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About Infura
Infura is the original Ethereum node infrastructure provider, founded in 2016 as one of the first services to eliminate the need for developers to run their own blockchain nodes. Now a ConsenSys product, Infura powers MetaMask—the world's most popular Web3 wallet—and thousands of other dApps across the ecosystem.
The platform provides reliable RPC access to Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and other major chains. Beyond basic node access, Infura offers IPFS gateway services for decentralized storage, archive data access for historical blockchain queries, and enterprise-grade SLAs. With 99.9% uptime and global infrastructure, Infura processes billions of requests daily.
As part of ConsenSys, Infura integrates seamlessly with MetaMask and other ConsenSys products. The platform pioneered the blockchain-as-a-service model that most Web3 developers now take for granted. Their free tier supports indie developers while enterprise plans serve major protocols and institutions. Infura's infrastructure has been battle-tested through multiple bull markets and network upgrades, making it one of the most trusted providers in the space.
Key Features
Ethereum RPC
Original and most reliable Ethereum node access with archive data support
Multi-Chain Support
RPC access to Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and other major chains
IPFS Gateway
Decentralized storage access with reliable IPFS pinning and retrieval
Archive Data
Full historical blockchain data access for complex queries and analysis
High Availability
99.9% uptime SLA with global infrastructure and automatic failover
MetaMask Integration
Native integration with MetaMask and seamless ConsenSys ecosystem compatibility
Use Cases
dApp Backend
Power decentralized applications with reliable blockchain data access
Smart Contract Interaction
Read and write blockchain data for contract-based applications
IPFS Hosting
Store and retrieve decentralized content for NFTs and Web3 apps
Enterprise Infrastructure
Build production blockchain services with enterprise SLAs and support
Wallet Backends
Provide blockchain access for wallet applications and browser extensions
Project Info
Frequently Asked Questions
Infura is the original blockchain node infrastructure provider, founded in 2016 to eliminate the need for developers to run their own Ethereum nodes. Running nodes requires significant resources (storage, bandwidth, DevOps). Infura pioneered the blockchain-as-a-service model that made Web3 development accessible. It now powers MetaMask and thousands of dApps, processing billions of requests daily.
Both Infura and MetaMask are ConsenSys products. MetaMask uses Infura as its default RPC provider, meaning most MetaMask users connect to Ethereum through Infura's infrastructure. This integration provides MetaMask users with reliable node access without requiring them to run their own nodes. Developers can also use Infura directly for their dApps.
Infura supports Ethereum (mainnet and testnets), Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Palm, Filecoin, and other major chains. Each chain includes full RPC access, and Ethereum includes archive node capabilities for historical queries. They also provide IPFS gateway services for decentralized storage. Check their documentation for the complete list of supported networks.
Infura offers a free tier with 100,000 requests per day (3 million per month) and 10 requests per second. This is generous for indie projects and testing. Paid plans (Developer, Team, Growth, Enterprise) provide higher limits, dedicated support, and SLA guarantees. Many projects start free and upgrade as they scale.
Both provide reliable node infrastructure with similar core features. Infura pioneered the space (2016) and powers MetaMask, giving it broader user reach. Alchemy (2017) focuses more on developer experience with enhanced APIs, SDKs, and tools. Infura emphasizes stability and ConsenSys ecosystem integration. Both are trusted by major projects; choice often depends on specific features needed and existing tooling.