SQD vs Shyft
SQD vs Shyft: which Solana data layer should you build on?
225+ networks · Sub-second real-time · TypeScript end-to-end
Shyft is Solana-only: staked RPCs, Yellowstone-compatible gRPC plus RabbitStream shred streaming, and pre-indexed REST APIs for DeFi pools, NFTs, wallets, and parsed transactions, with a GraphQL SuperIndexer for custom programs. SQD is multi-chain read-side infrastructure: one Portal endpoint streams decoded data across 225+ networks including Solana, with an open-source TypeScript SDK for custom indexers. Choose Shyft if you are Solana-only and want turnkey RPC plus DeFi/NFT endpoints from one vendor; choose SQD if you need coverage beyond Solana, custom indexing logic, or a self-hostable, open data layer.
Pick SQD if
- → You index more than Solana now or expect to (EVM, Substrate, Bitcoin, Hyperliquid) and want one endpoint and SDK instead of per-chain vendors.
- → You need custom indexing logic and your own schema, not just pre-built endpoints or IDL-to-GraphQL generation.
- → You want an open-source, self-hostable data layer (Squid SDK and Portal node) rather than a closed hosted platform.
Pick Shyft if
- → You are strictly Solana-only and want turnkey REST endpoints for DeFi pools, NFTs, wallets, and parsed transactions without building an indexer.
- → You need the lowest-latency Solana transaction detection: RabbitStream reads raw shreds, which Shyft's own tests describe as roughly 15ms to 100ms ahead of standard Yellowstone gRPC, relevant to trading and MEV-style workloads.
- → You want staked RPCs, gRPC streaming, and indexed data APIs from a single Solana-focused vendor with managed webhook callbacks.
Two different layers
Where SQD and Shyft sit in your data stack
Shyft is a Solana-focused infrastructure provider. It bundles staked RPCs, Yellowstone-compatible gRPC and RabbitStream shred streaming, and a set of pre-indexed REST APIs for DeFi pools, NFTs, wallets, and parsed transactions, plus a SuperIndexer that turns a program IDL into a GraphQL API. SQD is multi-chain read-side data infrastructure: one Portal endpoint serves decoded historical and real-time data across 225+ networks including Solana, and the Squid SDK lets teams build custom indexers. For a team that is Solana-only and wants both fast RPC and turnkey DeFi/NFT endpoints from one vendor, Shyft is purpose-built; for teams that index beyond Solana or want an open, self-hostable data layer, SQD is broader.
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- Indexed data
- Our focus Read-side infrastructureSQD decentralized, validated, multi-chain at source
- Node providers
SQD optimizes for
- ✓Chain breadth: 225+ networks across EVM, Solana, Substrate, Bitcoin, and Hyperliquid
- ✓Real-time latency: sub-second from chain head to query response
- ✓TypeScript-native indexing with typed decoders, plus a streaming Portal API
- ✓Cryptographically validated data with 6-step verification at ingestion
- ✓OSI open source (Pipes SDK MIT, Portal node AGPL-3.0), self-hostable, free public Portal
Shyft optimizes for
- ✓Turnkey Solana REST APIs for DeFi pools, NFTs, wallets, and parsed transactions
- ✓Lowest-latency Solana detection via RabbitStream shred streaming
- ✓Staked RPCs and Yellowstone-compatible gRPC from one Solana specialist
- ✓A SuperIndexer that turns a program IDL into a GraphQL API with minimal code
At a glance
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | SQD | Shyft |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & Performance | ||
| Networks supported Shyft's product surface is entirely Solana-specific. | 225+ networks across EVM, Solana, Substrate, Bitcoin, and Hyperliquid | Solana only |
| Single endpoint across chains SQD: one Portal endpoint, one contract across all networks. Shyft is Solana-scoped. | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real-time streaming Different shapes: SQD streams decoded multi-chain data and also publishes Spray, an open-source Yellowstone gRPC proxy for Geyser-level Solana streaming; Shyft's RabbitStream reads raw shreds, a lower level that can surface transactions earlier. | Streaming HTTP, sub-second hot path (independent benchmark 27ms P50 / 48.5ms P90) | Yellowstone-compatible gRPC + RabbitStream shred streaming (Shyft tests claim ~15ms to 100ms ahead of standard Yellowstone gRPC) |
