Cryptocurrency & Blockchain · head to head
QuickNode vs dYdX
The short version
- Each has a real cost: QuickNode rate limited by plan in requests per second, at 15 on the free trial, 50 on Build and 125 on Accelerate, so throughput is a paid feature separate from volume; dYdX newer platform with smaller liquidity pools compared to centralized exchanges
- They diverge on capability: QuickNode covers Node APIs, dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which QuickNode and dYdX actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cryptocurrency & Blockchain), founded (2017).
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 QuickNode
- Node APIs
- NFT API
- Token API
- Streams
- Functions
- 25+ blockchains
- Marketplace add-ons
- Api support
Only in dYdX
- Perpetual Contracts
- Cross Margin
- Portfolio Margin
- Governance
- DYDX Token
- Cosmos SDK
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
QuickNode
- Running blockchain node infrastructure without operating nodesnot dYdX
- Querying chain data and broadcasting transactions over an APInot dYdX
dYdX
- Definot QuickNode
- Dexnot QuickNode
- Derivativesnot QuickNode
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
QuickNode
- Rate limited by plan in requests per second, at 15 on the free trial, 50 on Build and 125 on Accelerate, so throughput is a paid feature separate from volume
- Endpoints are also rationed, at 1 on the free trial and 10 on Build
- Credit overage is charged per million and only falls with plan, from $0.62 on Build to $0.50 on Business
- Support response time is sold as a tier, from a 24 hour SLA on Build down to 8 hours on Scale
- SSO and RBAC are Enterprise only
- The free offering is a trial rather than a standing free tier
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
Pricing, plan by plan
QuickNode
Free- FreeFree
- 10M API credits
- 1 endpoint
- Core add-ons
- Starter$49/month
- 100M API credits
- 3 endpoints
- All add-ons
- Growth$299/month
- 750M API credits
- 10 endpoints
- Priority support
dYdX
Free- FreeFree
- Perpetual trading
- Governance
- Staking
Which should you pick?
Choose QuickNode if
- You need node apis.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Api, Web.
- You also want nft api.
Choose dYdX if
- You need perpetual contracts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want cross margin.
Questions people ask
- Is QuickNode or dYdX better?
- Neither clearly leads. QuickNode starts at Free and dYdX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, QuickNode or dYdX?
- QuickNode starts at Free and dYdX at Free.
- Does QuickNode or dYdX run on more platforms?
- QuickNode runs on Api, Web. dYdX runs on Web.
- Can I use QuickNode for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is QuickNode best used for?
- QuickNode is most often used for running blockchain node infrastructure without operating nodes, querying chain data and broadcasting transactions over an api. Of those, running blockchain node infrastructure without operating nodes and querying chain data and broadcasting transactions over an api are not what dYdX is typically brought in for.
- What can QuickNode do that dYdX cannot?
- QuickNode covers Node APIs, NFT API, Token API, Streams. dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts, Cross Margin, Portfolio Margin, Governance. Both handle Web 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.
SourcedYdX: 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.
SourcedYdX: 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