NOWNodes is a strong shortlist candidate for teams seeking broad multi-chain access with shared endpoints, dedicated nodes, archive access and explorer APIs through one provider. GetBlock is well suited to buyers comparing shared and dedicated access across a broad network catalog with multiple interfaces. dRPC is differentiated by distributed provider routing and its provider-agnostic NodeCore and NodeCloud architecture. The right choice depends on whether the priority is packaged node access, deployment control or routing resilience.
Short Answer
NOWNodes, GetBlock and dRPC all provide access to blockchain networks, but their clearest procurement stories are different.
NOWNodes packages shared RPC access, dedicated nodes, archive data, WebSockets and block-explorer APIs across a broad network catalog. GetBlock also spans shared and dedicated nodes and publishes interface availability by chain. dRPC emphasizes distributed routing across independent providers and public nodes, with NodeCloud as a managed service and NodeCore as a self-hosted routing layer.
For production selection, chain count is only the first filter. The decisive evidence is method coverage, data correctness, latency by region, WebSocket behavior, failover, limits, observability and support on the buyer's actual workload.
Comparison at a Glance
| Decision area | NOWNodes | GetBlock | dRPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearest orientation | Packaged multi-chain shared and dedicated node access | Broad shared and dedicated node catalog with interface choice | Distributed provider routing and provider-agnostic RPC delivery |
| Relevant products | Shared endpoints, dedicated nodes, archive nodes, WebSockets, explorers | Shared nodes, dedicated nodes and archive access | Managed NodeCloud and self-hosted NodeCore |
| Strong evaluation scenario | One account for many production networks plus dedicated options | Teams comparing chain-by-chain interfaces and deployment options | Teams prioritizing routing resilience or control over multiple providers |
| Main diligence risk | Assuming every method and archive mode exists on every chain | Treating catalog breadth as proof of performance for a specific chain | Underestimating the operations required for a provider-agnostic routing model |
Published network counts and packaging change. Confirm the required network, region, interface and method in the current proposal rather than buying from a headline number.
NOWNodes
NOWNodes publishes access to more than 120 blockchain networks from one account, with shared and dedicated products. Its service catalog includes RPC endpoints, archive nodes, WebSockets and block-explorer APIs. Dedicated nodes are positioned as isolated infrastructure for one network, while dedicated clusters and regional choices address higher-throughput or resilience requirements.
Strong fit: Applications that need a broad long-tail chain catalog, a straightforward managed endpoint model and the option to move important workloads to dedicated infrastructure.
Verify: Exact methods by network, archive history, geographic deployment, throughput and concurrency limits, WebSocket connection rules, SLA scope, incident escalation, data-retention policy and the migration path between shared and dedicated plans.
GetBlock
GetBlock publishes a broad node catalog and identifies whether shared, dedicated and archive access is available for individual networks. Its listings also show interfaces such as JSON-RPC, WebSocket, REST, GraphQL or gRPC where supported. This makes it practical for teams that want to filter first by network and interface, then test a managed endpoint.
Strong fit: Multi-chain products that need several protocol interfaces or want both shared and dedicated options from one commercial relationship.
Verify: The production region for each chain, dedicated-node topology, archive coverage, rate-limit units, supported trace and debug methods, node-client versions, failover, response caching and whether support commitments differ by plan.
dRPC
dRPC describes a distributed architecture that routes requests among independent providers and public nodes. Its managed NodeCloud product covers multi-chain RPC delivery, while NodeCore is positioned as a self-hosted, provider-agnostic load-balancing layer. This is a different buying proposition from a conventional single-provider endpoint.
Strong fit: Teams that want distributed routing, have provider-diversity requirements or need more control over how requests are balanced across infrastructure sources.
Verify: Provider selection logic, regional routing, health checks, response validation, supported methods, billing attribution, customer controls, observability, provider concentration on each target chain and the operational responsibility created by self-hosting NodeCore.
Architecture Questions Before the Demo
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which chains and methods are business-critical? | A provider can support a chain without supporting every method or data mode. |
| Are reads, writes and subscriptions separated? | Transaction submission, historical queries and WebSockets fail differently. |
| How is a stale or incorrect node removed? | Availability without data correctness can damage balances, pricing or settlement. |
| Is provider diversity required? | A second endpoint may still share infrastructure, region or upstream dependencies. |
| Who owns retries and idempotency? | Blind retries can duplicate submissions or conceal partial failures. |
| What evidence is available during incidents? | Request IDs, node versions, routing decisions and status history shorten diagnosis. |
Production Test Plan
Run a representative load test for at least one quiet period and one network-congestion period.
- Replay the application's top methods at expected and peak concurrency.
- Separate latest-state, historical, archive, trace and transaction-submission results.
- Measure p50, p95 and p99 latency as well as successful-request rate.
- Compare returned block heights and selected state values against a reference node.
- Hold WebSocket subscriptions open and record gaps, duplicates and reconnect behavior.
- Trigger rate limits and endpoint failover deliberately.
- Simulate a chain reorganization and inspect confirmation logic.
- Open a support incident and measure the evidence and response provided.
Procurement Recommendation
Put NOWNodes high on the shortlist when broad network access, archive and dedicated options need to be purchased as a managed service. Put GetBlock high on the shortlist when chain-by-chain interface selection and a mix of shared and dedicated nodes are central. Put dRPC high on the shortlist when distributed routing or provider-agnostic control is the architectural priority.
Do not award the contract from a generic benchmark. Score the exact regions, methods and workloads that can interrupt the product. Compare more node-as-a-service and RPC providers and map the wider blockchain infrastructure stack before final selection.
Primary Sources
- NOWNodes dedicated-node overview
- GetBlock blockchain node catalog
- dRPC architecture overview
- dRPC NodeCloud and NodeCore update
This comparison is independent procurement research. Product capabilities, service levels, network coverage and pricing should be confirmed directly with each provider.
FAQ
Which is better: NOWNodes, GetBlock or dRPC?
NOWNodes is compelling for packaged multi-chain shared and dedicated access, GetBlock for broad chain and interface choice, and dRPC for distributed routing and provider-agnostic infrastructure. Test the required chains and methods under realistic load.
Do all three providers offer dedicated infrastructure?
NOWNodes and GetBlock publish dedicated-node products. dRPC offers NodeCloud and the self-hosted NodeCore routing layer; buyers should confirm the exact isolation and provider model in a written proposal.
Is the number of supported chains enough to choose an RPC provider?
No. Verify method coverage, archive depth, WebSockets, debug and trace methods, regional routing, rate limits, failover behavior and support for each production chain.
Which provider is best for archive data?
NOWNodes and GetBlock both publish archive access, but availability varies by network and plan. Test the exact block range, method and latency required.
What should an RPC proof of concept measure?
Measure successful request rate, p50 and p95 latency, stale responses, reorganization handling, WebSocket continuity, rate limiting, failover time and support response.
Can a team use more than one RPC provider?
Yes. Multi-provider routing can reduce concentration risk, but it adds normalization, observability, billing and incident-management work.
Does dedicated always mean better?
No. Dedicated infrastructure can improve isolation and control, while shared or distributed endpoints may provide simpler multi-chain access and built-in routing. Match the model to the workload.
Where can buyers compare more RPC vendors?
FluidRWA maintains a directory of node-as-a-service and RPC providers with provider profiles and procurement guidance.
Compare the RPC operating model, not only the chain count
Review node providers around workloads, regions, methods, archive depth, failover and support requirements.