Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Blockstream VS BlockCypher

Compare Blockstream VS BlockCypher and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Blockstream logo Blockstream

Blockstream is an all-in-one bitcoin and digital asset infrastructure that has been the leader in providing the top-notch developing experience to deliver blockchain applications.

BlockCypher logo BlockCypher

AWS for Block Chains
  • Blockstream Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-06
  • BlockCypher Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-14

Blockstream features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Blockstream Green offers advanced security features such as multi-signature protection and two-factor authentication, which reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your funds.
  • Privacy Features
    Includes integration with Tor network for increased privacy, as well as features like transaction blinding that help in obscuring transaction details from third parties.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The wallet has an intuitive and clean interface, making it accessible even for users who are new to cryptocurrency.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    Blockstream Green is available on multiple platforms including iOS, Android, and desktop, providing flexibility in how you manage your funds.
  • Customizable Fee Settings
    Allows users to customize transaction fees, giving them the option to prioritize speed or cost-effectiveness depending on their needs.

Possible disadvantages of Blockstream

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its advanced features, some users (especially beginners) may find the initial setup and navigation complex.
  • Custodial Elements
    While it's primarily a non-custodial wallet, the need for connecting with Blockstream servers for secondary authentication introduces a semi-custodial element, which might be a concern for those looking for complete autonomy.
  • Limited Coin Support
    Supports primarily Bitcoin and Liquid Network assets, limiting its usefulness for users who hold a variety of altcoins.
  • No Built-in Exchange
    Lacks an integrated cryptocurrency exchange, requiring users to use external services for swapping their assets.
  • Potential Privacy Trade-offs
    While the wallet incorporates privacy features, users must trust Blockstream's servers to some extent, potentially exposing some metadata.

BlockCypher features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    BlockCypher offers a simple API structure that makes integration with blockchain services straightforward, even for developers who are new to blockchain technology.
  • Multi-Blockchain Support
    Supports multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin, allowing developers to work with different cryptocurrencies in a unified platform.
  • Detailed Documentation
    Comprehensive and well-maintained documentation that helps developers understand and implement their APIs efficiently.
  • High Availability
    Designed for high availability and reliability, which ensures minimal downtime and consistent performance for applications.
  • Advanced Features
    Offers advanced APIs for tracking, creating, and managing transactions, contracts, and wallet functionalities, making it suitable for both basic and complex use cases.
  • Support for Microtransactions
    Offers support for microtransactions, which is beneficial for applications requiring small payments or tipping systems.

Possible disadvantages of BlockCypher

  • Costs
    While BlockCypher offers a free tier, higher usage plans can get expensive, which may not be suitable for startups or low-budget projects.
  • Limited Customization
    Some users might find that the service provides limited customization options, which can be restrictive for highly specialized use cases.
  • Dependency on Third Party
    Relying on a third-party service for blockchain interactions introduces dependency risks, including potential service downtime or changes in API terms.
  • Performance Overhead
    Using an external API can introduce performance bottlenecks due to network latency, compared to running a local solution.
  • Security Concerns
    Although secure, delegating sensitive operations to a third-party service raises security concerns, especially for high-stakes transactions.
  • Limited Control Over Nodes
    Developers do not have direct control over the blockchain nodes, which can occasionally lead to limitations in managing the blockchain environment.

Analysis of Blockstream

Overall verdict

  • Blockstream is generally regarded as a reputable company within the blockchain and cryptocurrency community, especially known for its work on Bitcoin and related technologies.

Why this product is good

  • Expertise: Blockstream is known for its team of experts and pioneering work in Bitcoin development, including contributions to the Lightning Network and other scaling solutions.
  • Innovation: The company has introduced and developed numerous innovative projects such as Liquid Network, a sidechain solution that enhances Bitcoin transaction efficiency.
  • Security Focus: Blockstream places a strong emphasis on security, offering products like Blockstream Green, a secure Bitcoin wallet, and deploying robust cryptographic standards.

Recommended for

  • Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts: Individuals who are passionate about Bitcoin and its development will appreciate Blockstream's contributions to the space.
  • Developers: Those looking to work with cutting-edge blockchain technology and contribute to projects that focus on improving Bitcoin scalability and security.
  • Investors: People interested in investing in blockchain companies or technologies, given Blockstream's reputation and industry influence.

Blockstream videos

Why Blockstream Destroyed Bitcoin

More videos:

  • Review - Everything you need to know before getting Blockstream's JADE Bitcoin hardware wallet
  • Review - BLOCKSTREAM JADE - Secure Your Bitcoin and Liquid Network Assets

BlockCypher videos

Building with Blockchains and BlockCypher - Josh Cincinnati

More videos:

  • Review - FinDEVr SF 2015 / BlockCypher

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Blockstream and BlockCypher)
Cryptocurrencies
80 80%
20% 20
Cloud Infrastructure
0 0%
100% 100
Business & Commerce
100 100%
0% 0
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Blockstream and BlockCypher. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Blockstream seems to be a lot more popular than BlockCypher. While we know about 51 links to Blockstream, we've tracked only 2 mentions of BlockCypher. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Blockstream mentions (51)

View more

BlockCypher mentions (2)

  • Wallet balance not correct?
    So I added old keys to MultiDoge and the wallets synced up but the balances show in MultiDoge doesn't seem to be correct. I've checked all addresses that I've added against blockcypher.com and it shows 0 balance on all but one which shows the same on Blockcypher and in MultiDoge. Is MultiDoge malfunctioning (Most likely I guess)? It shows that it's synced with the latest block. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Bitcoin newbie - sent 2 transactions with too low a fee (non replaceable).
    Thanks for that - really helpful video. Looks like my only option is to wait it out and have the transaction bounced back, but what I can't understand is that the receiver reckons they have it, yet when I try and look at the transaction id in blockstream.info its not there, but does show up under blockcypher.com Anyway, its coming up to a couple of weeks soon so will see what happens. Source: over 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Blockstream and BlockCypher, you can also consider the following products

BlueWallet - An easy to use and secure Bitcoin wallet for iOS

Hyperledger - Hyperledger is a multi-project open source collaborative effort hosted by The Linux Foundation, created to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies.

Electrum - Electrum is an easy to use Bitcoin client.

Kaleido Blockchain Business Cloud - Create and manage enterprise private blockchain networks within minutes using Kaleido's platform. Our full-stack enterprise blockchain as a service and cloud integrations support your entire blockchain journey, from PoC to live production.

Trezor.io - The Hardware Bitcoin Wallet

IBM MQ - IBM MQ is messaging middleware that simplifies and accelerates the integration of diverse applications and data across multiple platforms.