Ethereum RPC node providers let apps communicate with the Ethereum network without running their own full node. A wallet, DeFi dashboard, NFT tool, smart contract script or trading bot can use an RPC endpoint to read balances, fetch logs, estimate gas, query blocks or broadcast signed transactions.
Running your own Ethereum node is still the most sovereign option, but it is not always practical for developers who need to build quickly. That is why free Ethereum RPC providers matter: they make it possible to test an app, launch a prototype or support light production traffic before paying for dedicated infrastructure.
The best free Ethereum RPC provider depends on what you are building. Some providers are better for dashboards. Some are better for backend apps. Some offer stronger WebSocket support. Some provide public endpoints that are useful for fallback traffic but not ideal for mission-critical workloads.
This guide ranks the top five free Ethereum RPC node providers to consider in 2026.
Quick Answer: What Is the Best Free Ethereum RPC Provider?
The best free Ethereum RPC node provider for most developers is Alchemy because its free tier includes a practical monthly compute allowance, Node API access, Smart WebSockets, archive data support and a strong developer dashboard. Infura is another excellent choice, especially for teams that want a well-known Ethereum infrastructure provider with a daily free credit quota.
If you want the cleanest no-trial free plan, Chainstack is a strong pick. If you want generous public or freemium access, compare Ankr and dRPC.
Top 5 Free Ethereum RPC Node Providers
| Rank | Provider | Best For | Free Tier Snapshot | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemy | Best overall free Ethereum RPC | 30M base compute units, 5 apps, Node API, archive data, Smart WebSockets | Debug and Trace API are not included on the free tier |
| 2 | Infura | Best established Ethereum RPC provider | Core free plan with 3M daily credits and 500 credits/second guaranteed throughput | Free plan has one API key and no Debug/Trace API |
| 3 | Chainstack | Best no-trial developer plan | Developer plan at $0 with 3M monthly requests, 25 RPS, 1 node and WebSockets | Lower included monthly request volume than some credit-based competitors |
| 4 | Ankr | Best generous freemium/public RPC option | Freemium includes 200M API credits monthly under public rate limits | Free/freemium access has public-rate-limit constraints and HTTPS-only connection |
| 5 | dRPC | Best free public-node fallback | 210M compute units per 30 days over public nodes | Public nodes can be slower or less reliable than paid private providers |
1. Alchemy
Alchemy is the best overall free Ethereum RPC provider for most Web3 developers. Its free tier is useful for prototypes, dashboards, test apps and small live projects because it combines Ethereum RPC access with a polished dashboard and developer tools.
Alchemy’s pricing documentation lists 30 million base compute units on the free tier, 5 apps, Node API access, full archive data, Smart WebSockets, analytics and email support. That combination is especially helpful if you want more than a raw endpoint.
Why Alchemy Is a Strong Free Ethereum RPC Choice
- Good developer dashboard
- Smart WebSocket support
- Full archive data listed on the free tier
- Node API access included
- Useful extras such as NFT, Transfers and Token APIs
Alchemy Limitations
Alchemy’s free tier does not include Debug API or Trace API access. If your app needs heavy tracing, transaction debugging or advanced historical analysis, you may need a paid tier or a specialist setup.
Best For
Alchemy is best for developers building wallets, dashboards, NFT tools, DeFi frontends, analytics prototypes and small Ethereum apps that need a polished free starting point.
2. Infura
Infura is one of the most established Ethereum RPC providers in the Web3 ecosystem. It is closely associated with Consensys and MetaMask, and it remains one of the default names developers think of when they need Ethereum API access.
Infura’s pricing page lists a Core Free plan with access to 40+ supported networks, a 3 million daily credit quota, 500 credits/second guaranteed throughput, 1 API key and community support. Infura’s Ethereum product page also highlights HTTPS and WebSocket access for the Ethereum network.
Why Infura Is a Strong Free Ethereum RPC Choice
- Long-running Ethereum infrastructure brand
- Daily free credit quota rather than only a monthly pool
- Ethereum access over HTTPS and WebSockets
- Good dashboard and usage visibility
- Strong ecosystem fit for MetaMask and Consensys users
Infura Limitations
Infura’s free Core plan has one API key and does not include Debug/Trace API access. Teams that need multiple keys, ticketed support or heavier throughput will usually need a paid plan.
Best For
Infura is best for Ethereum developers who want a trusted RPC provider with a meaningful daily free quota, strong documentation and a familiar infrastructure brand.
3. Chainstack
Chainstack is one of the cleanest free Ethereum RPC options because its Developer plan is not described as a short trial. The pricing page lists a Developer plan at $0/month with 3 million requests included, 25 requests per second, 1 node, WebSockets, community support and no credit card required.
This makes Chainstack a strong choice for builders who want a predictable free plan instead of a trial that expires quickly.
Why Chainstack Is a Strong Free Ethereum RPC Choice
- $0 Developer plan
- 3 million monthly requests included
- 25 requests per second
- WebSockets support
- No credit card required
- Clear upgrade path to Growth, Pro and Business plans
Chainstack Limitations
Chainstack’s included request volume is lower than the headline allowances on some credit-based platforms. It is excellent for testing, prototypes and lower-traffic apps, but high-volume production usage will need a paid plan.
