A head-to-head comparison of Goldsky and SubQuery — 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
Decentralized indexer combining data, RPC, and AI across EVM and non-EVM
These are the 9 capabilities where the two tools genuinely diverge — the rest of their feature sets overlap.
| Capability | Goldsky | SubQuery |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | GraphQL (subgraphs) + SQL (Mirror) | GraphQL |
| Decentralized | No | Yes |
| Real Time Pipeline | Yes | — |
| Database Sinks | Yes | — |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Graph Compatible | Yes | — |
| Streaming Data | Yes | No |
| Webhook Delivery | Yes | — |
| Self Hostable | No | Yes |
| Feature | Goldsky | SubQuery |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | GraphQL (subgraphs) + SQL (Mirror) | GraphQL |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
SubQuery has the lower entry price of the two.
Goldsky
$250/mo
SubQuery
Free
SubQuery
$49/mo
$490/yr billed annually
Watch out: Not decentralized — Goldsky is a single company infrastructure provider.
Watch out: Broad ecosystem — clarify which service you need.
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 SubQuery when combines indexing, rpc, and ai in one ecosystem 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 SubQuery means broad ecosystem — clarify which service you need.
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. SubQuery wins when combines indexing, rpc, and ai in one ecosystem.
SubQuery starts lower, at $49/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 SubQuery, broad ecosystem — clarify which service you need. 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 SubQuery on combines indexing, rpc, and ai in one ecosystem, the two are often complementary rather than mutually exclusive.