Top 10 Blockchain Indexing Services

Blockchain indexing services are important tools that help make on-chain data accessible and usable for developers, analysts, and businesses. They work by providing an organized and structured database of blockchain data, which makes it easier to search, query, and analyze items such as transactions, balances, Internal transfers, and wallet activities.

In this article, we will cover the top 10 blockchain indexing platforms, highlighting their comprehensive features and developer-friendly solutions.

Bitquery is an advanced blockchain data provider that indexes and aggregates data from multiple blockchain networks, making it accessible via APIs, streams, and cloud solutions. 

Core Infrastructure

Its infrastructure provides access to historical and real-time blockchain data via various interfaces, including low-latency Streams. Bitquery’s infrastructure is designed to handle massive amounts of data efficiently while maintaining high availability and performance. It supports a wide range of blockchain networks, including Ethereum and all EVM-compatible chains (Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Avalanche, etc.), Solana, Bitcoin, and many more.

Data Access Methods

1. GraphQL Query API

The GraphQL Query API serves as Bitquery’s primary interface for data retrieval. With it, developers can build custom queries to retrieve the exact data they need.

It allows developers to do the following;

• Request the data they need.
• Combine multiple queries in a single request.
• Fetch nested data.

GraphQL Streams

Bitquery’s GraphQL Subscription API, powered by WebSocket technology, represents a paradigm shift in how developers access blockchain data. Unlike traditional request-response patterns, this streaming approach establishes persistent connections that deliver data updates in real-time as they occur on the blockchain.

Kafka Streams

Bitquery’s Kafka Streams represent an enterprise-grade solution for high-volume, mission-critical blockchain data applications. As an alternative to WebSocket-based subscriptions, it provides superior throughput, reliability, and scalability for organizations processing large volumes of blockchain data in real-time for Bitcoin, Solana, EVM, Tron, and other popular chains.

This streaming infrastructure delivers unfiltered blockchain data to enterprise clients, enabling low-latency processing for time-sensitive applications like algorithmic trading, risk management systems, and large-scale analytics platforms. 

The Kafka streams deliver blockchain data with several important characteristics:

• Unfiltered Data
• Compression Support
• Partitioned Topics
• Retention Periods
• Message Guarantees

Kafka Streams are particularly well-suited for:

• High-Frequency Trading
• Risk Management Systems
• Cross-Chain Analytics
• MEV Strategies
• Enterprise Applications

GraphQL APIs

EVM-Based Blockchain APIs

Bitquery’s indexing infrastructure processes millions of blocks, transactions, and events across Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks, transforming raw blockchain data into datasets through specialized endpoints:

Blocks API:

Miner Rewards API:

•   Indexes: Block rewards, transaction fees, consensus details
•   Use case: Validator performance tracking across EVM chains

Uncle Blocks API: 

• Indexes: Orphaned blocks and related network health metrics
• Application: Network security and consensus analysis

Balances API: 

Transfers API:   

Solana Blockchain APIs

Bitquery has extended its indexing capabilities beyond EVM chains to the Solana ecosystem, processing and normalizing Solana’s unique data structures:

Balance Updates: 

• Indexes: SPL token balances and SOL native currency
• Use case: Solana wallet monitoring applications

DEX Trading: 

•   Indexes: Jupiter, Raydium, and other Solana DEX transactions
•   Application: Price tracking and liquidity analysis

NFT Transactions: 

•   Indexes: Metaplex and other NFT protocol activities
•   Use case: NFT marketplace analytics

Program Interactions: 

• Indexes: Program calls, instruction data, and account interactions
• Application: Smart contract usage monitoring

Specialized Use Case APIs

Bitquery’s indexing platform also offers purpose-built APIs for specific blockchain analysis, such as:

Mempool Analysis: 

Real-time Monitoring:   

• Delivery: WebSocket and Kafka streaming interfaces
• Application: Trading bots and alert systems

Address Tracking: 

• Optimization: Batch processing and array intersections
• Use case: Large-scale wallet monitoring services

Price Streaming:

•   Indexes: Token prices across DEXs and bridged assets
•   Application: Trading charts and portfolio valuation

By using Bitquery’s indexing infrastructure, developers can build sophisticated blockchain applications with deep on-chain data analysis capabilities, without the complexity of managing their own indexing systems.

Datashares and Data Dumps

 Users can request complete datasets of on-chain information instead of depending on API calls.

Key features include:

• Custom Data Extraction: Users can request on-chain data across multiple blockchains and for any data point they want.
• Infrastructure Integration: Bitquery will deliver blockchain data into their existing databases, or analytics platforms
• Flexible Delivery: Users receive data in formats compatible with their systems
• Historical & Real-time Options: Users have access to both historical blockchain archives and real-time data flows

The Graph is a decentralized indexing protocol that allows efficient querying of blockchain data through subgraphs built using GraphQL. It organizes and indexes blockchain data into easily queryable datasets, thus eliminating the need for developers to build and maintain custom indexing infrastructure. It supports over 90+ networks.