| Historical / backfill data SQD's Portal reports start_block 0 for solana-mainnet (full Solana history from genesis, verified). Shyft historical depth is per-product; deep history is SuperIndexer/indexed APIs, not raw gRPC. | Full historical archive across all networks via Portal, with Solana decoded from slot 0 (genesis) to a real-time head | SuperIndexer backfills program account history; gRPC replay up to 150 slots prior to head |
| Data model | ||
| Pre-indexed DeFi / NFT / wallet endpoints Shyft provides turnkey REST APIs for DeFi pools (Raydium AMM/CLMM/CPMM/Launchpad, Orca, Meteora AMM/DLMM, Pump Fun AMM, OpenBook V2, FluxBeam), NFTs, wallets, and parsed transactions. SQD provides raw decoded data; you build the higher-level shape. | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom indexing logic Shyft auto-generates GraphQL from an IDL; SQD lets you write arbitrary processing code. | Squid SDK (TypeScript): arbitrary transforms, store to GraphQL or any TypeORM-compatible DB | SuperIndexer maps a program IDL to a GraphQL API (account data); limited custom transform logic |
| Decoded data out of the box Both decode Solana data; Shyft also parses common DEX/program formats; SQD decodes across all supported chains. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero egress fees Both avoid per-GB egress on relevant plans; SQD Portal has no egress charge. | ✓ | Unlimited streaming with no bandwidth/overage on current flat plans |
| Architecture & openness | ||
| Open source Shyft open-sources ladybug-sdk and parsing examples and maintains a fork of upstream Yellowstone gRPC (AGPL-3.0). | Pipes SDK MIT, Portal node AGPL-3.0 | Client SDKs and examples only (MIT); core platform proprietary |
| Self-hostable SQD: Squid SDK + Portal node self-hostable, plus managed Cloud. Shyft is hosted SaaS only. | ✓ | ✗ |
| Decentralized network Shyft is centralized SaaS with multi-node failover. | Network of worker operators paid in SQD | ✗ |
| Data validation Different guarantees; Shyft validates shred reconstruction for streaming integrity. | 6-step cryptographic validation at ingestion | RabbitStream performs independent shred reconstruction and validation; no published cryptographic validation step |
| Developer experience | ||
| Primary interface Shyft is API-first; SQD is SDK + Portal-first. | TypeScript SDK + streaming Portal API; deploy via Squid CLI to Cloud, Docker, or self-host | REST (Swagger/Postman), gRPC, GraphQL, JSON-RPC; TypeScript SDK for client parsing |
| Callbacks / webhooks Shyft offers managed webhook callbacks; SQD does not provide a hosted webhook product. | Push downstream from your indexer (you build it) | Built-in Callbacks (parsed Solana webhooks) |
| Economics | ||
| Free tier SQD free Portal has no key requirement; Shyft free tier excludes gRPC and accelerated getProgramAccounts. | Free public Portal (no API key, no card) | Free plan $0/mo (10 RPC rps, 1 API rps; no gRPC) |
| Pricing model Neither is per-call metered on current plans; Shyft tiers by req/sec, SQD by network. | Predictable, network-based tiers (not per-call); final pricing not yet published | Flat monthly subscriptions ($199-$649) by rate limits; dedicated nodes from $1,800/mo |
| Token required for production Neither requires a token to use in production. | ✗ | ✗ |
Facts verified June 2026 against Shyft’s public docs and product pages. Every cell value is cited in the Sources section at the bottom of this page.
Decision framework
Choose based on your workload
When SQD is the better choice
- →Your application spans multiple chains or you may add non-Solana networks later.
- →You need to define your own data model and transforms rather than consume fixed endpoints.
- →You want to self-host or audit the data pipeline using open-source components.
