Alchemy vs. Infura: Which node provider is best?

Platforms like Infura and Alchemy provide remote access to blockchain services, eliminating the need for developers to set up and manage their own nodes, which can be complex and resource-intensive. Infura, founded in 2016 and now part of ConsenSys, offers reliable infrastructure for Ethereum projects and supports Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks, along with an IPFS API for decentralized file storage. Alchemy, a newer entrant, supports a range of networks including Ethereum, Polygon, and soon Solana, and offers features like real-time notifications and an NFT API to enhance decentralized application development. Both platforms provide intuitive interfaces, extensive API documentation, and security features such as request whitelisting, but differ in team collaboration capabilities and pricing structures. Alchemy's free plan is more generous in terms of compute units and application support, making it more suitable for team projects, whereas Infura's offerings might be more appealing for solo developers, particularly with its IPFS capabilities.