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Crypto · head to head

BscScan vs The Graph

BscScan logo

BscScan

Crypto

BNB Smart Chain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Graph logo

The Graph

Crypto

The indexing protocol for Web3

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BscScan the BscScan API page now redirects to Etherscan's unified multichain API pricing, so BNB Chain data is bought under Etherscan plans rather than a BscScan-specific one; The Graph no specific pricing tiers or rates published on homepage or pricing pages
  • They diverge on capability: BscScan covers Block Explorer, The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BscScan and The Graph actually diverge.

Attributes where BscScan and The Graph differ
AttributeBscScanThe Graph
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
Founded20202018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Api), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Crypto).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in BscScan

  • Block Explorer
  • Transaction Tracking
  • Token Tracker
  • Contract Verification
  • Validators Info
  • BNB Smart Chain
  • BEP-20 tokens

Only in The Graph

  • Subgraph Indexing
  • GraphQL API
  • Decentralized Network
  • Multi-chain Support
  • GRT Token
  • 30+ chains

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

BscScan

  • Exploring BNB Smart Chain transactions, addresses and BEP-20 token transfersnot The Graph
  • Verifying and reading BNB Chain smart contract source codenot The Graph
  • Querying BNB Chain data programmatically through the explorer APInot The Graph

The Graph

  • Decentralized data indexing and querying infrastructurenot BscScan
  • Blockchain and Web3 development with subgraphsnot BscScan
  • Real-time data availability for distributed applicationsnot BscScan

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

BscScan

  • The BscScan API page now redirects to Etherscan's unified multichain API pricing, so BNB Chain data is bought under Etherscan plans rather than a BscScan-specific one
  • The free API plan is capped at 3 calls per second and 100,000 calls per day and requires attribution
  • API Pro endpoints start at the Standard plan at $199 per month
  • Rate limits top out at 30 calls per second even on the $899 per month Pro Plus plan
  • The Address Metadata endpoint requires Pro Plus at $899 per month and is limited to one app license

The Graph

  • No specific pricing tiers or rates published on homepage or pricing pages
  • Only generic cost-comparison claim provided (60-98% less per month)

Pricing, plan by plan

BscScan

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Block explorer
    • 5 API calls/sec
    • Token tracker
  • Pro$199/month
    • Higher rate limits
    • Advanced APIs

The Graph

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 100K queries
    • Subgraph Studio
    • Testnet
  • Pay as you go$0.00004/query
    • Unlimited queries
    • Mainnet
    • Multi-chain

Which should you pick?

Choose BscScan if

  • You need block explorer.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want transaction tracking.
BscScan review

Choose The Graph if

  • You need subgraph indexing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want graphql api.
The Graph review

Questions people ask

Is BscScan or The Graph better?
Neither clearly leads. BscScan starts at Free and The Graph at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BscScan or The Graph?
BscScan starts at Free and The Graph at Free.
Does BscScan or The Graph run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use BscScan for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is BscScan best used for?
BscScan is most often used for exploring bnb smart chain transactions, addresses and bep-20 token transfers, verifying and reading bnb chain smart contract source code, querying bnb chain data programmatically through the explorer api. Of those, exploring bnb smart chain transactions, addresses and bep-20 token transfers and verifying and reading bnb chain smart contract source code are not what The Graph is typically brought in for.
What can BscScan do that The Graph cannot?
BscScan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing, GraphQL API, Decentralized Network, Multi-chain Support. Both handle Web support, Api support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

The Graph: What is The Graph pricing model?

The Graph does not publish specific pricing tiers on its homepage. The platform claims to cost 60-98% less per month compared to running expensive proprietary servers, but exact rates are not provided.

Source
The Graph: How do I find detailed pricing for The Graph services?

Detailed pricing information is likely available in product-specific pages (Amp, Subgraphs, Substreams) or in the documentation rather than the homepage. Contact The Graph team or review their documentation for specific cost details.

Source
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