Both Yellowstone gRPC and Bitquery’s Smart Stream (CoreCast) offer real-time Solana blockchain data streaming through gRPC, but they differ significantly in architecture, data enrichment, and developer experience. This guide helps you choose the right solution for your use case.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Yellowstone gRPC | Bitquery Smart Stream (CoreCast) |
|---|---|---|
| Latency | Low latency (direct node connection) | Low latency |
| Data Format | Raw blockchain data | Enriched, context-aware data |
| Filtering | Account, transaction, program filters | Context-aware filtering (addresses, tokens, pools, value thresholds) |
| Data Enrichment | ❌ No enrichment – raw data only | ✅ Token metadata, balance context, program info |
| Parsing Required | ✅ Yes – manual parsing for each protocol | ❌ No – ready-to-use structured data |
| Protocol Support | Solana only | Multiple blockchains (Solana, Tron, EVMs) |
| DEX Support | Manual implementation per DEX | ✅ All major DEX protocols out-of-the-box |
| Integration Complexity | High – requires Geyser plugin setup | Low – simple API integration |
| Free Tier | Depends on provider | ✅ Available for developers |
Overview
Yellowstone gRPC
Yellowstone gRPC is an open-source gRPC interface built on Solana’s Geyser plugin system. It provides direct access to raw Solana blockchain data by tapping into Solana validators, offering real-time streaming of account updates, transactions, blocks, slots, and entries.
Key Characteristics: – Direct connection to Solana validators via Geyser plugin – Raw, unprocessed blockchain data – Requires significant parsing and context addition – Available through RPC providers (QuickNode, Chainstack, Helius)
Bitquery Smart Stream (CoreCast)
Bitquery’s Smart Stream, branded as CoreCast, delivers ultra-low latency, parsed, and enriched gRPC streams with intelligent filtering. Unlike raw streams, CoreCast provides context-aware data ready for immediate use in trading applications, DeFi platforms, and analytics tools.
Key Characteristics: – Enriched data with token, balance, and program metadata – Topic-based streaming (trades, transfers, balances, pools) – Server-side filtering reduces bandwidth – Simple integration with Protobuf contracts – Multi-blockchain support
Learn more: Bitquery gRPC Docs
Detailed Feature Comparison
1. Data Enrichment
Yellowstone gRPC
- Raw Data Only: Streams raw blockchain data without context
- Manual Parsing Required: You must parse and decode:
- Account data structures
- Transaction instructions
- Program-specific data formats
- Token information
- Protocol-Specific Logic: Requires implementing custom parsers for each DEX/protocol (Raydium, Orca, Jupiter, etc.)
- Token Context: No automatic token metadata or pricing information
Bitquery Smart Stream
- Fully Enriched Data: Each event includes:
- Token metadata (name, symbol, decimals)
- Balance and amount context
- Program information
- USD values (planned)
- Ready-to-Use: No parsing needed for common use cases
- Protocol Coverage: All major DeFi protocols supported out-of-the-box
- Example Use Case: 1.05M+ Pumpfun DEX trades processed efficiently with minimal code
2. Filtering Capabilities
Yellowstone gRPC
Filter Types: – Account filters (pubkeys, owners, memcmp) – Transaction filters (account includes/excludes, vote filters) – Program filters – Slot filters
Limitations: – Raw filtering at blockchain level – No semantic filtering (e.g., “trades above $1000”) – Requires client-side filtering for business logic
Bitquery Smart Stream
Context-Aware Filtering:
– Addresses: Signers, senders, receivers, owners, program IDs
– Tokens: Mint addresses, token standards
– Value Thresholds: Minimum amounts in native or token units
– Topics: Subscribe only to specific event types (trades, transfers, balances)
