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An Alchemy alternative for your EVM workload
Evaluate NodeFlare for a standard JSON-RPC workload with predictable plan quotas and access to the operators of its primary infrastructure. Start with a free key, check the methods your chain supports, and measure the requests your application actually makes. Alchemy has a broader developer platform; changing providers is a workload decision, not a comparison of CU allowances alone.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Alchemy free | NodeFlare free |
|---|---|---|
| Free monthly allowance | 30M Alchemy CU | 3M NodeFlare CU; no card required |
| Free-tier throughput | 25 requests/second (500 CU/second) | 10 requests/second |
| Paid pricing model | Usage-based or enterprise | Fixed CU packages from $10/month; optional top-ups |
| Heavy methods | Check chain and plan support | Included with a key where supported; CU and range limits apply |
| Chain coverage | Check Alchemy's current chain directory | See NodeFlare's supported-chain list |
Checked 28 September 2026 against Alchemy’s pricing page. CU weights differ between providers, so the allowances are not equivalent request counts. Test a representative workload.
Alchemy pricing source → · NodeFlare prices and CU calculator →
One URL swap
NodeFlare speaks standard JSON-RPC. Your request body doesn't change — only the base URL.
# Before: Alchemy (eth mainnet)
curl https://eth-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_ALCHEMY_KEY \
-X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"eth_blockNumber","params":[],"id":1}'
# After: NodeFlare — one URL swap, same JSON-RPC body
curl https://rpc.nodeflare.app/eth/v1/YOUR_NODEFLARE_KEY \
-X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"eth_blockNumber","params":[],"id":1}'
# Or test now with no key:
curl https://rpc.nodeflare.app/eth/public \
-X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"eth_blockNumber","params":[],"id":1}'Chain slugs: eth, base, arb, op, bnb, polygon, avax — same pattern for every chain we serve.
Some chains you can evaluate on NodeFlare
Check these supported EVM chains and their documented methods. For the complete current list, use the chains directory.
Every chain we serve shares the same endpoint pattern and API key — swap the chain slug, nothing else.
Why developers switch
Heavy methods, free
Supported eth_getLogs, trace and debug methods are available with a free key. Each method consumes its published compute-unit weight.
Young chains, own nodes
Robinhood Chain, Ink, Zircuit, Soneium, BOB and Mode on bare-metal nodes — not a pass-through to a third-party API that doesn't support them.
x402 for agents
Call RPC or data endpoints and pay per request in USDC with no account. Designed for AI agents that need on-chain access without human onboarding.
FAQ
Is NodeFlare really free?
Yes. Sign up at nodeflare.app — no credit card required. You get 3,000,000 compute units per month on the free tier. That covers development, indexing scripts, and light production workloads. eth_getLogs and supported trace/debug methods are included; availability varies by chain.
Which methods are included on the free tier?
Supported heavy methods are available with a free API key and consume compute units. Check each chain's method support and block-range limits before migrating; a free key does not guarantee every trace or debug method on every chain.
How do I swap from Alchemy to NodeFlare?
Standard JSON-RPC calls usually need an endpoint change; provider-specific APIs require separate integration work. NodeFlare speaks standard JSON-RPC — the same wire format as Alchemy and every other EVM provider. Replace your Alchemy URL with https://rpc.nodeflare.app/{chain}/v1/YOUR_KEY and keep the request body exactly as-is. The public endpoint (/{chain}/public) lets you test before you sign up.
How should I compare chain coverage?
Check both providers' current chain directories and the exact methods your application calls. NodeFlare includes every currently supported EVM chain in each API-key plan; availability of trace/debug methods and historical state varies by chain.
What is x402 pay-per-call?
x402 lets you call NodeFlare RPC or data endpoints and pay per request in USDC — no account, no API key, no dashboard. Your agent or script attaches a payment to the HTTP request using the x402 protocol; NodeFlare verifies it and processes the call. It's designed for AI agents that need on-chain access without a human setting up an account first.
Is NodeFlare built on Alchemy's or Infura's infrastructure?
No. NodeFlare operates its own bare-metal nodes across US-East, US-West, EU and Asia. It is not a reseller or aggregator of third-party node infrastructure. Our own nodes are the primary upstreams. Some chains use public third-party backstops if our own nodes are exhausted; regional coverage varies.
Free key in under a minute
3M compute units/month, no credit card. Test compatibility, measure a representative workload and choose a plan when you need more capacity.