How to choose a Starknet RPC provider for your dApp

What is a Starknet RPC provider?

An RPC provider acts as a gateway between your dApp and the Starknet blockchain. It exposes a JSON-RPC API that allows you to send transactions, query state, and interact with smart contracts without running your own full node. Providers host and maintain Starknet nodes, offering endpoints that developers can use via standard HTTP or WebSocket connections.

Starknet uses a custom RPC specification (starknet_spec) that differs from Ethereum's JSON-RPC. Therefore, you need a provider that explicitly supports Starknet's API methods, such as starknet_call, starknet_getBlockWithTxHashes, and starknet_estimateFee.

Key criteria for selecting a Starknet RPC provider

When evaluating Starknet RPC providers, consider the following factors to ensure your dApp runs smoothly.

• Latency: Low latency is crucial for real-time applications like trading or gaming. Look for providers with globally distributed nodes.
• Uptime: Production dApps require high availability. Aim for providers with at least 99.9% uptime SLAs.
• Archive data: If your dApp needs historical state or transaction data, choose a provider that offers archive node access.
• Rate limits: Shared endpoints often have request limits. For high-throughput apps, consider dedicated nodes or higher-tier plans.
• Pricing: Compare free tiers, pay-as-you-go, and flat-rate plans. Some providers charge per request, others per second.
• Network coverage: Ensure the provider supports both Starknet mainnet and testnet (Sepolia) for development and testing.
• Security: Providers should offer encrypted connections (HTTPS/WSS) and protect against DDoS attacks.

Shared vs dedicated Starknet nodes

Most RPC providers offer two types of access: shared (public or pooled) endpoints and dedicated (private) nodes. Understanding the trade-offs helps you choose the right option.

How to evaluate a Starknet RPC provider's performance

Before committing to a provider, run benchmarks to verify performance. Here are practical steps:

• Measure latency: Use curl or a script to send a simple starknet_blockNumber request from different geographic locations.
• Test throughput: Send multiple concurrent requests and observe response times and error rates.
• Check archive support: Query historical blocks (e.g., block 1000) to confirm archive data availability.
• Monitor uptime: Use a monitoring service to track endpoint availability over a week.
• Evaluate WebSocket: For real-time feeds, test WSS connection stability and message delivery.

Starknet RPC provider comparison: popular options

Several providers offer Starknet RPC endpoints. Below is a non-exhaustive list of notable services. Always check the latest documentation for supported features and pricing.

• OnFinality: Provides scalable Starknet RPC endpoints and dedicated node options. Supports mainnet and testnet with global node distribution.
• dRPC: Offers a decentralized RPC network with a free tier and premium plans starting at $10/month.
• Chainstack: Provides managed Starknet nodes with geo-balancing and archive support.
• Infura: Supports Starknet API services for enterprise use.
• Alchemy: Lists Starknet RPC providers in its Dapp Store, including itself and partners.
• 1RPC: Offers a privacy-focused Starknet endpoint with zero-tracking.

Getting started with Starknet RPC on OnFinality

OnFinality offers a straightforward way to connect to Starknet. You can obtain a free API key and start making requests in minutes. For high-traffic applications, dedicated nodes provide guaranteed resources and full control over node configuration.

• Sign up for an OnFinality account.
• Navigate to the Starknet network page and generate an API key.
• Use the provided HTTPS or WSS endpoint in your dApp.
• Monitor usage via the dashboard and upgrade to a dedicated node if needed.

Common pitfalls when choosing a Starknet RPC provider

Avoid these mistakes to ensure a smooth development experience.

• Ignoring rate limits: Free tiers may be insufficient for production. Always check the fine print.
• Overlooking archive needs: If your app queries historical data, ensure archive nodes are available.
• Not testing geographically: Latency varies by region. Choose a provider with nodes near your users.
• Skipping WebSocket support: For real-time updates, confirm WSS is supported and stable.
• Forgetting testnet: Use Sepolia testnet for development to avoid mainnet costs.

Frequently Asked Questions