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Head-to-head · Blockchain Developer Platforms

Hardhat vs The Graph

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Hardhat #2 in Blockchain Developer Platforms 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Hardhat
The Graph #6 in Blockchain Developer Platforms 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit The Graph

Hardhat leads on 0 checks, The Graph on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHardhat · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresThe Graph · 2 of 2

Hardhat scores higher on our rubric for blockchain developer platforms: 8.7 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Hardhat is the better fit for open-source Solidity projects using a plugin workflow. The Graph is the better fit for developers indexing and querying blockchain data.

  • Hardhat fits best

    Open-source Solidity projects using a plugin workflow

  • The Graph fits best

    Developers indexing and querying blockchain data

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Hardhat 8.7/10 Visit ↗ The Graph 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.3
Ranking #2 in Blockchain Developer Platforms #6 in Blockchain Developer Platforms
Best for Open-source Solidity projects using a plugin workflow Developers indexing and querying blockchain data
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $2/unit usage-based
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Hardhat 0/2 · The Graph 2/2
Data indexing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Contract deployment Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported chains Not checked yet 60
Node access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Monthly request limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported SDKs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Compiles Solidity and supports Solidity unit and TypeScript integration tests
  • Includes fuzzing, transaction debugging, and local network simulation
  • Extends tasks and tools through plugins, including deployment and verification
  • Create and test Subgraphs with unlimited use on the Free Plan.
  • Query organized blockchain data using GraphQL.
  • Stream data with Substreams or run Graph Node locally.
Cons
  • Requires local installation and command-line use
  • Does not include security analysis or a visual builder
  • Runs self-hosted, with support through documentation and community
  • Growth Plan charges by query volume beyond the free allowance.
  • Network support can vary by feature and network status.
  • Its core focus is data indexing, not a complete contract authoring workflow.
Our verdict

Hardhat is an open-source development environment for building Ethereum smart contracts and decentralized applications. Installed locally and used through the command line, it is aimed at Solidity developers and teams who want a…

Read the review →

The Graph gives developers a way to organize smart-contract data into Subgraphs and query it with GraphQL. It is aimed at application teams that need indexed, queryable blockchain data, with support across 60+ networks. Developers can…

Read the review →
  1. HardhatBlockchain Developer Platforms 8.7Free plan
  2. The GraphBlockchain Developer Platforms 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Hardhat — where it wins

    • Compiles Solidity and supports Solidity unit and TypeScript integration tests
    • Includes fuzzing, transaction debugging, and local network simulation
    • Extends tasks and tools through plugins, including deployment and verification

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires local installation and command-line use
    • Does not include security analysis or a visual builder
    • Runs self-hosted, with support through documentation and community

  • The Graph — where it wins

    • Create and test Subgraphs with unlimited use on the Free Plan.
    • Query organized blockchain data using GraphQL.
    • Stream data with Substreams or run Graph Node locally.

    Where it doesn't

    • Growth Plan charges by query volume beyond the free allowance.
    • Network support can vary by feature and network status.
    • Its core focus is data indexing, not a complete contract authoring workflow.
  • Hardhat8.7/10 · Free plan

    A command-line toolkit for compiling, testing, debugging, and deploying Solidity projects.

    Visit HardhatFull verdict →
  • The Graph8.3/10 · Free plan

    A focused platform for indexing and querying on-chain data, not a full contract deployment suite.

    Visit The GraphFull verdict →

More comparisons

All blockchain developer platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update