A head-to-head comparison of Moralis and Subsquid (SQD) — pricing, the features that actually differ, and which one fits which use case.
Web3 backend platform with pre-built NFT, token, and wallet APIs for rapid dApp development
High-performance indexing across 225+ networks with fast historical backfill
These are the 8 capabilities where the two tools genuinely diverge — the rest of their feature sets overlap.
| Capability | Moralis | Subsquid (SQD) |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | REST API | GraphQL / SQL |
| Decentralized | No | Yes |
| Nft Api | Yes | — |
| Token Api | Yes | — |
| Webhook Streams | Yes | — |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Auth Service | Yes | — |
| Self Hostable | No | Yes |
| Feature | Moralis | Subsquid (SQD) |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | REST API | GraphQL / SQL |
| Decentralized | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi Chain | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nft Api | ✓ | — |
| Token Api | ✓ | — |
| Webhook Streams | ✓ | — |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✓ |
| Streaming Data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auth Service | ✓ | — |
| Self Hostable | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom Subgraphs | — | ✓ |
| Real Time Indexing | — | ✓ |
| Historical Data | — | ✓ |
| Governance Token | — | ✓ |
Moralis has the lower entry price of the two.
Moralis
Free
Moralis
$49/mo
$490/yr billed annually
Moralis
$149/mo
$1490/yr billed annually
Subsquid (SQD)
Free
Subsquid (SQD)
$49/mo
$490/yr billed annually
Watch out: Not decentralized — Moralis is a single company, not a network.
Watch out: Steeper learning curve than subgraphs.
Subsquid (SQD) edges ahead on our editorial score (4.4/5), but these tools aren’t straight substitutes. Pick Moralis when fastest path from idea to working dapp — no custom indexer needed for standard data matters most to your workflow; pick Subsquid (SQD) when 225+ networks, evm and non-evm is the priority. The deciding factor is usually the trade-off you can least afford — Moralis means accepting that not decentralized — moralis is a single company, not a network, while Subsquid (SQD) means steeper learning curve than subgraphs.
Subsquid (SQD) carries the higher editorial rating (4.4/5 vs 4.3/5), but they solve different problems. Moralis is the stronger pick when you need fastest path from idea to working dapp — no custom indexer needed for standard data. Subsquid (SQD) wins when 225+ networks, evm and non-evm.
Moralis starts lower, at $49/month versus $49/month. Both also offer a free tier.
Moralis's main limitation is that not decentralized — moralis is a single company, not a network. For Subsquid (SQD), steeper learning curve than subgraphs. 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 Moralis leads on fastest path from idea to working dapp — no custom indexer needed for standard data and Subsquid (SQD) on 225+ networks, evm and non-evm, the two are often complementary rather than mutually exclusive.