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Software · head to head

Etherscan vs Argent

Etherscan logo

Etherscan

Software

The Ethereum blockchain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Argent logo

Argent

Software

The smart wallet for DeFi and NFTs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Etherscan the free API plan is capped at 3 calls per second and 100,000 calls per day; Argent renamed Ready, and argent.xyz now redirects to ready.co, so the Argent name is retired
  • They diverge on capability: Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Argent covers Smart Contract Wallet.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Etherscan and Argent actually diverge.

Attributes where Etherscan and Argent differ
AttributeEtherscanArgent
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, ApiIos, Android
Founded20152018

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

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 Etherscan

  • Block Explorer
  • Transaction Tracking
  • Token Tracker
  • Contract Verification
  • Gas Tracker
  • Ethereum mainnet
  • Testnets
  • Web support

Only in Argent

  • Smart Contract Wallet
  • Social Recovery
  • No Seed Phrase
  • Built-in DeFi
  • NFT Support
  • Ethereum
  • zkSync
  • Starknet

What people use each for

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

Etherscan

  • Looking up Ethereum transactions, addresses and token transfers in a block explorernot Argent
  • Reading and verifying deployed smart contract source codenot Argent
  • Pulling on-chain data into an application through the explorer APInot Argent

Argent

  • Self-custodial wallet on mobilenot Etherscan
  • Holding digital dollars under your own controlnot Etherscan
  • Spending through a virtual card with Apple Pay or Google Paynot Etherscan
  • Connecting to dapps through WalletConnectnot Etherscan

Where each one falls short

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

Etherscan

  • The free API plan is capped at 3 calls per second and 100,000 calls per day
  • The free plan requires attribution and covers only selected chains rather than all supported chains
  • API Pro endpoints are withheld below the Standard plan at $199 per month
  • The $49 per month Lite plan raises the rate limit to only 5 calls per second and keeps the same 100,000 calls per day as the free tier
  • 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
  • Metadata CSV export and dedicated support are only in Metadata Enterprise, which is quoted by contact with no published price
  • The 10% and 15% discounts apply only to quarterly and yearly prepayment

Argent

  • Renamed Ready, and argent.xyz now redirects to ready.co, so the Argent name is retired
  • The product has shifted toward community cards and digital dollars rather than being presented purely as a crypto wallet
  • Supported chains are no longer listed on the main site

Pricing, plan by plan

Etherscan

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Block explorer
    • 5 API calls/sec
    • Basic analytics
  • Standard$199/month
    • 10 API calls/sec
    • Advanced APIs
  • Pro$399/month
    • 30 API calls/sec
    • Priority support

Argent

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Smart wallet
    • Social recovery
    • DeFi

Which should you pick?

Choose Etherscan if

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

Choose Argent if

  • You need smart contract wallet.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want social recovery.
Argent review

Questions people ask

Is Etherscan or Argent better?
Neither clearly leads. Etherscan starts at Free and Argent at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Etherscan or Argent?
Etherscan starts at Free and Argent at Free.
Does Etherscan or Argent run on more platforms?
Etherscan runs on Web, Api. Argent runs on Ios, Android.
Can I use Etherscan for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Etherscan best used for?
Etherscan is most often used for looking up ethereum transactions, addresses and token transfers in a block explorer, reading and verifying deployed smart contract source code, pulling on-chain data into an application through the explorer api. Of those, looking up ethereum transactions, addresses and token transfers in a block explorer and reading and verifying deployed smart contract source code are not what Argent is typically brought in for.
What can Etherscan do that Argent cannot?
Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. Argent covers Smart Contract Wallet, Social Recovery, No Seed Phrase, Built-in DeFi.
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