Indexing Co vs The Graph / Subgraphs

How Indexing Co's pipeline architecture compares to The Graph's subgraph model and decentralized indexing protocol.

The Graph pioneered decentralized blockchain indexing. Its subgraph model gave developers a standard way to index smart contract events and query them via GraphQL. The protocol supports 60+ chains, has a large open-source community, and runs on a token-incentivized network of indexers. That matters.

But the architecture carries trade-offs that show up fast in production: AssemblyScript-only transforms, single-chain subgraphs, full re-indexes on schema changes, and variable GRT token pricing that makes costs unpredictable at scale. Indexing Co was built to solve these without sacrificing flexibility.

Architecture

Subgraphs: Contract-Centric, Coupled

Subgraphs bundle indexing logic, database schema, and storage into one unit. They're contract-centric: you define which contract events to index, write mappings in AssemblyScript, and query results through a GraphQL endpoint.

This coupling creates friction:

Change your schema? Re-index from block zero.
Need data from a new chain? Deploy a separate subgraph.
Want SQL access? Not available, GraphQL only.
Need wallet data, block data, or cross-chain data? Out of scope.

Indexing Co: Pipeline Architecture, Decoupled

Indexing Co separates sourcing, transformation, and delivery into independent layers. Each layer can change without affecting the others.

Source: Connect to any chain. Add new chains without rewriting transforms.
Transform: Write TypeScript (not AssemblyScript). Change your logic without re-indexing.
Deliver: Data goes to your PostgreSQL, BigQuery, webhook, or GraphQL endpoint. Your choice.

Feature Comparison

	Indexing Co	The Graph / Subgraphs
Language	TypeScript	AssemblyScript
Query interface	SQL, GraphQL, webhooks	GraphQL only
Data destination	Your database	Hosted GraphQL endpoint
Multi-chain	Single pipeline definition	Separate subgraph per chain
Schema changes	Hot-swap transforms	Full re-index required
Block-to-database delivery	sub-500ms (dedicated infra)	Seconds when synced, hours to days for initial sync
Data scope	Contracts, wallets, blocks, transactions	Contract events only
VM support	EVM, Solana, Cosmos, Move	EVM-focused
Chains	100+	60+
Pricing	Fixed pipeline subscription	GRT token fees (variable)
Reorg handling	Built-in confirmation depth	Varies by host
Backfill speed	Hours for full history	Hours to days (re-index)
Decentralization	Managed service	Token-incentivized indexer network

Where Subgraphs Fall Short

Performance at Scale A synced subgraph can keep up with the chain head in seconds, but initial syncs and re-indexes take hours to days for high-volume contracts. Under load, latency degrades as indexing falls behind. Indexing Co maintains sub-3-second latency regardless of volume because sourcing and computation are separated from storage.

Multi-Chain Pain A DeFi protocol on Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and Polygon needs four separate subgraphs, four databases, and four maintenance burdens. With Indexing Co, one pipeline definition covers all four chains with a unified output schema.

Schema Lock-In Need to add a field? Track a new event? Change your data model? With subgraphs, that means re-indexing from scratch, a process that can take days for high-volume contracts. Indexing Co lets you modify transforms and reprocess without starting over.

The AssemblyScript Tax AssemblyScript is a subset of TypeScript that compiles to WebAssembly. It's limited, poorly documented, and has a fraction of the ecosystem. Indexing Co uses standard TypeScript with access to the full npm ecosystem.

When The Graph Is the Right Call

Decentralization is a hard requirement. If your project needs censorship-resistant data infrastructure with no single point of failure, The Graph's decentralized indexer network delivers that.
Simple single-chain frontends. A straightforward dApp on one EVM chain that only needs contract event data via GraphQL.
Open-source ecosystem. Large developer community, extensive documentation, and community-built subgraphs you can fork and deploy.

When to Use What

Use subgraphs if

You're building a simple, single-chain frontend that only needs contract event data and you're comfortable with GraphQL.

Use Indexing Co if

You need multi-chain support, sub-500ms latency, SQL access, custom delivery targets, non-EVM chains, or data beyond contract events.

Make the Switch

Migrate from subgraphs to Indexing Co pipelines. Most teams are up and running in a day.

Get a Demo | Open the Console