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Crypto · head to head

dYdX vs Infura

dYdX logo

dYdX

Crypto

Decentralized perpetual trading

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: dYdX newer platform with smaller liquidity pools compared to centralized exchanges; 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: dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts, Infura covers Ethereum APIs.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which dYdX and Infura actually diverge.

Attributes where dYdX and Infura differ
AttributedYdXInfura
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsWebApi
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 dYdX

  • Perpetual Contracts
  • Cross Margin
  • Portfolio Margin
  • Governance
  • DYDX Token
  • Cosmos SDK
  • Web support

Only in Infura

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

What people use each for

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

dYdX

  • Definot Infura
  • Dexnot Infura
  • Derivativesnot Infura

Infura

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

Where each one falls short

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

dYdX

  • Newer platform with smaller liquidity pools compared to centralized exchanges
  • Requires cryptocurrency wallet for trading, adding friction for new users
  • Limited fiat on/off ramps compared to centralized alternatives like Coinbase

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

dYdX

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Perpetual trading
    • Governance
    • Staking

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 dYdX if

  • You need perpetual contracts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want cross margin.
dYdX 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 dYdX or Infura better?
Neither clearly leads. dYdX 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, dYdX or Infura?
dYdX starts at Free and Infura at Free.
Does dYdX or Infura run on more platforms?
dYdX runs on Web. Infura runs on Api.
Can I use dYdX for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is dYdX best used for?
dYdX is most often used for defi, dex, derivatives. Of those, defi and dex are not what Infura is typically brought in for.
What can dYdX do that Infura cannot?
dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts, Cross Margin, Portfolio Margin, Governance. Infura covers Ethereum APIs, IPFS Gateway, Archive Data, WebSocket Support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

dYdX: What type of trading does dYdX specialize in?

dYdX is a decentralized platform for perpetuals and margin trading, allowing professional traders to trade crypto derivatives without expiry dates. Built on ZK-rollup technology, it enables trading 143+ cryptocurrencies with leverage up to 50x on selected contracts.

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
dYdX: How does dYdX maintain decentralization?

dYdX governance is fully community-driven, meaning token holders decide on protocol upgrades, fee structures, and risk parameters. The platform distributes 100% of its trading fees to stakers.

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
dYdX: What are dYdX's gas fee advantages?

Built on StarkWare's ZK-rollup technology, dYdX enables trading with near-zero gas fees while users maintain full custody of their assets.

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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