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Crypto · head to head

Bitfinex vs Etherscan

Bitfinex logo

Bitfinex

Crypto

Professional cryptocurrency trading platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Etherscan logo

Etherscan

Crypto

The Ethereum blockchain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bitfinex margin trading requires Intermediate account verification (2-3 working days); Etherscan the free API plan is capped at 3 calls per second and 100,000 calls per day
  • They diverge on capability: Bitfinex covers Spot Trading, Etherscan covers Block Explorer.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitfinex and Etherscan actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitfinex and Etherscan differ
AttributeBitfinexEtherscan
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Api
Founded20122015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Bitfinex

  • Spot Trading
  • Margin Trading
  • Derivatives
  • Lending Marketplace
  • OTC Desk
  • UNUS SED LEO
  • Tether
  • Ios support

Only in Etherscan

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Bitfinex

  • Exchangesnot Etherscan
  • Tradingnot Etherscan
  • Professionalnot Etherscan

Etherscan

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

Where each one falls short

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

Bitfinex

  • Margin trading requires Intermediate account verification (2-3 working days)
  • Automatic liquidation of positions if equity falls below maintenance margin
  • Leverage varies significantly by trading pair with no publicly uniform limit
  • Fiat deposit/withdrawal fees and minimums apply; crypto transfers free but network fees may apply

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitfinex

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Bitfinex review.

Etherscan

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 calls per second rate limit
    • Up to 100,000 API calls per day
    • Selected chains with 90% coverage
  • Lite$49/month
    • 5 calls per second rate limit
    • Up to 100,000 API calls per day
    • All supported chains with community endpoints
  • Standard$199/month
    • 10 calls per second rate limit
    • Up to 200,000 API calls per day
    • API Pro endpoints access
  • Advanced$299/month
    • 20 calls per second rate limit
    • Up to 500,000 API calls per day

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitfinex if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want margin trading.
Bitfinex review

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

Questions people ask

Is Bitfinex or Etherscan better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitfinex starts at Free and Etherscan at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitfinex or Etherscan?
Bitfinex starts at Free and Etherscan at Free.
Does Bitfinex or Etherscan run on more platforms?
Bitfinex runs on Web, Ios, Android. Etherscan runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Bitfinex for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bitfinex best used for?
Bitfinex is most often used for exchanges, trading, professional. Of those, exchanges and trading are not what Etherscan is typically brought in for.
What can Bitfinex do that Etherscan cannot?
Bitfinex covers Spot Trading, Margin Trading, Derivatives, Lending Marketplace. Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bitfinex: What are Bitfinex's current trading fees?

As of December 17, 2025, Bitfinex charges zero maker and taker fees for spot, margin, derivatives, securities, and OTC trading across all customers.

Source
Etherscan: Is Etherscan API free to use?

Etherscan offers a free plan with a 3 calls per second rate limit and up to 100,000 API calls per day. The free tier provides access to selected chains with 90% coverage and requires attribution. Additional premium plans start at $49 per month.

Source
Bitfinex: What deposit and withdrawal fees does Bitfinex charge?

Crypto and securities deposits are free. Fiat deposits via bank wire cost 0.100% (minimum $60 USD/Euro). Fiat withdrawals via bank wire cost 0.100% (minimum $100) or 1.000% for express (minimum $125).

Source
Etherscan: What are Etherscan's rate limits?

Etherscan provides different rate limits based on plan: Free plan allows 3 calls per second, Lite allows 5 calls per second, Standard allows 10 calls per second, Advanced and Professional allow 20-30 calls per second, and Pro Plus allows 30 calls per second with up to 1,500,000 API calls per day.

Source
Bitfinex: What is the maximum leverage available for margin trading?

Bitfinex offers up to 10x leverage on spot margin trading and up to 100x leverage on derivatives contracts. Leverage ratios vary by trading pair.

Source
Etherscan: Can I get a refund for Etherscan API payments?

No. Etherscan explicitly states that all payments made are non-refundable. Accounts are activated within 24 hours for API Pro accounts, and auto-renewal is enabled by default through Stripe.

Source
Bitfinex: What account verification is required for margin trading?

Margin trading requires Intermediate level verification or higher for accounts created after March 1, 2022. Older accounts may use Basic Plus verification.

Source
Bitfinex: What happens if my margin position falls below maintenance requirements?

If account equity falls below the minimum maintenance margin level, Bitfinex automatically liquidates positions. A margin call triggers when equity falls below 1.5x the minimum maintenance margin ratio.

Source
Bitfinex: Can I borrow funds for margin trading?

Yes, Bitfinex Borrow allows you to borrow cryptocurrency or stablecoins for margin trading. Borrowed funds accrue peer-to-peer interest rates that adjust based on market conditions.

Source
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