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Crypto · head to head

Compound vs Infura

Compound logo

Compound

Crypto

Autonomous interest rate protocol

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Infura logo

Infura

Crypto

Ethereum and IPFS APIs for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Compound no pricing information is published on the pricing page.; Infura the free plan is capped at 3 million credits a day, 500 credits per second and a single API key
  • They diverge on capability: Compound covers Lending, Infura covers Ethereum APIs.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Compound and Infura actually diverge.

Attributes where Compound and Infura differ
AttributeCompoundInfura
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsEthereumApi
Founded20172016

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

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
  • Web support

Only in Infura

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

Both cover

  • Ethereum

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 Infura
  • Cryptocurrency collateral management for USDC borrowingnot Infura
  • Interest earning through crypto asset supplynot Infura
  • Algorithmic interest rate determination based on supply and demandnot Infura

Infura

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

Where each one falls short

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

Compound

  • No pricing information is published on the pricing page.

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Compound

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Compound review.

Infura

Free
  • CoreFree
    • 3 million daily credits
    • 500 credits/second throughput
    • 1 API key
  • Developer$50/month
    • 15 million daily credits
    • 4,000 credits/second throughput
    • 5 API keys
  • Team$225/month
    • 75 million daily credits
    • 40,000 credits/second throughput
    • unlimited API keys
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • custom daily credits
    • custom throughput
    • unlimited API keys

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 Infura if

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

Questions people ask

Is Compound or Infura better?
Neither clearly leads. Compound starts at Free and Infura at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Compound or Infura?
Compound starts at Free and Infura at Free.
Does Compound or Infura run on more platforms?
Compound runs on Ethereum. Infura runs on 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 Infura is typically brought in for.
What can Compound do that Infura cannot?
Compound covers Lending, Borrowing, cTokens, Governance. Infura covers Ethereum APIs, IPFS Gateway, Archive Data, WebSocket Support. Both handle Ethereum.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Compound: How much does Compound cost?

Compound does not publish pricing information. No details about pricing tiers, plans, or costs are available on the pricing page or main website.

Source
Infura: How much does Infura cost?

Infura offers a free Core plan with 3 million daily credits. Paid plans include Developer at $50/month for 15 million credits, Team at $225/month for 75 million credits, and Enterprise plans with custom pricing. Additional credits cost $200 per month for 55 million extra credits.

Source
Infura: Is there a free version of Infura?

Yes, Infura Core is completely free and includes 3 million daily credits, 500 credits/second guaranteed throughput, 1 API key, access to 40+ supported networks, Gas API, and full archive data with community forum support.

Source
Infura: Can I upgrade or downgrade Infura plans anytime?

Yes, upgrades and downgrades are available anytime. Upgrades take effect immediately while request visibility requires 24 to 30 days depending on the plan tier.

Source
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