Best MEV-Boost relay for Ethereum validators
2 models · updated 2026-08-09
The verdict
Ultra Sound Relay leads — All 2 models rank Ultra Sound Relay the top pick.
As of 2026-08-09, Claude and Gemini collectively rank Ultra Sound Relay #1 for mev-boost relay for ethereum validators on ModelsAgree — unanimous among the 2 models that have answered. The models' case: The de facto neutral standard for a typical validator — open-source (built on Flashbots' mev-boost-relay), non-censoring, community-run, and consistently one of the top. The models' main caveat: It's a lean volunteer/community operation, so validators wanting a formal SLA or a commercial support contract won't find one here. The strongest alternative is Titan Relay — Rust-rewritten, performance-focused relay that is non-censoring and supports optimistic relaying for lower latency and higher bid inclusion. Source: https://modelsagree.com/best/best-mev-boost-relay-for-ethereum-validators (modelsagree.com, CC BY 4.0).
Combined ranking
- 1Claude #1Gemini #1
The de facto neutral standard for a typical validator — open-source (built on Flashbots' mev-boost-relay), non-censoring, community-run, and consistently one of the top relays by delivered payload value and market share, with strong public transparency on bids and a clean missed-slot record. Best all-round balance of censorship-resistance, competitive MEV, and reliability.
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Claude The de facto neutral standard for a typical validator — open-source (built on Flashbots' mev-boost-relay), non-censoring, community-run, and consistently one of the top relays by delivered payload value and market share, with strong public transparency on bids and a clean missed-slot record. Best all-round balance of censorship-resistance, competitive MEV, and reliability.
Gemini Market-leading payload volume share (~34%), exceptional low-latency infrastructure, strict non-censoring posture processing all valid transactions, and robust transparent metrics; near-tied with Titan Relay on block value delivery; assumes staker values network neutrality alongside high MEV returns.
Where it falls shortper Claude It's a lean volunteer/community operation, so validators wanting a formal SLA or a commercial support contract won't find one here.
per Gemini Lacks transaction filtering, making it unviable for compliance-mandated institutional validators requiring strict OFAC filtering.
- 2Claude #2Gemini #2
Rust-rewritten, performance-focused relay that is non-censoring and supports optimistic relaying for lower latency and higher bid inclusion; it rapidly earned major market share on merit and competes at the top for delivered value. Excellent for validators optimizing rewards without sacrificing neutrality.
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Claude Rust-rewritten, performance-focused relay that is non-censoring and supports optimistic relaying for lower latency and higher bid inclusion; it rapidly earned major market share on merit and competes at the top for delivered value. Excellent for validators optimizing rewards without sacrificing neutrality.
Gemini Processes ~24% of Ethereum block proposals, delivering high block bid values through direct integration with Titan's dominant builder pipeline; near-tied with Ultra Sound Relay on yield; assumes validator seeks top-tier block rewards and censorship resistance.
Where it falls shortper Claude Younger codebase and optimistic-relay design carry slightly more operational/tail risk than the most battle-tested relays; not for the maximally conservative operator.
per Gemini Creates vertical integration risk due to Titan operating both a top builder and relay, increasing centralization concerns for protocol health.
- 3Claude #3Gemini #5
Independent, minimalist, strictly non-censoring relay run for the health of the ecosystem rather than profit; solid uptime and a good diversity play — running it alongside larger relays reduces reliance on any single operator.
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Claude Independent, minimalist, strictly non-censoring relay run for the health of the ecosystem rather than profit; solid uptime and a good diversity play — running it alongside larger relays reduces reliance on any single operator.
Gemini Independent, public-good, censorship-free relay providing essential infrastructure decentralization and transparent operation without commercial conflicts of interest; assumes validator values community-driven network resilience.
Where it falls shortper Claude Lower bid liquidity than the market leaders, so as a sole relay it can leave some MEV on the table; best used as part of a multi-relay set.
per Gemini Holds lower builder order flow and volume share (~10%), offering lower average block payouts than top-tier commercial competitors.
