Modern smart contract platforms - Binance Smart Chain nodes, Ethereum nodes, Polygon (Matic) nodes - can on-board a plethora of types of on-chain software programs (decentralized applications, dApps). But every blockchain has its own benefits and challenges for dApps developers.
BSC Nodes API: Platform of Choice for Average dApp
Binance Smart Chain (BSC) is a smart contract platform by a world-leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The blockchain is fully EVM-compatible, so every Ethereum-based decentralized application can easily be moved to BSC nodes.
Compared to Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain (BSC) has lower fees and is less vulnerable for painful congestions. As such, BSC nodes may look attractive for early-stage dApps who can’t cover growing Ethereum gas fees.
At the same time, like with every ‘corporate chain’ (Huobi Eco Chain, OKEXChain, and so on), Binance Smart Chain nodes ecosystem is criticized for its hidden centralization. But, as GetBlock noticed, BSC nodes on-chain activity is back to rocketing in early September, 2021.
PRO TIP: Right now, GetBlock, a flagship API nodes connection provider, is having a promo campaign for dedicated BSC nodes. Users can book Binance Smart Chain dedicated node for two months and receive one more month for free!
Ethereum Nodes API: Old But Gold
Ethereum is a first-ever smart contracts environment: ETH nodes are able to on-board dApps since the year of 2015. It still has a number of undisputed advantages. First, its security is protected by the entire hashrate of Ethereum nodes: your dApp is secured by all active miners of Ethereum.
Second, it has what is known as an ‘Ethereum effect’: while building on Ethereum, the developers become the part of the largest community of cryptocurrency segment. Ethereum has the most detailed and well-known documentation amidst all smart contracts platforms.
Thus, by using ETH API, dApps team stay sure about the security and decentralization of all on-chain operations. At the same time, Ethereum fees may be too high, in particular, during the increased activity on Ethereum nodes. Typically, such periods coincide with the rapid moves of Ether price.
As such, ordering ETH node API by GetBlock can be the most reasonable solution for the advocates of decentralization and active members of the Ethereum community.
Polygon Nodes API: Hidden Gem
Polygon nodes (previously Matic Network) evolved from yet another Ethereum scalability solution into a next-gen interoperability hub able to bridge all advanced ETH scaling networks: Arbitrum, Plasma, Optimism, and so on.
Polygon is well known for its unmatched speed and low transactional costs. It is fully compatible with Solidity: Polygon team stresses that ‘Ethereum developers are Polygon developers’.
Polygon API nodes can be used by every decentralized application if its team is familiar with Ethereum’s codebase. That’s why Polygon nodes look like a very promising decentralized technical environment for dApps of all sorts.
Bonus: What About Bitcoin API?
As Bitcoin doesn’t support smart contracts seamlessly (some networks explore such options, see our partners RSK), Bitcoin nodes can’t host decentralized applications. At the same time, Bitcoin nodes API can be useful for the cross-chain wallets or DEXs that support flagship cryptocurrency.