– Markets/Pools: By protocol, pool ID, or market identifier
Advantages: – Server-side filtering reduces bandwidth by 90%+ – Semantic filtering (business-logic level) – No need to download and filter irrelevant data
3. Integration Complexity
Yellowstone gRPC
Setup Requirements: 1. Choose and configure RPC provider with Yellowstone support 2. Implement gRPC client with Protobuf definitions 3. Parse raw blockchain data structures 4. Decode account data for each program 5. Build custom parsers for each DEX/protocol 6. Add token metadata and context 7. Implement error handling and reconnection logic
Development Time: Weeks to months depending on protocol coverage needed
Bitquery Smart Stream
Setup Requirements: 1. Generate API token from Bitquery account 2. Connect to corecast.bitquery.io 3. Define filters in simple YAML/JSON configuration 4. Start receiving structured data
Development Time: Hours to days
Example Configuration:
server:
address: “corecast.bitquery.io”
authorization: “”
stream:
type: “dex_trades”
filters:
tokens:
– “So11111111111111111111111111111111111111112” # WSOL
4. Performance & Latency
Yellowstone gRPC
- Latency: Low latency, depends on validator connection
- Throughput: High throughput for raw data
- Bandwidth: Higher bandwidth usage (all raw data)
- Processing: Additional client-side processing overhead
Bitquery Smart Stream
- Latency:
- Throughput: Optimized for high-frequency trading
- Bandwidth: Reduced by 90%+ through server-side filtering
- Processing: Minimal client-side processing needed
5. Data Types & Topics
Yellowstone gRPC
Subscription Types: – Account updates – Transactions – Slots – Blocks – Entries (for lower-level data)
Characteristics: – Low-level blockchain primitives – Requires interpretation and aggregation – All or nothing approach per subscription type
Bitquery Smart Stream
Topic-Based Streaming:
– Transactions: Finalized transactions with instructions, logs, status
– Transfers: Token transfers with context
– DEX Trades: Parsed swaps across all DEXs – DEX Orders: Order lifecycle updates
– DEX Pools: Pool creation, updates, liquidity changes
– Balances: Balance updates for tracked accounts
Advantages: – High-level business events – Subscribe only to needed topics – Consistent schema across protocols
6. Use Cases
Best for Yellowstone gRPC:
- ✅ Building custom blockchain indexers
- ✅ Need complete raw blockchain data
- ✅ Developing novel protocol parsers
- ✅ Research and blockchain analytics requiring raw data
- ✅ Already have parsing infrastructure
Best for Bitquery Smart Stream:
- ✅ Trading terminals requiring real-time structured feeds
- ✅ Algorithmic trading bots with latency-sensitive strategies
- ✅ DeFi applications tracking liquidity, swaps, balances
- ✅ MEV bots and sniper applications
- ✅ Telegram/Discord bots streaming on-chain activity
- ✅ Analytics platforms needing real-time structured data
- ✅ Portfolio trackers monitoring token movements
- ✅ Token sniping applications requiring instant trade data
Real-World Example: Bitquery Smart Stream handled 1.05M+ Pumpfun DEX trades with minimal code and infrastructure.
7. Protocol & DEX Support
Yellowstone gRPC
- Coverage: Solana blockchain only
- DEX Support: Manual implementation required for:
- Raydium
- Orca
- Jupiter
- Pump.fun
- Meteora
- And any other DEX
Challenge: Each DEX has unique instruction formats and account structures requiring custom parsers.
Bitquery Smart Stream
- Coverage: Multiple blockchains (Solana, Tron, EVMs)
- DEX Support: Out-of-the-box support for:
- ✅ Raydium (CLMM & AMM)
- ✅ Orca (Whirlpools)
- ✅ Jupiter Aggregator
- ✅ Pump.fun
- ✅ Meteora
- ✅ Phoenix
- ✅ OpenBook (Serum v3)
- ✅ Lifinity
- ✅ And all major protocols
Advantage: No need to implement or maintain DEX-specific parsing logic.
