> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sqd.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Accessing a Portal

> Choose between self-hosted and managed SQD Portal endpoints.

When building data pipelines with Portal, you have two options for accessing Portal endpoints:

## Option 1: Self-Hosted Portal

Run your own Portal instance for complete control over your data access infrastructure.

**Best for:**

* Private or custom networks
* Teams with strict data sovereignty requirements
* Maximum control over infrastructure
* Teams prepared to operate RPC, storage, and Portal services

**Key benefits:**

* Complete control over data access
* Capacity controlled by your own infrastructure and SQD Network allocation
* SQD Network history plus real-time data from compatible self-hosted services
* Real-time-only support for custom EVM networks
* Open-source implementation you can audit and modify

<Card title="Self-Hosting Guide" icon="server" href="/en/portal/self-hosting">
  Learn how to deploy your own Portal instance
</Card>

## Option 2: Managed Portal

Use SQD-hosted Portal endpoints for instant access without infrastructure management.

**Best for:**

* Getting started quickly
* Production apps without infrastructure overhead
* Teams who want to focus on building rather than operations

**Key benefits:**

* Instant access, no infrastructure to manage
* Production-ready with high availability
* Free tier available for development
* Access to 200+ networks with zero setup

<Card title="Portal Overview" icon="rocket" href="/en/portal/overview">
  Learn more about managed Portal endpoints
</Card>

## Choosing the Right Option

Both options use the Portal API interface for supported operations. The decision depends on your data sources and operational requirements:

* **Choose self-hosted** if you need control over RPC providers, retention, custom EVM networks, or data-access infrastructure
* **Choose managed** if you want to get started quickly, prefer not to manage infrastructure, or need production-ready endpoints immediately

<Tip>
  Keep dataset names and query shapes consistent when moving between managed
  and self-hosted endpoints. Verify the fields and advanced endpoints supplied
  by the selected archival and real-time sources before cutover.
</Tip>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Self-Hosting Guide" icon="server" href="/en/portal/self-hosting">
    Set up your own Portal instance
  </Card>

  <Card title="Portal Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/en/portal/evm/quickstart">
    Get started with managed endpoints
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


## Related topics

- [Private Portal setup](/en/portal/self-hosting.md)
- [Adding API keys to gateways](/announcements/gateway-api-keys.md)
- [Immutable zkEVM](/en/data/evm/immutable-zkevm-mainnet.md)
- [Ink](/en/data/evm/ink-mainnet.md)
- [LUKSO](/en/data/evm/lukso-mainnet.md)