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Cryptocurrency & Blockchain · head to head

Infura vs Bitfinex

Infura logo

Infura

Cryptocurrency & Blockchain

Ethereum and IPFS APIs for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Bitfinex logo

Bitfinex

Cryptocurrency & Blockchain

Professional cryptocurrency trading platform

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Infura the free plan is capped at 3 million credits a day, 500 credits per second and a single API key; Bitfinex margin trading requires Intermediate account verification (2-3 working days)
  • They diverge on capability: Infura covers Ethereum APIs, Bitfinex covers Spot Trading.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Infura and Bitfinex actually diverge.

Attributes where Infura and Bitfinex differ
AttributeInfuraBitfinex
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsApiWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20162012

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

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 Infura

  • Ethereum APIs
  • IPFS Gateway
  • Archive Data
  • WebSocket Support
  • Transaction Pool
  • Ethereum
  • IPFS
  • Polygon

Only in Bitfinex

  • Spot Trading
  • Margin Trading
  • Derivatives
  • Lending Marketplace
  • OTC Desk
  • UNUS SED LEO
  • Tether
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Infura

  • Hosted Ethereum and multi-chain node access across 40+ networksnot Bitfinex
  • Archive data queries without running an archive nodenot Bitfinex
  • Backing a production dapp with managed RPC endpointsnot Bitfinex
  • Debug and trace calls for contract development on paid tiersnot Bitfinex

Bitfinex

  • Exchangesnot Infura
  • Tradingnot Infura
  • Professionalnot Infura

Where each one falls short

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

Infura

  • The free plan is capped at 3 million credits a day, 500 credits per second and a single API key
  • The Debug and Trace APIs are withheld from the free plan and need Developer at $50 a month
  • Support on the free tier is community forums only
  • Unlimited API keys require the Team plan at $225 a month
  • Auto-scaling and an enhanced SLA are Enterprise only

Bitfinex

  • Margin trading requires Intermediate account verification (2-3 working days)
  • Automatic liquidation of positions if equity falls below maintenance margin
  • Leverage varies significantly by trading pair with no publicly uniform limit
  • Fiat deposit/withdrawal fees and minimums apply; crypto transfers free but network fees may apply

Pricing, plan by plan

Infura

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100K requests/day
    • Core APIs
    • 3 projects
  • Developer$50/month
    • 200K requests/day
    • Archive data
    • 10 projects
  • Team$225/month
    • 1M requests/day
    • SLA
    • Priority support

Bitfinex

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bitfinex review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Infura if

  • You need ethereum apis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api.
  • You also want ipfs gateway.

Choose Bitfinex if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want margin trading.

Questions people ask

Is Infura or Bitfinex better?
Neither clearly leads. Infura starts at Free and Bitfinex at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Infura or Bitfinex?
Infura starts at Free and Bitfinex at Free.
Does Infura or Bitfinex run on more platforms?
Infura runs on Api. Bitfinex runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Infura for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Infura best used for?
Infura is most often used for hosted ethereum and multi-chain node access across 40+ networks, archive data queries without running an archive node, backing a production dapp with managed rpc endpoints, debug and trace calls for contract development on paid tiers. Of those, hosted ethereum and multi-chain node access across 40+ networks and archive data queries without running an archive node are not what Bitfinex is typically brought in for.
What can Infura do that Bitfinex cannot?
Infura covers Ethereum APIs, IPFS Gateway, Archive Data, WebSocket Support. Bitfinex covers Spot Trading, Margin Trading, Derivatives, Lending Marketplace.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bitfinex: What are Bitfinex's current trading fees?

As of December 17, 2025, Bitfinex charges zero maker and taker fees for spot, margin, derivatives, securities, and OTC trading across all customers.

Source
Bitfinex: What deposit and withdrawal fees does Bitfinex charge?

Crypto and securities deposits are free. Fiat deposits via bank wire cost 0.100% (minimum $60 USD/Euro). Fiat withdrawals via bank wire cost 0.100% (minimum $100) or 1.000% for express (minimum $125).

Source
Bitfinex: What is the maximum leverage available for margin trading?

Bitfinex offers up to 10x leverage on spot margin trading and up to 100x leverage on derivatives contracts. Leverage ratios vary by trading pair.

Source
Bitfinex: What account verification is required for margin trading?

Margin trading requires Intermediate level verification or higher for accounts created after March 1, 2022. Older accounts may use Basic Plus verification.

Source
Bitfinex: What happens if my margin position falls below maintenance requirements?

If account equity falls below the minimum maintenance margin level, Bitfinex automatically liquidates positions. A margin call triggers when equity falls below 1.5x the minimum maintenance margin ratio.

Source
Bitfinex: Can I borrow funds for margin trading?

Yes, Bitfinex Borrow allows you to borrow cryptocurrency or stablecoins for margin trading. Borrowed funds accrue peer-to-peer interest rates that adjust based on market conditions.

Source

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