Its data services include the following:

• Subgraphs: Open APIs that can be created by anyone and used to query blockchain data.
• Substreams: High-performance data streams for real-time blockchain processing.
• Token API Beta: Instant access to standardized token data requiring zero setup.

The Graph makes use of a combination of cutting-edge research, core dev expertise, and independent Indexers to make blockchain data accessible for developers.

Key features:

• Custom Real-Time Data Streams– This feature gives developers access to live analytics, which is important for applications requiring immediate data processing, such as high-frequency trading platforms.
• Instant Token Data– Through its Token API, The Graph provides instant access to on-chain token information, including wallet balances, liquidity pool data, and transfer events. This helps in the development of responsive dApps and enhances user experience by providing up-to-date token data.
• Flexible Historical Queries– Developers can perform flexible queries on historical blockchain data. This feature is essential for building dApp frontends that require access to past events and for conducting custom analytics. 

Covalent is a blockchain indexing platform that makes access to on-chain data across multiple networks easy through its Unified API. It is designed to meet the needs of developers, analysts, and enterprises. By eliminating the need for complex queries, it offers a simple approach to building dApps and analytics tools.

Key Features of Covalent

• Multi-Chain Support: It has indexed over 200 blockchain networks,  including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Layer-2 solutions like Optimistic and zk-Rollups. This coverage gives developers access to data from multiple ecosystems through a single API endpoint. 

• GoldRush API: The GoldRush API provides consistent and structured data across different blockchains. It offers structured on-chain data through powerful APIs, SDKs, and UI Kits, including: token balances, historical transactions, decoded event logs, traces with internal transactions, state changes, and input data. It can be used for foundational use cases such as wallets, portfolio trackers, taxation and accounting tools, and DeFi dashboards. 

• Comprehensive Data Retrieval: It offers a wide range of data, including token balances, transaction histories, and  NFT metadata

• Modular Data Architecture with Block Specimens: Covalent has what it calls the Block Specimen, a standardized, canonical data storage format that represents a blockchain’s historical state. This model allows for decoupled data processing, composability, reusability, and efficient data transformation. It not only streamlines data access and processing but also encourages a collaborative environment where developers can innovate by building upon existing data structures.

Moralis is a comprehensive Web3 development platform that offers a suite of APIs and SDKs that are designed to streamline the creation of dApps. It has tools that are beneficial for developers building NFT marketplaces, DeFi dashboards, and blockchain-based games.

 Key Features of Moralis;

• Web3 Data APIs: Moralis indexes and provides access to blockchain data through a suite of data-focused API endpoints useful for developers building various dapps. The Web3 Data API supports data including Blocks, Transactions, NFTs, Tokens, and Balance information.
• Streams API for Real-Time Data: The Streams API allows developers to listen for real-time events on chain. With this, developers can monitor when a new event is emitted in a contract or when a wallet address does an NFT transfer or a transaction. Users can set up filters to receive notifications for specific events, such as high-value transactions or particular contract interactions. The webhook integration allows users to receive real-time data directly to their backend, ensuring timely updates for applications. 
• Cross-Chain Compatibility: Moralis has support for multiple blockchain networks, which allows developers to build applications that interact with various chains without additional configuration.

• Scalable Infrastructure: It is designed to handle high-throughput applications while ensuring scalability and reliability, making it suitable for projects ranging from startups to enterprise-level solutions.

Alchemy Subgraphs is a blockchain indexing solution built on The Graph protocol,it is designed to streamline the process of creating and deploying subgraphsfor Web3 developers. It offers enhanced infrastructure and performance, which makes it easier to build and scale dApps.Subgraphs allow developers to filter and sort data based on their needs, letting them extract only the information important to their dapp.

Key Features of Alchemy Subgraphs

• Hosted GraphQL Infrastructure: Alchemy gives users a fully managed GraphQL infrastructure that eliminates the need for developers to maintain their own indexing servers. 
• Seamless SDK Integrations: With Various SDKs, developers can integrate with Alchemy Subgraphs, getting a smooth interaction with different programming environments and enhanced development experience.
• Advanced Node Management Tools: Alchemy provides users with tools that are suited for efficient node management, thus providing insights into indexing performance and offering better control over subgraph deployments. 
• Multi-Chain Support: Alchemy Subgraphs has support for multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Optimism. This feature allows developers to build applications that can interact with various ecosystems via a unified interface.

QuickNode is a blockchain infrastructure platform that provides developers a suite of APIs and add-ons to access and index blockchain data. It has mulitchain support including networks like Ethereum, Solana, and Binance Smart Chain (BSC). This platform provides tools tailored for building scalable Web3 applications.

