A head-to-head comparison of Goldsky and Covalent (GoldRush) — pricing, the features that actually differ, and which one fits which use case.
Real-time blockchain data pipelines with subgraph hosting and Mirror streaming to any database
Unified multi-chain data API with the broadest chain coverage
These are the 6 capabilities where the two tools genuinely diverge — the rest of their feature sets overlap.
| Capability | Goldsky | Covalent (GoldRush) |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | GraphQL (subgraphs) + SQL (Mirror) | REST API |
| Decentralized | No | Yes |
| Real Time Pipeline | Yes | — |
| Database Sinks | Yes | — |
| Graph Compatible | Yes | — |
| Webhook Delivery | Yes | — |
| Feature | Goldsky | Covalent (GoldRush) |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | GraphQL (subgraphs) + SQL (Mirror) | REST API |
| Decentralized | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi Chain | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real Time Pipeline | ✓ | — |
| Database Sinks | ✓ | — |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✗ |
| Graph Compatible | ✓ | — |
| Streaming Data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhook Delivery | ✓ | — |
| Self Hostable | ✗ | ✗ |
| Custom Subgraphs | — | ✗ |
| Real Time Indexing | — | ✗ |
| Historical Data | — | ✓ |
| Governance Token | — | ✓ |
Covalent (GoldRush) has the lower entry price of the two.
Goldsky
$250/mo
Covalent (GoldRush)
Free
Covalent (GoldRush)
$50/mo
$500/yr billed annually
Watch out: Not decentralized — Goldsky is a single company infrastructure provider.
Watch out: Less flexible than custom indexers.
Goldsky edges ahead on our editorial score (4.4/5), but these tools aren’t straight substitutes. Pick Goldsky when drop-in replacement for the graph hosted service — same code, better reliability matters most to your workflow; pick Covalent (GoldRush) when broadest multi-chain coverage (100+ networks) is the priority. The deciding factor is usually the trade-off you can least afford — Goldsky means accepting that not decentralized — goldsky is a single company infrastructure provider, while Covalent (GoldRush) means less flexible than custom indexers.
Goldsky carries the higher editorial rating (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5), but they solve different problems. Goldsky is the stronger pick when you need drop-in replacement for the graph hosted service — same code, better reliability. Covalent (GoldRush) wins when broadest multi-chain coverage (100+ networks).
Covalent (GoldRush) starts lower, at $50/month versus $250/month. Both also offer a free tier.
Goldsky's main limitation is that not decentralized — goldsky is a single company infrastructure provider. For Covalent (GoldRush), less flexible than custom indexers. Weigh these against how you actually plan to use the tool.
In most cases yes — many teams run both, using each where it's strongest. Since Goldsky leads on drop-in replacement for the graph hosted service — same code, better reliability and Covalent (GoldRush) on broadest multi-chain coverage (100+ networks), the two are often complementary rather than mutually exclusive.