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Crypto · head to head

dYdX vs The Graph

dYdX logo

dYdX

Crypto

Decentralized perpetual trading

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Graph logo

The Graph

Crypto

The indexing protocol for Web3

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: dYdX newer platform with smaller liquidity pools compared to centralized exchanges; The Graph no specific pricing tiers or rates published on homepage or pricing pages
  • They diverge on capability: dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts, The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where dYdX and The Graph differ
AttributedYdXThe Graph
Pricing modelfreeusage-based
PlatformsWebWeb, Api
Founded20172018

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

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.

dYdX

  • Definot The Graph
  • Dexnot The Graph
  • Derivativesnot The Graph

The Graph

  • Decentralized data indexing and querying infrastructurenot dYdX
  • Blockchain and Web3 development with subgraphsnot dYdX
  • Real-time data availability for distributed applicationsnot 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

The Graph

  • No specific pricing tiers or rates published on homepage or pricing pages
  • Only generic cost-comparison claim provided (60-98% less per month)

Pricing, plan by plan

dYdX

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Perpetual trading
    • Governance
    • Staking

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 dYdX if

  • You need perpetual contracts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want cross margin.
dYdX 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 dYdX or The Graph better?
Neither clearly leads. dYdX 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, dYdX or The Graph?
dYdX starts at Free and The Graph at Free.
Does dYdX or The Graph run on more platforms?
dYdX runs on Web. The Graph runs on Web, 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 The Graph is typically brought in for.
What can dYdX do that The Graph cannot?
dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts, Cross Margin, Portfolio Margin, Governance. The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing, GraphQL API, Decentralized Network, Multi-chain Support. 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.

Source
The Graph: What is The Graph pricing model?

The Graph does not publish specific pricing tiers on its homepage. The platform claims to cost 60-98% less per month compared to running expensive proprietary servers, but exact rates are not provided.

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
The Graph: How do I find detailed pricing for The Graph services?

Detailed pricing information is likely available in product-specific pages (Amp, Subgraphs, Substreams) or in the documentation rather than the homepage. Contact The Graph team or review their documentation for specific cost details.

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
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