- 4Claude #5Gemini #4
Gold standard for open-source MEV architecture with unmatched historical reliability, deep integration across validator clients, and foundational research backing; assumes validator prioritizes maximum stability and operational security.
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Gemini Gold standard for open-source MEV architecture with unmatched historical reliability, deep integration across validator clients, and foundational research backing; assumes validator prioritizes maximum stability and operational security.
Claude The original and most battle-tested relay, with the deepest builder ecosystem, reference-implementation reliability, and rock-solid infrastructure — a safe default for operators who prioritize proven uptime above all.
Where it falls shortper Claude Its history of OFAC/compliance filtering and outsized centralizing influence make it a poor choice for validators prioritizing censorship resistance and network neutrality.
per Gemini Enforces OFAC transaction censorship by default and yields lower peak block rewards compared to latency-optimized builder-relay pipelines.
- 5Claude —Gemini #3
Powered by bloXroute's high-speed global BDN infrastructure to consistently secure high MEV block bids and minimize missed slots; assumes validator prioritizes maximum financial return above protocol-level transaction neutrality.
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Gemini Powered by bloXroute's high-speed global BDN infrastructure to consistently secure high MEV block bids and minimize missed slots; assumes validator prioritizes maximum financial return above protocol-level transaction neutrality.
Where it falls shortper Gemini Filters OFAC-sanctioned transactions, making it unusable for stakers adhering to strict non-censorship principles.
- 6Claude #4Gemini —
Non-censoring relay associated with the Gnosis/Agnostic ecosystem, offering credible neutrality and competitive value with a stable operating history; a strong second or third relay for censorship-resistant diversification.
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Claude Non-censoring relay associated with the Gnosis/Agnostic ecosystem, offering credible neutrality and competitive value with a stable operating history; a strong second or third relay for censorship-resistant diversification.
Where it falls shortper Claude Smaller builder connectivity than the top two means it rarely wins the highest bids on its own; a diversifier, not a standalone.
Just missed the top 5
Claude bloXroute — Max Profit can top raw MEV, but its multiple flavors — including the filtering "Regulated" variant — plus commercial centralization undercut it as a neutral default
Gemini Agnostic Relay — Maintains strong non-censoring public-good values, but missed the top 5 due to lower builder connectivity and market payload volume compared to Aestus
By model
Claude
- 1.Ultra Sound Relay
- 2.Titan Relay
- 3.Aestus Relay
- 4.Agnostic Relay
- 5.Flashbots Relay
Gemini
- 1.Ultra Sound Relay
- 2.Titan Relay
- 3.bloXroute Max Profit Relay
- 4.Flashbots Relay
- 5.Aestus Relay
Common questions
What is the best mev-boost relay for ethereum validators according to AI models?
Ultra Sound Relay leads. All 2 models rank Ultra Sound Relay the top pick. The current top 3: Ultra Sound Relay, Titan Relay, Aestus Relay. Ranked by asking Claude, Gemini the same buying question and merging their top-5 picks, updated 2026-08-09. Source: modelsagree.com.
Which mev-boost relay for ethereum validators did each AI model pick first?
Claude: Ultra Sound Relay. Gemini: Ultra Sound Relay.
How is this mev-boost relay for ethereum validators ranking made?
Claude, Gemini are each asked the same buying question in a fresh session with no system steering. Their top-5 answers are merged (rank 1 = 5 pts … rank 5 = 1 pt) into the consensus ranking, re-polled on demand and tracked over time.
More on how polling works: full methodology →
Cite this ranking
ModelsAgree, “Best MEV-Boost relay for Ethereum validators” — merged ranking from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & Grok, polled 2026-08-09. https://modelsagree.com/best/best-mev-boost-relay-for-ethereum-validators (CC BY 4.0)
Tracked by ModelsAgree · rank 1 = 5 pts … rank 5 = 1 pt · re-polled on demand