8. Schema & Data Format
Yellowstone gRPC
- Format: Protobuf (efficient binary encoding)
- Schema: Raw Solana data structures
- Stability: Depends on Solana protocol changes
- Documentation: Geyser plugin documentation
Bitquery Smart Stream
- Format: Protobuf (efficient binary encoding)
- Schema: Stable, versioned contracts
- Packages:
- Python: pip install bitquery-corecast-proto
- Node.js: npm install bitquery-corecast-proto
- Documentation: Schema GitHub
9. Access & Pricing
Yellowstone gRPC
- Access: Through RPC providers (QuickNode, Chainstack, Helius)
- Pricing: Provider-dependent, typically paid add-on
- Setup: Requires RPC node subscription
- Self-Hosting: Possible but requires running Solana validator
Bitquery Smart Stream
- Access: Direct from Bitquery
- Free Tier: ✅ Available for developers and small projects
- Pricing: Flexible plans for businesses and enterprises
- Setup: Instant API token generation
- Get Started: Generate token
Choosing the Right Solution
Choose Yellowstone gRPC if you:
- Need complete raw blockchain data
- Are building a custom blockchain indexer
- Have resources to implement and maintain parsers
- Require novel data processing not available in standard streams
- Already have parsing infrastructure
Choose Bitquery Smart Stream (CoreCast) if you:
- Want to build trading bots quickly
- Need enriched, ready-to-use data
- Require ultra-low latency (
- Want server-side filtering to reduce bandwidth
- Need multiple DEX protocols without custom parsing
- Prefer simple integration with stable schemas
- Are building DeFi apps, terminals, or bots
- Want to focus on business logic instead of parsing
Code Examples
Yellowstone gRPC Basic Subscription
// Requires significant setup and parsing logic
let mut subscribe_request = SubscribeRequest {
accounts: HashMap::from_iter(vec![(
“account_filter”.to_string(),
SubscribeRequestFilterAccounts {
account: vec![“ACCOUNT_PUBKEY”.to_string()],
..Default::default()
},
)]),
..Default::default()
};
// Raw data requires manual parsing for each protocol
Bitquery Smart Stream Basic Subscription
# Simple YAML configuration – no parsing needed
server:
address: “corecast.bitquery.io”
authorization: “”
stream:
type: “dex_trades”
filters:
tokens:
– “So11111111111111111111111111111111111111112”
min_amount: 1000000000 # 1 SOL in lamports
Result: Receive fully parsed DEX trades with token metadata instantly.
Migration Path
If you’re currently using Yellowstone gRPC and want to migrate to Bitquery Smart Stream:
- Identify your data needs: Map your current subscriptions to CoreCast topics
- Replace parsers: Remove custom DEX parsing logic
- Simplify filters: Convert low-level filters to context-aware filters
- Update data models: Use enriched data structures from CoreCast
- Test latency: Verify sub-100ms performance meets requirements
Expected Benefits: – ⏱️ 60-80% reduction in development time – 📉 90%+ reduction in bandwidth usage – 🚀 Faster time to market – 🔧 Less maintenance overhead
Getting Started
Bitquery Smart Stream (Recommended for Most Use Cases)
- Generate API Token: Get your token
- Choose Your Language:
- Install Package:
- Read Documentation: CoreCast Introduction
Yellowstone gRPC
- Choose Provider: QuickNode, Chainstack, or Helius
- Enable Add-on: Subscribe to Yellowstone gRPC service
- Implement Client: Use Geyser plugin Protobuf definitions
- Build Parsers: Implement protocol-specific parsing logic
Support & Resources
Bitquery Resources
Yellowstone Resources
Conclusion
Both Yellowstone gRPC and Bitquery Smart Stream are powerful solutions for Solana data streaming, but they serve different needs:
- Yellowstone gRPC is ideal for those who need complete raw blockchain data and have the resources to build custom parsing infrastructure.
- Bitquery Smart Stream (CoreCast) is the better choice for most developers, offering enriched data, simpler integration, and faster time to market—perfect for trading bots, DeFi apps, and real-time analytics.
For modern trading applications and DeFi platforms that need to move fast, Bitquery Smart Stream provides the speed, simplicity, and enriched data needed to stay competitive.
Ready to start? Generate your API token and start streaming in minutes.
