A head-to-head comparison of The Graph and Bitquery — pricing, the features that actually differ, and which one fits which use case.
The decentralized indexing protocol for querying blockchain data via GraphQL subgraphs
GraphQL blockchain data APIs with deep DEX, transfer, and analytics coverage
These are the 5 capabilities where the two tools genuinely diverge — the rest of their feature sets overlap.
| Capability | The Graph | Bitquery |
|---|---|---|
| Decentralized | Yes | No |
| Custom Subgraphs | Yes | No |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Governance Token | Yes | No |
| Self Hostable | Yes | No |
| Feature | The Graph | Bitquery |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | GraphQL | GraphQL |
| Decentralized | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi Chain | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Subgraphs | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real Time Indexing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Historical Data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✓ | ✗ |
| Streaming Data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Governance Token | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self Hostable | ✓ | ✗ |
Both tools are free to use — costs come from network or usage fees.
The Graph
Free
The Graph
Custom
Bitquery
Free
Bitquery
$49/mo
$490/yr billed annually
Watch out: GRT payment model adds billing complexity vs simple API key plans.
Watch out: GraphQL query crafting has a learning curve.
The Graph edges ahead on our editorial score (4.4/5), but these tools aren’t straight substitutes. Pick The Graph when standard for defi data — uniswap, aave, compound all run on the graph matters most to your workflow; pick Bitquery when powerful graphql across 40+ chains is the priority. The deciding factor is usually the trade-off you can least afford — The Graph means accepting that grt payment model adds billing complexity vs simple api key plans, while Bitquery means graphql query crafting has a learning curve.
The Graph carries the higher editorial rating (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5), but they solve different problems. The Graph is the stronger pick when you need standard for defi data — uniswap, aave, compound all run on the graph. Bitquery wins when powerful graphql across 40+ chains.
Both tools are free to use, with costs coming from network or usage fees rather than subscriptions.
The Graph's main limitation is that grt payment model adds billing complexity vs simple api key plans. For Bitquery, graphql query crafting has a learning curve. 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 The Graph leads on standard for defi data — uniswap, aave, compound all run on the graph and Bitquery on powerful graphql across 40+ chains, the two are often complementary rather than mutually exclusive.