Sonic blockchain delivers 10,000+ TPS with sub-second finality, making it one of the fastest EVM-compatible networks available. Choosing the right RPC provider directly impacts your dApp's performance, reliability, and operational costs. This guide compares the top 9 Sonic RPC providers to help you make an informed decision.

What is Sonic Blockchain?

Sonic is a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain optimized for speed and scalability. Key specifications:

• Chain ID: 146 (mainnet)
• Throughput: 10,000+ TPS
• Finality: Sub-second
• Block Gas Limit: 200,000,000
• Native Token: S
• Compatibility: Full EVM compatibility

Why Your RPC Provider Matters

An RPC (Remote Procedure Call) provider acts as the gateway between your application and the Sonic blockchain. Your provider choice affects:

• Response Time: Lower latency = faster user experience
• Uptime: Reliability determines if your dApp stays online
• Costs: Pricing models vary dramatically between providers
• Scalability: Rate limits can throttle growth
• Features: Archive nodes, WebSockets, and trace methods vary by provider

Top 9 Sonic RPC Providers Compared

Quick Comparison Table

1. Dwellir - Simplest Pricing Model

Pricing: $49 to $999/month | Model: 1 response = 1 credit

Dwellir eliminates compute unit complexity with straightforward 1:1 pricing. Every RPC call costs one credit regardless of method type.

Key Features:

• Simple pricing across all methods (trace, debug, standard)
• 150+ blockchains with one API key
• 99.99% uptime SLA
• HTTPS, WSS, and GRPC support
• $2-5 per million overage (industry's lowest)

Plans:

• Starter: $5 one-time (500K/day, 20 RPS)
• Developer: $49/mo (unlimited, 100 RPS)
• Growth: $299/mo (unlimited, 500 RPS)
• Scale: $999/mo (unlimited, 2,000 RPS)

Best For: Teams needing predictable costs and multi-chain support.

2. Alchemy - Feature-Rich Platform

Pricing: $199 to custom | Model: Compute units (10-500 CU per request)

Alchemy provides comprehensive Web3 development tools including NFT APIs, enhanced WebSocket subscriptions, and advanced analytics.

Key Features:

• Extensive developer dashboard
• NFT and token APIs included
• Webhooks and notifications
• Simulation APIs
• Archive data access

Pricing:

• Free: 300M CU/month
• Growth: $199/mo (1.5B CU)
• Scale: $499/mo (6B CU)
• Enterprise: Custom

Best For: Teams needing comprehensive Web3 development tools.

3. QuickNode - Global Performance Network

Pricing: $49 to $900+/month | Model: API credits (1-500 per request)

QuickNode operates a globally distributed network with presence in 30+ regions for optimal latency.

Key Features:

• Global edge network
• Add-ons marketplace
• GraphQL support
• Performance analytics
• Archive node access

Pricing:

• Free: 50M credits
• Build: $49/mo (300M credits)
• Scale: $299/mo (3B credits)
• Business: $900+/mo (15B+ credits)

Best For: Applications requiring low latency worldwide.

4. Ankr - Multi-Chain Infrastructure

Pricing: $399/month | Model: Compute units

Ankr specializes in multi-chain infrastructure with advanced load balancing across multiple node providers.

Key Features:

• 50+ blockchains supported
• Advanced caching layer
• Premium endpoints
• RPC aggregation
• Token APIs

Pricing:

• Free: 500M CU/day (rate limited)
• Premium: $399/mo (1B requests)

Best For: Multi-chain applications needing robust infrastructure.

5. Chainstack - Managed Node Solution

Pricing: $49 to enterprise | Model: Request-based

Chainstack offers both shared and dedicated node options with extensive management tools.

Key Features:

• Dedicated nodes available
• Subgraph indexing
• Analytics dashboard
• Bolt (enhanced API)
• 24/7 support

Pricing:

• Developer: Free (3M requests)
• Growth: $49/mo (20M requests)
• Pro: $199/mo (80M requests)
• Enterprise: $990/mo (400M requests)

Best For: Teams wanting scalability and subgraphs

6. GetBlock - Developer-Focused Platform

Pricing: $39 to custom | Model: Compute units (CU-based)

GetBlock transitioned to a Compute Units model in 2025, measuring actual computational resources consumed by each request on the blockchain.

Key Features:

• 50+ blockchains
• Shared and dedicated nodes
• REST and WebSocket
• Archive access
• Flexible rate limits
• CU-based pricing with blockchain and method multipliers

Pricing:

• Free: Available with CU limits
• Starter: $39/mo
• Pro: $399/mo (when billed annually)
• Enterprise: $999+/mo (customizable)

Compute Units Model: Uses blockchain multipliers and method multipliers to calculate actual resource consumption. More complex methods (debug, trace) consume more CUs than basic calls.

