Consensus Clients

Blockdaemon supports multiple consensus client implementations for dedicated Ethereum nodes, including Lighthouse, Nimbus, Teku, Prysm, Lodestar, and Grandine.

Lighthouse

Blockdaemon supports Lighthouse, a Rust-based Ethereum consensus client for dedicated RPC and Beacon API nodes, renowned for its robust performance and security. Built with a focus on reliability and efficiency, Lighthouse ensures fast synchronization and dependable validator operations, making it a trusted choice for Ethereum staking infrastructure.

Key Features

Lighthouse leverages Rust for high-speed synchronization and secure validator operations. Recent updates (e.g., v7.1.0) reduce disk I/O by 4x and data on disk by 10x during non-finality, enhancing performance for high-load RPC nodes. Its optimized design minimizes resource usage (~130 GiB disk, ~5 GiB RAM, moderate CPU), while active open-source development ensures compatibility with Ethereum’s consensus layer. Lighthouse supports seamless integration with execution clients like Geth or Besu for reliable node performance.

Performance Insights

Lighthouse excels in high-throughput scenarios, such as RPC nodes handling frequent dApp queries, due to its optimized disk I/O and low latency. Its stability and infrequent updates minimize downtime, making it ideal for enterprise-grade setups requiring consistent performance.

Use Cases

• Solo Stakers: Secure validator management with minimal resource demands.
• dApp Developers: Stable chain data access for high-frequency RPC requests.
• Enterprises: Resilient infrastructure for large-scale staking and node operations.
• Node Operators: High-performance consensus layer operations with reliable Beacon API endpoints.

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Nimbus

Blockdaemon supports Nimbus, a lightweight Ethereum consensus client for dedicated nodes, written in Nim for efficiency and accessibility. Designed for resource-constrained environments, Nimbus offers reliable validator performance and fast synchronization, making it a top choice for cost-effective Ethereum staking setups.

Key Features

Nimbus excels in low-resource environments, using Nim for efficient memory (2–3 GiB RAM) and CPU usage (low). It provides rapid sync times via checkpoint sync and robust validator support, with an active open-source community ensuring ongoing improvements and Ethereum consensus compatibility. Its lightweight design (170 GiB disk) minimizes operational costs, ideal for constrained hardware.

Performance Insights

Nimbus is notably performant in resource-limited settings, such as edge devices or shared infrastructure, making it ideal for RPC nodes where low memory and CPU usage are critical. Its efficiency reduces operational costs without sacrificing reliability, as noted in user feedback from Ethereum community surveys.

Use Cases

• Solo Stakers: Cost-effective staking on modest hardware like Raspberry Pi.
• dApp Developers: Lightweight dApps requiring efficient RPC endpoints.
• Enterprises: Cost-optimized staking solutions for scalable infrastructure.
• Node Operators: Reliable consensus client performance in resource-constrained environments.

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Teku

Blockdaemon supports Teku, a Java-based Ethereum consensus client for dedicated nodes, tailored for enterprise-grade staking and security. With a focus on institutional needs, Teku delivers reliable validator operations and seamless integration, making it a strong choice for robust Ethereum infrastructure.

Key Features

Teku offers secure validator management and high reliability, built in Java for enterprise compatibility. It features a REST API for Beacon Chain operations and Prometheus metrics for monitoring, with fast synchronization via checkpoint sync. Active development by Consensys ensures alignment with Ethereum’s consensus standards. Its resource usage (~84 GiB disk, ~10 GiB RAM, moderate CPU) supports scalable and secure node operations.

Performance Insights

Teku performs exceptionally in institutional environments, where its enterprise-ready features and robust security protocols ensure low-latency Beacon API responses and reliable RPC node performance. Its higher RAM usage is offset by its stability and compatibility with enterprise systems, making it ideal for large-scale deployments.

Use Cases

• Institutional Stakers: Secure infrastructure for high-stake validator operations.
• dApp Developers: Dependable chain access for enterprise-grade dApps.
• Enterprises: Scalable Ethereum solutions with professional support.
• Node Operators: Stable, enterprise-ready consensus client for RPC and Beacon API nodes.

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Prysm

Blockdaemon supports Prysm, a Go-based Ethereum consensus client for dedicated nodes, known for its user-friendly design and robust staking capabilities. Developed with a focus on accessibility and performance, Prysm provides efficient validator operations and fast synchronization, making it a popular choice for Ethereum staking infrastructure.

Key Features

Prysm, built in Go, offers intuitive validator management and rapid sync times via checkpoint sync. Its optimized architecture, including state cache management (e.g., 128 cache size in v7.0.1), supports high reliability for RPC and Beacon API nodes. Active open-source development by Prysm Labs ensures compatibility with Ethereum’s consensus layer and seamless execution client integration. Resource usage (~130 GiB disk, ~5 GiB RAM, moderate CPU) balances performance and accessibility.

Performance Insights

Prysm shines in general-purpose scenarios, offering a balance of usability and performance for RPC nodes with moderate query loads. Its efficient state cache management reduces latency for Beacon API calls, making it a versatile choice for diverse staking setups, as observed in Blockdaemon’s infrastructure.

Use Cases

• Solo Stakers: Easy-to-use interface for validator management.
• dApp Developers: Reliable chain data for moderate-scale RPC requests.
• Enterprises: Scalable staking solutions with accessible documentation.
• Node Operators: High-performance consensus operations with minimal setup complexity.

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Lodestar

Blockdaemon recognizes Lodestar, a TypeScript-based Ethereum consensus client, for its developer-friendly design and focus on light client research. Ideal for integration-heavy environments, Lodestar supports dedicated RPC and Beacon API nodes with a lightweight footprint, promoting accessibility and decentralization.

Key Features

Lodestar leverages TypeScript for rapid prototyping and browser-based applications, with a focus on light client support. It minimizes trust, enabling broader node participation, and offers fast synchronization via checkpoint sync. Resource usage (~130 GiB disk, ~8 GiB RAM, moderate CPU) supports efficient operations, backed by ChainSafe Systems and Ethereum Foundation funding.

Performance Insights

Lodestar performs well in developer-centric scenarios, where its TypeScript codebase simplifies integration with dApps and custom RPC setups. Its light client focus makes it suitable for environments prioritizing accessibility over raw performance, though it may not match Lighthouse or Prysm in high-throughput scenarios.

Use Cases

• Solo Stakers: Lightweight nodes for accessible validator operations.
• dApp Developers: Easy integration for browser-based or custom dApps.
• Enterprises: Flexible infrastructure for development-focused staking.
• Node Operators: Efficient consensus client for integration-heavy RPC nodes.

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Grandine

Blockdaemon acknowledges Grandine, a Rust-based Ethereum consensus client, for its high-performance and lightweight design. Tailored for both solo and institutional stakers, Grandine supports dedicated RPC and Beacon API nodes with a focus on efficiency and scalability.

Key Features

Grandine, built in Rust, emphasizes high performance and low resource usage, suitable for devices like Raspberry Pi or large-scale validator setups. Its design supports rapid synchronization and robust validator operations, though specific resource metrics are less documented. Active development ensures Ethereum consensus compatibility.

Performance Insights

Grandine’s Rust-based architecture suggests strong performance for RPC and Beacon API nodes, particularly in low-resource or high-throughput scenarios. However, limited adoption data as of July 2025 makes it a promising but less proven option compared to established clients like Lighthouse or Teku.

Use Cases

• Solo Stakers: High-performance staking on low-resource hardware.
• dApp Developers: Efficient chain access for performance-sensitive applications.
• Enterprises: Scalable infrastructure for large validator networks.
• Node Operators