- →You want decoded historical and real-time data across networks from one streaming API.
When Shyft is the better choice
- →You only build on Solana and want ready-made DeFi/NFT/wallet endpoints with no indexer to maintain.
- →You need the earliest possible Solana transaction detection via shred-level streaming.
- →You want bundled staked RPC plus data APIs and managed webhook callbacks from one Solana specialist.
- →You prefer an IDL-to-GraphQL SuperIndexer that auto-generates a queryable API for your program with minimal code.
Most production teams use both: Shyft for its layer, and SQD for the decoded data layer above it.
What changes, what stays
Where SQD replaces Shyft, and where you keep both
Shyft and SQD overlap on indexed Solana data but sit at different scopes. Teams typically keep Shyft for what it is purpose-built for and adopt SQD where they outgrow a single Solana vendor.
SQD replaces
- →SQD's Portal and Squid SDK can replace Shyft's SuperIndexer and DeFi/NFT/transaction APIs when you need custom schemas, multi-chain coverage, or a self-hostable, open pipeline rather than fixed endpoints.
You keep Shyft for
- →Keep Shyft for staked Solana RPC, Yellowstone gRPC, and RabbitStream shred streaming when you need the lowest-latency Solana transaction detection.
- →Keep Shyft's managed webhook Callbacks and turnkey DeFi/NFT REST endpoints if building and operating equivalents in your own indexer is not worth the effort for a Solana-only app.
The matrix above breaks the comparison down dimension by dimension. Every claim is cited in Sources.
The full SQD toolkit
What you get with SQD
SQD offers four products that share the same underlying data lake. Pick the layer that fits your workload.
| Product | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Portal API | Sub-second multi-chain query API | Real-time apps, trading, agents |
| Squid SDK | TypeScript indexer framework | Custom data products, GraphQL APIs |
| Pipes SDK | Streaming ETL pipelines | Warehouses, analytics, batch loads |
| SQD Network | Decentralized data lake | Open access, no vendor lock |
225+
Networks indexed
27ms
Median Portal response
6-step
Validation at ingestion
Frequently asked questions
Is Shyft multi-chain or Solana only?
Shyft is Solana only. Its RPCs, Yellowstone gRPC, RabbitStream, DeFi/NFT/Wallet/Transaction APIs, and SuperIndexer are all Solana-specific. SQD covers 225+ networks across EVM, Solana, Substrate, Bitcoin, and Hyperliquid from one Portal endpoint, so if you index beyond Solana you would need separate providers alongside Shyft.
What is the best Shyft alternative for indexing across multiple chains?
If you need Solana plus EVM, Substrate, Bitcoin, or Hyperliquid in one stack, SQD is a multi-chain alternative: one streaming Portal API and an open-source TypeScript SDK for custom indexers across 225+ networks. Shyft remains a strong choice if your scope is strictly Solana and you want turnkey DeFi/NFT endpoints and low-latency RPC from a single vendor.
Shyft vs SQD: which has lower-latency Solana real-time data?
They optimize for different things. Shyft's RabbitStream reconstructs raw Solana shreds for the earliest possible transaction detection; Shyft's own tests describe a consistent advantage of roughly 15ms to 100ms ahead of standard Yellowstone gRPC, which matters for trading and mempool-style use cases. SQD's Portal streams decoded data with a sub-second hot path (independent benchmark 27ms P50 / 48.5ms P90) across many chains. For lowest-latency Solana shred detection, Shyft is purpose-built; for decoded multi-chain streaming, SQD is broader.
Does Shyft pre-index DeFi and NFT data, and does SQD?
Shyft provides pre-indexed REST endpoints for DeFi pools (Raydium, Orca, Meteora, Pump Fun AMM, OpenBook V2, FluxBeam), NFTs, and wallets, so you can query them directly without building an indexer. SQD does not offer turnkey DeFi/NFT endpoints; it provides raw decoded onchain data and a TypeScript SDK so you build exactly the tables your app needs. If you want endpoints out of the box, Shyft is faster to start; if you need custom shapes or full control, SQD's SDK fits better.