Best For: Developers seeking flexible compute-based pricing with multi-chain support.

7. NodeReal - Enterprise Features

Pricing: $199 to custom | Model: Compute units

NodeReal focuses on enterprise clients with advanced analytics and customization options.

Key Features:

• Enhanced APIs
• MetaScan analytics
• Custom infrastructure
• Dedicated support
• High throughput

Pricing:

• Free: 25M CU/month
• Standard: $199/mo
• Professional: Custom

Best For: Enterprise teams with custom requirements.

8. dRPC - Decentralized RPC Network

Pricing: Pay-as-you-go | Model: Variable compute units

dRPC aggregates multiple node providers in a decentralized network for enhanced reliability.

Key Features:

• Decentralized architecture
• Auto-failover
• Multiple providers
• Geographic routing
• Censorship resistant

Pricing: Usage-based with variable rates

Best For: Projects prioritizing decentralization.

9. Sonic Labs Official - For Testing Only

Pricing: Free | Model: Rate-limited public endpoint

The official Sonic Labs endpoint is suitable for testing but not production use.

Features:

• Direct from network developers
• No signup required
• Rate limited
• Best-effort availability

Best For: Initial development and testing only.

Pricing Model Breakdown: Simple vs. Compute Units

Understanding pricing models is crucial for budgeting your infrastructure costs.

Simple Pricing (Dwellir)

How it works: 1 request = 1 unit, regardless of method complexity

Advantages:

• ✅ Predictable costs
• ✅ Easy to calculate
• ✅ No surprise bills
• ✅ Simple budgeting

Example: 100M requests = 100M credits at any tier

Compute Unit Pricing (Alchemy, QuickNode, Ankr, NodeReal, GetBlock)

How it works: Each method has a multiplier (1-500x) based on computational resources consumed

Method Examples:

Disadvantages:

Example: 100M requests could cost 1B-10B+ CU depending on method mix

Real Cost Comparison: 100M Monthly Requests

Typical production mix (80% standard, 15% archive, 5% trace/debug):

Key Takeaway: Simple pricing saves 25-50% at scale by eliminating trace/debug method premiums.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Performance Requirements

For High-Frequency Trading/DEXs:

• Priority: Sub-100ms latency, WebSocket support
• Best Options: QuickNode, Dwellir, Alchemy

For NFT Platforms:

• Priority: Archive data, token APIs, high throughput
• Best Options: Alchemy, NodeReal, Chainstack

For Dashboards/Analytics:

• Priority: Archive access, trace methods, reliability
• Best Options: Dwellir, Alchemy, GetBlock

2. Budget Considerations

Bootstrapped Startups:

• Use free tiers during development
• Consider: GetBlock ($39), Dwellir ($49)

Growing Projects (1M+ users):

• Need predictable costs and scaling
• Consider: Dwellir ($299-999), Ankr ($399)

Enterprise Applications:

• Require SLAs and dedicated support
• Consider: Alchemy (custom), NodeReal (enterprise), Chainstack (dedicated)

3. Multi-Chain Strategy

Building on Multiple Networks?

• Best: Dwellir (150+ chains, one key)
• Good: Ankr (50+ chains), Alchemy (20+ chains)
• Limited: Sonic-specific providers

4. Geographic Distribution

Global User Base:

• QuickNode (30+ regions)
• Alchemy (global CDN)
• Dwellir (auto-routing)

Regional Focus:

• Most providers work well for single regions

Feature Comparison Matrix

Migration Guide: Switching Providers

Step 1: Evaluate Current Usage

Analyze your RPC usage patterns:

# Check request volume
grep "rpc_call" logs/*.log | wc -l

# Identify method distribution
grep "rpc_call" logs/*.log | cut -d'"' -f4 | sort | uniq -c

Step 2: Calculate Projected Costs

Use provider calculators:

• Estimate monthly request volume
• Factor in method mix (standard vs. trace/debug)
• Add 20% buffer for growth
• Compare total costs across providers

Step 3: Test New Provider

Run parallel for 1-2 weeks:

// Ethers.js example with fallback
const providers = [
  new ethers.JsonRpcProvider('https://new-provider.com/key'),
  new ethers.JsonRpcProvider('https://old-provider.com/key')
];

const provider = new ethers.FallbackProvider(providers);

Step 4: Monitor and Switch

• Track latency metrics
• Monitor error rates
• Verify all methods work correctly
• Gradually shift traffic
• Cancel old provider after stabilization

Most migrations complete in under 30 minutes of actual work.

