Helius
Helius provides high-performance Solana RPC nodes, APIs, gRPC data streams, and webhooks to accelerate and scale Solana app development.
Overview
Helius is a comprehensive Solana infrastructure platform offering RPC nodes, APIs, real-time data streaming, and webhooks designed to help developers build and scale applications on Solana efficiently. It targets teams building DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, fintech apps, and other blockchain-based products that require reliable, low-latency access to Solana blockchain data and transaction processing. Helius provides globally distributed RPC nodes optimized for speed and reliability, with options for shared or dedicated nodes and 24/7 technical support from Solana engineers.
The platform's key features include LaserStream, a gRPC-based ultra-low latency data streaming service for blocks, transactions, and account data, and enhanced WebSocket and webhook APIs for real-time event listening and workflow automation. Helius also offers powerful Solana APIs such as the Digital Asset Standard (DAS) for querying NFTs and tokens, priority fee APIs for smart fee estimation, and enhanced transaction APIs that decode instructions and token transfers into human-readable formats. These tools simplify complex Solana data interactions and reduce the engineering overhead for developers.
What sets Helius apart is its enterprise-grade infrastructure with SOC 2 certification, extreme redundancy through redundant node clusters, and global coverage with endpoints across multiple continents. The platform supports scaling from initial development to millions of users without compromising performance or reliability. Notable integrations include major Solana ecosystem projects like Backpack, Phantom, Crossmint, Zeta Markets, and Chainalysis, which rely on Helius for critical infrastructure needs. Developers can get started quickly with a free tier offering 1 million credits and no credit card required, comprehensive documentation, AI-powered docs navigation, and direct support for paid plans.
The Problem
Developers building on Solana face challenges with unreliable or slow RPC nodes, complex data querying, and the overhead of maintaining scalable blockchain infrastructure. These issues can cause dropped transactions, delayed data access, and increased engineering costs.
The Solution
Key Features
LaserStream gRPC Data Streaming
Ultra-low latency streaming of blockchain data for high-frequency and real-time applications.
Enhanced WebSockets and Webhooks
Powerful event subscriptions with filtering and granular controls to automate workflows.
Digital Asset Standard (DAS) API
Fast, reliable querying of every NFT and token on Solana since genesis.
Priority Fee API
Smart fee estimation based on real-time network conditions to optimize transaction costs.
Dedicated RPC Nodes
Private infrastructure with no rate limits for high-demand applications.
Key Strengths
How Developers Use Helius
Real-time NFT marketplace data indexing
Developers use Helius APIs to query and stream NFT metadata and transactions instantly, enabling responsive marketplace features.
High-frequency trading on Solana
Trading firms leverage LaserStream gRPC for ultra-low latency blockchain data to execute timely trades and monitor order books.
Wallet transaction monitoring and notifications
Wallet providers integrate Helius webhooks and WebSocket APIs to track user transactions and trigger real-time alerts.
Works Well WithSolana
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Pricing
Free | Developer | Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Monthly) | Free | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
| Price (Annual) | Free | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
| Messaging | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Support | Community support via Discord and GitHub | Direct support from Helius team | Dedicated enterprise support and custom SLAs |
| Analytics |
Resources
Helius provides extensive developer resources including AI-powered documentation for quick navigation, detailed API references, tutorials, a developer blog, and direct support channels. These resources help developers quickly onboard and optimize their Solana applications.