Is Shyft open source or self-hostable?
Shyft open-sources client tooling (the ladybug-sdk TypeScript library and parsing examples, plus a fork of upstream Yellowstone gRPC), but the indexing, API, and RPC platform is proprietary and hosted by Shyft; there is no self-host product. SQD open-sources the Squid SDK, Pipes SDK, and the Portal node (AGPL-3.0), and you can self-host the SDK and Portal node or use managed SQD Cloud.
How much does Shyft cost and is there a free tier?
Shyft has a Free plan at $0/month (10 RPC req/sec, 1 API req/sec, no gRPC), then flat monthly plans: Build $199, Grow $349, and Accelerate $649, all with unlimited streaming and no credit metering. Dedicated Solana RPC nodes start at $1,800/month. SQD offers a free public Portal with no API key or card, and paid tiers that are network-based rather than per-call; final SQD pricing is not yet published.
Can I index a custom Solana program with Shyft or SQD?
Both can, differently. Shyft's SuperIndexer takes a program IDL, maps it to a database schema, backfills history, keeps it in sync, and exposes a GraphQL API for that program's account data with little custom code. SQD's Squid SDK lets you write arbitrary TypeScript processing over decoded instructions and accounts and store the result in GraphQL or any TypeORM-compatible database, giving more control over transforms at the cost of writing the logic yourself.
Sources & methodology (9 citations, verified June 2026)
Every comparison cell and statement about Shyft is anchored to Shyft’s own public documentation. Spotted something stale? Let us know.
Product, chains, and APIs
- Shyft is Solana-only and documents RPCs, gRPC, Jupiter swap, transaction APIs, callbacks, DeFi APIs, and SuperIndexer GraphQL [Shyft docs home]
- SuperIndexer maps a program IDL to a DB schema, backfills program accounts, keeps DB state in sync with onchain state, and exposes the data via GraphQL APIs; Solana-only [Shyft SuperIndexer GraphQL docs]
- Pre-indexed DeFi pool REST APIs (base url defi.shyft.to) across Fluxbeam, Meteora AMM/DLMM, OpenBook V2, Orca, Raydium AMM/CLMM/CPMM/Launchpad, Pump Fun AMM; pool fetch under 500ms [Shyft DeFi APIs docs]
Real-time streaming
- Yellowstone-compatible gRPC streams accounts, transactions, slots/blocks; replay up to 150 slots before head; dedicated nodes 5-10ms latency advantage over shared, 99.99%+ uptime [Shyft Yellowstone gRPC docs]
- RabbitStream reconstructs raw UDP shreds independently and streams via Yellowstone-compatible gRPC; initial tests reveal a consistent speed advantage ranging from ~15ms to 100ms ahead of standard Yellowstone gRPC [Shyft RabbitStream overview]
Indexing, case studies, and DeFi data
- Live case-study docs exist for Drift and Tensor, confirming named Solana adoption references [Shyft Drift case study]
Pricing and economics
- Free $0, Build $199, Grow $349, Accelerate $649 monthly plans by req/sec; dedicated RPCs from $1,800/mo; unlimited streaming, no credit metering on current plans; legacy credit plans Hack $49, Launch $199, Scale $499 [Shyft RPC & gRPC pricing]
Open source and adoption
- Open-source client repos: ladybug-sdk (TypeScript, MIT), solana-defi parsing examples (MIT, 351 stars, 405 commits, Rust/TypeScript), a fork of upstream Yellowstone gRPC (AGPL-3.0); active maintenance through June 2026; core platform proprietary [Shyft GitHub organization]
- solana-defi repo: MIT license, 351 stars, 405 commits, Rust/TypeScript gRPC parsing examples for Raydium, Pump Fun, Orca, Meteora [Shyft solana-defi repo]
More comparisons
Compare SQD to other platforms
Decoded data on 225+ chains, one endpoint
Free public Portal, open-source SDK, and 225+ chains indexed from day one.
Indexing more than 100M events a day or need a dedicated portal? Talk to sales.