Subsquid vs The Graph
The Graph is an indexing protocol and framework for EVM chains. In The Graph, indexing projects are called subgraphs. A Graph indexing node is a black-box that executes subgraphs compiled into WASM. The data is sourced directly from an archival blockchain node, and the processed data is stored in a built-in Postgres database.
On the contrary, Subsquid employs a radically open modular architecture with:
- a separated layer for efficient data extraction and batch queries (Subsquid Network)
- a client-side libraries for data transformation and presentation.
The data transformation and presentation is enabled by a growing list of tools and SDKs that consume the raw data from Subsquid Network:
- Typescript based Squid SDK offers pluggable data targets for both online and offline use-cases
- Python-based DipDup SDK
- Subgraphs (via Subsquid Firehose adapter)
- ApeWorx (via ape-subsquid plugin)
Feature matrix
| Subsquid Network + Squid SDK | The Graph | |
|---|---|---|
| Programming language | Typescript | AssemblyScript (compiled to WASM) |
| Indexing speed | ~1k-50k bps | ~100-150 bps |
| ABI-based generator | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time indexing (unfinalized blocks) | Yes | No |
| Off-chain data | Yes | No |
| Data targets | Customizable | Postgres-only |
| Customizable DB migrations | Yes | No |
| Factory contract indexing | Yes, via wildcards | Yes |
| Multi-contract indexing | Yes | Limited |
| Analytic data targets | BigQuery, Parquet, CSV | No |
| Local setup | Easy | Requires an archival node |
| GraphQL API | Generated from schema.graphql | Generated from schema.graphql |
| Custom resolvers and mutations | Yes | No |
| Subscriptions | Yes | Via middleware |
| Hosted service | Yes | Yes (to be sunset) |
| Secret env variables | Yes | No |
| Payment | Fiat, subscription-based | GRT, pay-per-query |
| Decentralization | Decentralized data sourcing via Subsquid Network, with opt-in decentralized data targets (Kwil DB, Ceramic) and processing (via Lava, in development) | The Graph network |
Architecture difference
By design, The Graph indexing node is a black-box that executes subgraphs compiled into WASM. The data is sourced directly from the archival node and local IPFS, and the processed data is stored in a built-in Postgres database. The data stored in the database is considered to be "sealed", so that no external process can modify or read the data except through the GraphQL interface.