP Token
  • Ethereum

Only in The Graph

  • Subgraph Indexing
  • GraphQL API
  • Decentralized Network
  • Multi-chain Support
  • GRT Token
  • 30+ chains
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Compound

  • Decentralised finance (DeFi) lending and borrowing protocol on Ethereumnot The Graph
  • Cryptocurrency collateral management for USDC borrowingnot The Graph
  • Interest earning through crypto asset supplynot The Graph
  • Algorithmic interest rate determination based on supply and demandnot The Graph

The Graph

  • Indexing and querying blockchain data through subgraphs across 60+ networksnot Compound

Where each one falls short

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

Compound

  • Compound is a decentralized, non-custodial protocol governed by COMP token holders rather than a company; interest rates on supplied and borrowed assets are set algorithmically by pool utilization rather than published as a price list, so there is no vendor pricing page to compare against

The Graph

  • Subgraph Studio's free tier caps at 100,000 queries per month; usage beyond that is billed at $2 per 100,000 queries

Pricing, plan by plan

Compound

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Compound review.

The Graph

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 100K queries
    • Subgraph Studio
    • Testnet
  • Pay as you go$0.00004/query
    • Unlimited queries
    • Mainnet
    • Multi-chain

Which should you pick?

Choose Compound if

  • You need lending.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ethereum.
  • You also want borrowing.
Compound review

Choose The Graph if

  • You need subgraph indexing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want graphql api.
The Graph review

Questions people ask

Is Compound or The Graph better?
Neither clearly leads. Compound starts at Free and The Graph at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Compound or The Graph?
Compound starts at Free and The Graph at Free.
Does Compound or The Graph run on more platforms?
Compound runs on Ethereum. The Graph runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Compound for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Compound best used for?
Compound is most often used for decentralised finance (defi) lending and borrowing protocol on ethereum, cryptocurrency collateral management for usdc borrowing, interest earning through crypto asset supply, algorithmic interest rate determination based on supply and demand. Of those, decentralised finance (defi) lending and borrowing protocol on ethereum and cryptocurrency collateral management for usdc borrowing are not what The Graph is typically brought in for.
What can Compound do that The Graph cannot?
Compound covers Lending, Borrowing, cTokens, Governance. The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing, GraphQL API, Decentralized Network, Multi-chain Support. Both handle Web support.
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