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MakerDAO vs The Graph

MakerDAO logo

MakerDAO

Software

The decentralized stablecoin 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: MakerDAO makerDAO is governed as a decentralized autonomous organization by MKR token holder vote rather than a vendor, so it has no company-set price list, subscription tiers or sales contact; access and fees (stability fee, liquidation ratio) are set by on-chain governance vote rather than published as a product price; 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: MakerDAO covers DAI Stablecoin, The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where MakerDAO and The Graph differ
AttributeMakerDAOThe Graph
Pricing modelfreeusage-based
PlatformsWebWeb, Api
Founded20152018

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 MakerDAO

  • DAI Stablecoin
  • Vaults
  • Stability Fees
  • Liquidations
  • Governance
  • MKR Token
  • DAI
  • Spark Protocol

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.

MakerDAO

  • Definot The Graph
  • Stablecoinnot The Graph
  • Lendingnot The Graph

The Graph

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

Where each one falls short

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

MakerDAO

  • MakerDAO is governed as a decentralized autonomous organization by MKR token holder vote rather than a vendor, so it has no company-set price list, subscription tiers or sales contact; access and fees (stability fee, liquidation ratio) are set by on-chain governance vote rather than published as a product price

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

MakerDAO

Free
  • FreeFree
    • DAI minting
    • Vaults
    • Governance

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 MakerDAO if

  • You need dai stablecoin.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want vaults.
MakerDAO 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 MakerDAO or The Graph better?
Neither clearly leads. MakerDAO 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, MakerDAO or The Graph?
MakerDAO starts at Free and The Graph at Free.
Does MakerDAO or The Graph run on more platforms?
MakerDAO runs on Web. The Graph runs on Web, Api.
Can I use MakerDAO for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MakerDAO best used for?
MakerDAO is most often used for defi, stablecoin, lending. Of those, defi and stablecoin are not what The Graph is typically brought in for.
What can MakerDAO do that The Graph cannot?
MakerDAO covers DAI Stablecoin, Vaults, Stability Fees, Liquidations. The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing, GraphQL API, Decentralized Network, Multi-chain Support. Both handle Web support.
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Related pages

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