Cost Optimization Strategies

1. Cache Frequently Accessed Data

Implement Redis/Memcached for:

• Block data (cache for 12 seconds on Sonic)
• Token metadata
• Contract ABIs
• Historical data

Savings: 30-50% reduction in RPC calls

2. Batch Requests

Use eth_call batching instead of individual calls:

// Instead of 100 individual calls
const results = await Promise.all(
  addresses.map(addr => contract.balanceOf(addr))
);

// Use multicall
const results = await multicall.aggregate(calls);

Savings: 70-90% fewer RPC calls

3. Use WebSockets for Real-Time Data

Subscribe instead of polling:

provider.on('block', (blockNumber) => {
  // React to new blocks
});

Savings: 95%+ reduction for live data

4. Archive Data Strategy

• Use archive nodes only when necessary
• Query recent data from standard nodes
• Cache historical queries aggressively

Savings: 40-60% on archive-heavy workloads

5. Choose the Right Tier

Don't over-provision:

• Start with lower tiers
• Upgrade based on actual usage
• Set up alerts for limits
• Use burst allowances strategically

Savings: $100-500/month on right-sizing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between public and private RPC endpoints?

Public endpoints are free but rate-limited and shared with other users. Suitable for development only.

Private endpoints provide dedicated resources, higher limits, better performance, and SLAs. Required for production applications.

Can I use multiple providers simultaneously?

Yes! Using multiple providers increases reliability. Most applications implement fallback providers:

• Primary: Fastest/cheapest provider
• Secondary: Backup for failover
• Third: Emergency fallback

Do I need archive nodes?

Archive nodes store complete historical state. You need them if querying:

• Historical balances at specific blocks
• Past contract states
• Events from old blocks
• Trace/debug methods on historical data

Standard nodes only keep recent state (last 128-256 blocks).

How do compute units work?

Compute units (CU) are abstract pricing metrics where simple methods cost fewer units than complex ones:

Calculation: Your bill = (total CU used) × (price per CU)

Which provider is cheapest?

Depends on your usage:

• Light usage (<10M/mo): Free tiers sufficient
• Medium usage (10-100M/mo): Dwellir ($49-299)
• Heavy usage (100M-1B/mo): Dwellir ($299-999)
• Trace-heavy workload: Dwellir (no premiums)

Can I switch providers easily?

Yes! RPC providers use standardized JSON-RPC interfaces. Switching typically requires only updating your endpoint URL—no code changes needed.

What happens if my provider goes down?

With a single provider, your application goes down too. Best practices:

1. Use provider with strong SLA (99.9%+)
2. Implement fallback provider
3. Monitor availability
4. Have migration plan ready

Do I need testnet access?

Yes, for development. Most providers include testnet access:

• Free on most platforms
• Essential for testing before mainnet
• Identical API to mainnet
• No cost implications

Advanced Features Comparison

WebSocket Subscriptions

All major providers support WebSocket subscriptions for real-time updates:

Standard subscriptions:

Enhanced subscriptions (Alchemy):

Debug and Trace Methods

Critical for developers debugging transactions and smart contracts:

Common methods:

Archive Data Access

Archive nodes maintain complete historical blockchain state:

Use cases:

• Historical balance queries
• Time-travel queries to past blocks
• Historical event filtering
• Tax and accounting tools

Provider limits:

• Full archive: Alchemy, QuickNode, Dwellir, Chainstack
• Limited archive: Some providers limit depth (e.g., last 6 months)
• No archive: Free/public tiers typically exclude archive data

Performance Benchmarks

Based on independent testing of Sonic RPC providers (October 2025):

Latency (Average Response Time)

Lower is better. Tested using eth_blockNumber from different regions.

Throughput (Requests Per Second)

Uptime (Last 90 Days)

Enterprise Considerations

Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Dwellir: 99.99% uptime guarantee

• Response credits for downtime
• Proactive monitoring
• Incident reports

Alchemy: 99.9% for enterprise plans

• Financial penalties for breaches
• Dedicated support
• Custom SLAs available

QuickNode: 99.95% for business tier

• Uptime credits
• Priority support
• Multi-region redundancy

Support Options

Compliance and Security

Data Privacy:

• Dwellir: Dedicated servers (not public cloud)
• Alchemy: SOC 2 Type II certified
• QuickNode: GDPR compliant
• Chainstack: ISO 27001

API Security:

• All providers: API key authentication
• Enterprise: IP whitelisting, JWT tokens
• Advanced: Rate limiting, DDoS protection

Choosing the Right Provider: Decision Framework

For Startups

Priority: Low cost + easy scaling

Best Options:

1. Dwellir - Predictable pricing, simple scaling
2. GetBlock - Good free tier
3. Chainstack - Managed infrastructure

Recommendation: Start with free tier, upgrade to Dwellir Developer ($49) at 500K+ daily requests.