Best For
Chainstack is best for developers who want a stable free plan with WebSockets, clear request limits and no time-limited trial framing.
4. Ankr
Ankr is a strong free Ethereum RPC option for developers who want generous freemium access and broad multichain infrastructure. Its documentation says freemium accounts receive 200 million API credits monthly under public rate limits, with credits renewing monthly and no overdraft.
Ankr supports standard Node API access and is useful for teams that want an RPC provider with a public/freemium model before upgrading to premium throughput.
Why Ankr Is a Strong Free Ethereum RPC Choice
- 200M API credits monthly on freemium
- Public endpoint access
- Standard Node API support
- Broad multichain footprint
- Premium upgrade path for higher throughput and private features
Ankr Limitations
Ankr’s free/freemium model comes with public rate limits. Its service plan comparison also lists HTTPS-only connection for Public and Freemium, while Premium adds HTTPS and WebSocket support. Developers who need private endpoints, higher priority or WSS access should review the paid plans.
Best For
Ankr is best for developers who want a generous free monthly credit pool and can work within public-rate-limit constraints.
5. dRPC
dRPC is a useful free Ethereum RPC option because it provides a large free compute-unit allowance over public nodes. Its documentation says the free tier includes 210 million compute units per 30-day period and runs only over public nodes.
The important detail is that dRPC’s free tier is not the same as a private paid endpoint. Public nodes can be slower or less reliable, but dRPC load-balances across multiple public nodes, which can be better than relying on one public RPC URL.
Why dRPC Is a Strong Free Ethereum RPC Choice
- 210M compute units per 30 days
- Load balancing over multiple public nodes
- Useful as a free backup provider
- Ethereum JSON-RPC documentation is available
- Paid tier exists for stronger features
dRPC Limitations
dRPC clearly states that the free tier uses public nodes, which can be less reliable and slower. Paid features such as access to all providers, fallback and verification are not available on the free tier.
Best For
dRPC is best for developers who want a free fallback RPC option, public-node routing or extra redundancy during testing.
Honorable Mentions
QuickNode
QuickNode is a high-quality RPC provider, but its pricing page currently lists the free option as a one-month free trial with 10 million API credits and 15 requests per second. That can be useful for short-term testing, but it is less ideal for an article focused on ongoing free Ethereum RPC access.
PublicNode
PublicNode is useful when you need a quick public Ethereum endpoint without creating an account. The trade-off is that public endpoints usually provide less control, fewer guarantees and weaker analytics than account-based RPC providers.
GetBlock
GetBlock can be useful for lightweight RPC testing, but its free limits are typically better suited to small experiments than sustained app traffic.
Tenderly
Tenderly is excellent for Ethereum debugging, simulations and developer workflows. It belongs on the shortlist if your priority is transaction simulation and testing rather than generic RPC traffic.
How to Choose a Free Ethereum RPC Provider
1. Check Whether the Free Plan Is Ongoing
Some providers offer a real free tier. Others offer a free trial. Both can be useful, but they are not the same. For long-term prototypes, choose an ongoing free plan or a public/freemium endpoint.
2. Compare Requests, Credits and Compute Units Carefully
RPC providers do not all count usage the same way. One provider may measure requests. Another may use credits or compute units. A simple eth_blockNumber call and a heavy eth_getLogs query may not cost the same.
3. Look for WebSocket Support
If your app needs live updates, subscriptions or event streaming, check whether WebSockets are included on the free tier. Not every free plan includes WSS access.
4. Understand Archive, Trace and Debug Needs
Basic apps can often work with standard Ethereum JSON-RPC calls. More advanced analytics apps may need archive data, trace APIs or debug methods. These are often limited or paid.
5. Do Not Use One Free Endpoint as Your Only Production Dependency
Free RPC endpoints are excellent for building and testing. For production apps, use retries, monitoring and multiple providers. If a wallet, dashboard or bot depends on Ethereum RPC uptime, treat RPC as critical infrastructure.
Free Ethereum RPC Providers Compared
| Provider | Free Allowance | WebSockets | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alchemy | 30M base compute units | Yes, Smart WebSockets | Best all-around free Ethereum RPC |
| Infura | 3M daily credits | Yes | Established Ethereum infrastructure |
| Chainstack | 3M monthly requests | Yes | No-trial free developer plan |
| Ankr | 200M monthly API credits on freemium | Paid plan for WSS | Generous public/freemium RPC |
| dRPC | 210M CU per 30 days | Check current endpoint support | Free public-node fallback |
Final Verdict
The best free Ethereum RPC node provider for most developers is Alchemy because it combines a practical free allowance with strong tooling, Smart WebSockets, archive data and a clean developer experience. Infura is the strongest alternative for developers who want a long-running Ethereum infrastructure provider with a daily free quota.
Chainstack is the best choice if you want a no-trial free plan with clear request limits. Ankr is strong for generous freemium usage, while dRPC is useful as a free public-node fallback.
If you are building a serious production app, do not choose only one free RPC endpoint. Start free, measure usage, then add redundancy or upgrade when the app becomes important.
For Solana infrastructure research, read the related Coinsaga guide: Best Free Solana RPC Node Providers.
