A head-to-head comparison of The Graph and Goldsky — pricing, the features that actually differ, and which one fits which use case.
The decentralized indexing protocol for querying blockchain data via GraphQL subgraphs
Real-time blockchain data pipelines with subgraph hosting and Mirror streaming to any database
These are the 8 capabilities where the two tools genuinely diverge — the rest of their feature sets overlap.
| Capability | The Graph | Goldsky |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | GraphQL | GraphQL (subgraphs) + SQL (Mirror) |
| Decentralized | Yes | No |
| Custom Subgraphs | Yes | — |
| Real Time Indexing | Yes | — |
| Historical Data | Yes | — |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Governance Token | Yes | — |
| Self Hostable | Yes | No |
| Feature | The Graph | Goldsky |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | GraphQL | GraphQL (subgraphs) + SQL (Mirror) |
| Decentralized | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi Chain | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Subgraphs | ✓ | — |
| Real Time Indexing | ✓ | — |
| Historical Data | ✓ | — |
| Open Source | ✓ | ✗ |
| Streaming Data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Governance Token | ✓ | — |
| Self Hostable | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real Time Pipeline | — | ✓ |
| Database Sinks | — | ✓ |
| Graph Compatible | — | ✓ |
| Webhook Delivery | — | ✓ |
Both tools are free to use — costs come from network or usage fees.
The Graph
Free
The Graph
Custom
Goldsky
$250/mo
Watch out: GRT payment model adds billing complexity vs simple API key plans.
Watch out: Not decentralized — Goldsky is a single company infrastructure provider.
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 Goldsky when drop-in replacement for the graph hosted service — same code, better reliability 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 Goldsky means not decentralized — goldsky is a single company infrastructure provider.
The Graph carries the higher editorial rating (4.4/5 vs 4.4/5), 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. Goldsky wins when drop-in replacement for the graph hosted service — same code, better reliability.
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 Goldsky, not decentralized — goldsky is a single company infrastructure provider. 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 Goldsky on drop-in replacement for the graph hosted service — same code, better reliability, the two are often complementary rather than mutually exclusive.