For Medium-Sized Projects

Priority: Reliability + reasonable costs + features

Best Options:

1. Dwellir - Best price/performance ratio
2. Ankr - Strong multi-chain support
3. Chainstack - Managed infrastructure

Recommendation: Dwellir Growth ($299) for predictable costs, Ankr Premium ($399) if multi-chain.

For Enterprises

Priority: SLA + support + custom features

Best Options:

1. Alchemy - Most comprehensive features
2. QuickNode - Best global performance
3. NodeReal - Custom enterprise solutions
4. Dwellir - Cost-effective with 99.99% SLA

Recommendation: Evaluate based on specific needs. Alchemy for feature-rich platform, Dwellir for cost optimization with same reliability.

For Specific Use Cases

DeFi Applications:

• Need: Low latency, high reliability, WebSockets
• Best: QuickNode, Dwellir, Alchemy

NFT Marketplaces:

• Need: NFT APIs, metadata, token indexing
• Best: Alchemy, QuickNode (with add-ons)

Analytics Platforms:

• Need: Archive data, trace methods, debug APIs
• Best: Dwellir (no premiums), Alchemy, Chainstack

Gaming Applications:

• Need: High throughput, burst capacity, low latency
• Best: Alchemy, QuickNode, Dwellir

Multi-Chain dApps:

• Need: One API key, consistent interface
• Best: Dwellir (150+ chains), Ankr (50+ chains)

Future Trends in RPC Infrastructure

1. Pricing Simplification

The industry is moving toward transparent pricing models. Compute unit complexity is being replaced by simpler request-based pricing (as pioneered by providers like Dwellir).

Expected: More providers will adopt 1:1 pricing by 2026.

2. Edge Computing

Providers are deploying more edge nodes globally to reduce latency below 30ms worldwide.

Impact: Better UX for global applications, more competitive latency.

3. Enhanced Analytics

Built-in dashboards will provide deeper insights:

• Cost optimization recommendations
• Performance bottleneck identification
• Usage pattern analysis
• Anomaly detection

4. Decentralization

More providers are adopting hybrid models combining:

• Centralized infrastructure for performance
• Decentralized networks for redundancy
• Automatic failover between providers

5. Specialized Services

Expect growth in:

• MEV-protection RPC endpoints
• Privacy-focused providers
• Specialized gaming infrastructure
• Instant settlement RPCs

Conclusion: Best Sonic RPC Provider in 2025

The best provider depends on your priorities:

Best Overall Value: Dwellir

Winner for: Predictable costs, multi-chain apps, trace/debug usage

• Simplest pricing model eliminates surprises
• 40-67% cheaper at scale than competitors
• No compute unit complexity
• 99.99% uptime SLA
• 150+ blockchains with one API key

Best for Features: Alchemy

Winner for: NFT projects, comprehensive tooling, webhooks

• Most extensive Web3 development platform
• Rich NFT and token APIs
• Advanced analytics and monitoring
• Enterprise-grade support

Best for Performance: QuickNode

Winner for: Global applications, low latency requirements

• Fastest global network (30+ regions)
• Excellent burst handling
• Reliable performance
• GraphQL support

Best for Multi-Chain: Dwellir or Ankr

Winner for: Building across multiple networks

• Single API key for all chains
• Consistent pricing across networks
• Simplified management

Final Recommendations

If you're just starting: Use free tiers (Alchemy 300M CU, Ankr 500M CU) for development, then evaluate based on actual usage patterns.

If you're scaling: Dwellir offers the best price-performance ratio for most production applications. The simple 1:1 pricing eliminates billing surprises common with compute unit models.

If you need specific features: Evaluate Alchemy (comprehensive Web3 tools), QuickNode (global performance), or Chainstack (managed infrastructure) based on your requirements.

If you're multi-chain: Dwellir's 150+ network support with one API key provides the best developer experience and cost efficiency.

Get Started

Test Before Committing

1. Sign up for free tiers at 2-3 providers
2. Run parallel testing for 1-2 weeks
3. Monitor latency, reliability, and costs
4. Choose based on actual performance

Migration Support

Most providers offer free migration assistance:

• Dwellir: sales@dwellir.com
• Alchemy: Enterprise sales team
• QuickNode: Migration specialists
• Chainstack: Technical onboarding

Calculate Your Costs

Estimate your monthly bill:

1. Current or projected request volume
2. Method distribution (standard vs. trace/debug)
3. Growth factor (20-50% buffer)
4. Compare across providers using their calculators

The right RPC provider becomes invisible when it works well—reliable, fast, and affordable. Choose wisely and your infrastructure becomes your competitive advantage.

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Additional Resources

• Dwellir Official Website
• Alchemy Dashboard
• QuickNode Platform
• Sonic Blockchain Documentation
• Ethereum RPC Specification

Last updated: January 2025. Pricing and features subject to change.