Node API Overview
Use the Node API for low-level access to Alchemy-supported blockchains
Intro
The Node API is our implementation of the standard JSON-RPC API defined by Ethereum. It also supports reading and writing data for non-EVM chains like Solana and Bitcoin.
Use the Node API if you want to access the standard low-level interface for reading and writing to the blockchain of your choosing. For specific use cases and higher levels of abstraction, Alchemy also offers:
- indexed speciality endpoints (ie. NFTs, Tokens, Transfers), use our Data API.
- account abstraction and smart wallet flows, use our Wallet API.
Components of Node API
- Chain APIs: read/write interface for all blockchains supported by Alchemy.
- Websockets: otherwise known as our Subscription API, for subscribing to pending transactions, log events, new blocks and more.
- Trace API: for insights into transactions processing and onchain activity.
- Debug API: access to non-standard RPC methods for inspecting and debugging transactions.
When Should I Use the Node API?
Use the Node API when your app needs direct, low-level access to blockchain data and functionality without relying on Alchemy’s smart wallet abstractions or indexed data services.
Writing to a Blockchain
Use the Node API if:
- Your users are sending transactions, and you’re not using Alchemy Smart Wallets.
- If You are using our wallets, check out the Wallet API, which supports:
sendUserOp
estimateUserOpGas
- and more account abstraction features
- If You are using our wallets, check out the Wallet API, which supports:
Examples of Node API write use cases
- Sending ETH and ERC-20 tokens to/from users
- Buying/selling NFTs in a marketplace
- Simulating and inspecting transactions
- Writing custom smart contract interactions
Key Node API endpoints
eth_sendRawTransaction
- Submits a raw transaction (serialized and signed) for broadcasting to the network.
Reading from a Blockchain
If your use case requires raw blockchain data, not indexed data like in our Data API, then the Node API is what you want:
Examples of Node API read use cases
- Reading token balances
- Polling logs and events
Key endpoints
eth_getBalance
- Returns the balance of the account of a given address.eth_getLogs
- Returns an array of all logs matching the specified filter.eth_estimateGas
- Generates and returns an estimate of how much gas is necessary to allow the transaction to complete.eth_call
- Executes a new message call immediately without creating a transaction on the blockchain.
Summary
The Node API is right for you if you are looking for a low-level way to:
- Send and/or simulate transactions
- Read raw blockchain state
- Build tools or apps close to node-level logic
Otherwise, consider the following APIs more optimized for higher-level abstractions:
- Data API: for fast, enriched, indexed queries (ie. historical token balances)
- Wallet API: for smart account flows (ie. account abstraction)