In the world of MEV (Maximal Extractable Value), milliseconds equal money. If you are sending transactions through a public RPC endpoint (like Infura or Ankr public), you are already losing to bots running on local hardware.
This guide ranks the top RPC infrastructure options for 2026 based on three critical factors: Latency (Ping), Mempool Visibility, and Privacy.
RPC Provider Showdown (2026 Benchmarks)
| Provider | Type | Latency (Avg) | Privacy Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Geth/Reth NodeWinner | Self-Hosted | < 1ms | Maximum | |
| QuickNode | Commercial | ~15-50ms | High (Private endpoints) | Alternative |
| Alchemy | Commercial | ~20-60ms | Medium | Alternative |
| Ankr / Public | Public | 100ms+ | Low (Public usage) | Alternative |
Detailed Analysis
1. Local Node (Geth / Reth) - The Golden Standard
For serious MEV searchers, there is no substitute for running your own node. By running a client likeRethor Geth on the same machine as your bot, you reduce network latency to effectively zero (IPC connection).
- Zero network latency
- No monthly subscription fees
- Absolute privacy (no logging)
- Requires 2TB+ SSD storage
FRB Pro Tip: The FRB Agent is optimized to connect directly to your local node via WebSocket (ws://localhost:8546) for the fastest possible reaction times.
2. Commercial Providers (QuickNode / Alchemy)
If benchmarks or hardware limits prevent you from running a local node, commercial providers are the next best thing. QuickNode's "Build" plan offers geolocated endpoints that can be very fast if your bot server is in the same AWS region.
However, you still face the "speed of light" penalty over the internet, which adds 20-50ms round-trip time—an eternity in a gas war.
Ready to race?
Don't let a slow RPC connection cost you profits. Download the FRB Agent, connect it to your local node, and start extracting value with millisecond precision.