Key Features of QuickNode

• Token API: QuickNode Token API is an API that allows a user to get token metadata, balances, and transfer histories of ERC20 tokens for a wallet on the Ethereum mainnet.
•  NFT API: The Quicknode NFT API allows users access on-chain NFT metadata, such as images, attributes, and descriptions. With this, users can retrieve minting details and also verify the ownership info of NFTs.
• DEX Price Data and Wallet Tracking: Quicknode offers historical price data for over 300k tokens via its marketplace add-ons. Users can also make use of its Wallet APIs to analyze trading profits and track wallet activities.

Chainbase is a Web3 data infrastructure platform that simplifies the indexing and analysis of on-chain data. It gives developers the means to build scalable dApps by giving them access to real-time data and other developer-friendly tools.

Key Features of Chainbase

• Real-Time SQL Queries: With Chainbase’s Data Cloud, developers can execute low-latency SQL queries on indexed blockchain datasets. This allows for faster data retrieval and analysis without the need to manage complex infrastructure. 
• Comprehensive APIs and SDKs: Chainbase offers a range of APIs that aid in seamless integration into various development environments. This feature grants developers access to token balances, transaction histories, NFT metadata, etc.
• Multi-Chain Support: Chainbase has multichain support for networks including Ethereum, Optimism, and Binance Smart Chain. 
• Pipeline for Data Transformation: Chainbase’s Pipeline tool allows developers to transform and customize blockchain data streams. Developers can create tailored data flows to suit specific application requirements. 

Etherscan is a popular Ethereum blockchain explorer that grants users access to on-chain data. The platform allows users to explore and search the Ethereum blockchain for transactions, addresses, and other Ethereum activities.

Key Features of Etherscan

• Transaction Monitoring: Etherscan allows users to monitor various transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Users can enter a wallet address or transaction hash, and they are provided with detailed info such as sender and receiver addresses, transaction status, gas fees, and timestamps. 
• Smart Contract Interaction: Users can view and interact with verified smart contracts directly through the platform. It provides users access to contract source codes, which allows them to read and write contract functions.
• Token Analytics: Users can get detailed information on Ethereum-based tokens and can also view details of such tokens, such as total supply, holders, and transfer history. 
• Gas Fee Monitoring: Etherscan has a gas monitoring feature that provides real-time updates on gas prices. This helps users estimate transaction costs and optimize timing.
• Developer Tools: The developer tool suite, which includes APIs, allows for a smooth integration of Ethereum data into applications and services. These APIs give developers access to real-time information on transactions, tokens, and smart contracts. 

Helius is an indexing platform that is designed to streamline development on the Solana blockchain. It offers developers a suite of tools and services that allow them to efficiently access and organize on-chain data without the need to manage their own indexing systems.

Key Indexing Features of Helius

• Custom Indexers: It allows developers to create tailored indexers that define specific data structures and retrieval logic. This allows developers to efficiently query complex datasets without the need to process raw blockchain logs repeatedly. 
• Real-Time Data Streaming: Helius Data Streaming allows users to receive real-time data from the Solana blockchain, including transactions, accounts, and more. Available streaming options include: Standard WebSockets and LaserStream. Through its LaserStream service, it provides ultra-low-latency streaming of Solana blockchain data, including transactions, accounts, logs, and blocks. 
• Enhanced Websockets: Helius provides Enhanced WebSockets that offer faster response times than traditional WebSockets.
• Dedicated nodes: Helius offers dedicated nodes that are optimized for low latency and high performance. These nodes are perfect for latency-sensitive applications such as data streaming or handling a high volume of requests.
• Enhanced APIs: Helius also offers a range of APIs that provide enriched access to blockchain data. These include the Digital Asset Standard (DAS) API for comprehensive asset data, the Enhanced Transactions API for detailed transaction insights, and NFT APIs for metadata and ownership information. 

Arkham Intelligence is an advanced blockchain indexing platform that transforms complex on-chain data into structured, accessible intelligence. It makes use of its AI engine to map out wallet addresses to real-world entities, allowing users to trace transactions and understand money flow across multiple blockchains. 

Key Features:

• AI algorithm: Arkham’s algorithm deanonymizes blockchain addresses and links them to individuals, organizations, and institutions. 
• Multi-Chain Indexing: It has support for data aggregation from various blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tron, thus providing a comprehensive view of cross-chain activities. 
• Visualizer: Arkham offers interactive graph visualizations and customizable dashboards that analyze relationships and fund movements between entities.
• Exchange Marketplace: It has a decentralized platform where users can buy and sell on-chain intelligence, such as entity labels and transaction analyses, using its native ARKM token. 
• Real-Time Alerts and Monitoring: It provides real-time notifications on specific on-chain events, which enhances the ability to monitor and respond to blockchain activities promptly. 

When selecting a blockchain indexing platform, it is important for developers to consider the following: data coverage, performance, reliability, developer tools, and scalability.

The platforms mentioned in this article each offer unique strengths tailored to different use cases. Evaluating your specific requirements against these offerings will guide you to the most suitable choice.