Data is the currency of business, and these days, the way we store it and manage it has become extremely important. Tech keeps evolving, and we have to keep up with it… So what you may know as traditional web hosting has had some upgrades to stay on top of its game when it comes to data.
Blockchain hosting providers are one of the newer bits of tech, and if you’re looking for exceptional security, privacy, and a bunch of other useful features, they’re definitely worth checking out.
What Are Blockchain Hosting Providers?
Blockchain hosting providers offer web hosting services, but they use blockchain technology to provide the best, most secure hosting possible for websites and applications.
Unlike regular hosting companies, they don’t use a central server to host sites and apps—instead, they use a decentralized network of something called nodes.
What’s the Difference: Traditional vs. Blockchain Hosting
With your normal hosting, websites and apps are all placed on a central server, which is owned and looked after by one company. The problem with this method is that if something happens to the server, everything hosted on it suffers.
Blockchain takes a different track. They split your data across a whole network of nodes, so even if one or five of them happen to be down, your site still stands. Plus, blockchain is superbly secure, thanks to encryption and having your data so widespread. It makes it pretty hard for hackers to get in and cause chaos the same way they could on a normal server.
Best Web Hosting for Blockchain Projects
Let’s check out the 10 best web hosting for blockchain projects that you can feel confident about investing in.
#1. Google Cloud Platform
Google Cloud isn’t just a host, it’s a suite of services. Their fully-managed Blockchain Node Engine is fortress-level secure, simple to scale up or down, and fully managed, so you don’t have to fiddle with anything yourself.
However, it only supports Ethereum nodes at this point, but watch this space. If they see success (and we imagine they will), they should be expanding soon.
One of the biggest bonuses is that it integrates quite easily with every other Google service and tool, and who doesn’t use Google these days? They’ve also got a library of resources to help you with your blockchain projects, which is a nice addition.
#2. Microsoft Azure Blockchain
Microsoft Azure Blockchain service is another fully managed service you can use to build and control networks easily. It supports more than just one network, including Etereum and Quorum, which gives it the edge over Google.
It also goes hand in hand with other Azure services, so if you’re already using some of their services, this is a no-brainer. You’ll get top-notch security, beady-eye monitoring, and a bunch of other features that make it a great option for businesses who are keen to do this on a large scale. Plus, there’s an awesome set of developer tools to work with.
#3. Amazon Managed Blockchain
Amazon Web Services is another big name, and they offer their own fully-managed blockchain service. Create your own blockchain networks using a range of different frameworks, and manage them as you will.
Its price point and complexity levers are tailored a little more to enterprise-level blockchain projects, so it might not be an easy-to-manage choice for smaller businesses or single developers looking for a platform for their own blockchain projects.
#4. IBM Blockchain Platform
Another higher-level platform designed more for enterprises, this blockchain hosting company is built on Hyperledger Fabric. It’s loaded with a bunch of features, but it might be a bit much for smaller users, both in terms of price and how comprehensive it is.
It’s seriously secure and easy to scale, plus you’ll be able to make use of IBM’s sizable network of partners and approved developers to help you on your own blockchain projects. These are some big names, so if you’re at the enterprise level, this could be a valuable tool.
#5. Chainstack
Chainstack allows you to build on your choice of popular platforms, like Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum, Corda, and more. It’s pretty user-friendly, and it’s a great choice if you prefer the whole process of building, deploying, and scaling to be as simplified as possible.
Whatever blockchain projects you’ve got going on, Chainstack is a secure and stable foundation. You’ll have all the monitoring, analytics, and governance tools you need to take control of your projects and scale them without a hassle.
#6. Blockdaemon
Blockdaemon is a comprehensive blockchain hosting platform that’s fully managed, giving you the best possible foundation for your blockchain projects to flourish. It supports a bunch of different blockchain protocols, so you’ve got plenty of scope.
It’s locked-down secure, easy to grow on, and you can rest assured it’ll be reliable as long as you’re using it. You’ll have access to a full range of monitoring tools, and it has robust support, which will help you connect it to all your existing apps and services. It’s a touch more focused on node management and less of a fully managed service, so keep that in mind.
#7. Ankr
This decentralized cloud platform offers node hosting services for multiple different blockchain protocols, so you should be pretty well covered no matter what your projects. It features an easy-to-use interface, and it’s a fairly cost-effective option.
You’ll have access to a bunch of handy developer tools, APIs, and useful resources to help you with whatever blockchain projects you’re busy with.
#8. QuikNode
QuikNode’s blockchain infrastructure platform is high-performance, reliable, and user-friendly, although it has a slant towards more specific node management than fully comprehensive hosting.
Along with an easy-to-use interface and compatibility with multiple blockchain protocols, you’ll have access to some great monitoring tools and a bunch of excellent developer resources to support your various projects.
#9. Infura
Infura is a platform with a strong focus on Ethereum and IPFS, although they do give access to multiple other blockchain networks as well. They’re more of an API-access service than a full blockchain hosting service, but they still do their job well.
Their APIs allow for simple integration with whatever existing applications and systems you’ve got going on already, and like the others, you’ll get access to a host of analytics and easy-monitor tools so you can study and optimize your networks’ performance on the go.
#10. Bitfury Exonum
Bitfury Exonum is a platform for larger organizations and businesses that prefer private, permissioned, and highly secure blockchain networks. They have a strong focus on being hack-proof and tamper-proof, so if security is of concern to you, definitely consider them.
However, it’s not a dedicated hosting provider, so you might need extra setup steps or management help once everything is in process.
About the Author Paul Wheeler runs a web design agency that helps small businesses optimize their websites for business success. He aims to educate business owners on all things website-related at his own website, Reviews for Website Hosting.
