Introduction
When building decentralized exchange (DEX) applications, accessing reliable and scalable APIs is critical. This article compares three leading DEX API providers—Bitquery, DEX Guru, and DEX Screener—based on key factors like supported blockchains, data coverage, pricing, and limitations.
👉 Explore the best DEX APIs for your project
Key Comparison Criteria
We evaluated these APIs using the following metrics:
- Supported blockchains
- API data depth & coverage
- Rate limits & pricing
- Data latency
- Documentation & support
Supported Blockchains
Bitquery
- Supports 40+ blockchains, including Ethereum, BSC, Arbitrum, Polygon, Solana, and Avalanche.
- Full list available here.
DEX Guru
- Covers Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, and zkSync Era.
DEX Screener (Beta)
- Currently very limited—focuses primarily on pair data.
Verdict: Bitquery leads in blockchain coverage.
DEX Support & Flexibility
Bitquery
- Indexes all DEXs (Uniswap, PancakeSwap, SushiSwap, etc.) via factory addresses.
- Supports GraphQL, enabling complex queries (e.g., filtering by token, timeframe, or liquidity).
DEX Guru
- REST API with curated DEXs (no protocol-level queries).
DEX Screener
- Minimal pair data (price, volume).
Verdict: Bitquery’s GraphQL flexibility is unmatched.
API Data Depth
Swap Data
| Feature | Bitquery | DEX Guru |
|-----------------------|----------|----------|
| Transaction details | ✅ | ❌ |
| Taker/Maker analysis | ✅ | ❌ |
| Real-time streaming | ✅ | Paid only|
Liquidity & Pair Data
- Bitquery: Balance API for liquidity metrics.
- DEX Guru: Limited to supported pools.
👉 Bitquery’s real-time swap API example
Pricing & Limits
| Provider | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|------------|--------------------|----------------------|
| Bitquery | 100K points/month | Up to 100M points |
| DEX Guru | 200K reqs/month | Max 1M reqs/month |
Note: Bitquery’s enterprise plan offers unlimited scalability.
FAQ Section
1. Which API is best for real-time data?
Bitquery’s streaming APIs (GraphQL subscriptions) offer near-zero latency.
2. Does DEX Guru support Solana?
No—only EVM-compatible chains.
3. Can I query historical swaps with Bitquery?
Yes, with granular filters (token, block, timeframe).
Conclusion
For scalability, real-time data, and flexibility, Bitquery is the top choice. DEX Guru suits simpler needs, while DEX Screener remains limited.
🚀 Pro Tip: Use Bitquery’s TradingView integration for advanced charting.
Need help? Bitquery’s 24/7 support is exceptional!