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Crypto · head to head

Etherscan vs MetaMask

Etherscan logo

Etherscan

Crypto

The Ethereum blockchain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MetaMask logo

MetaMask

Crypto

The crypto wallet for DeFi, Web3 dApps 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; MetaMask metaMask's source code is publicly viewable on GitHub but is covered by a proprietary ConsenSys license that prohibits redistribution, modification, merging, or reverse engineering; it is not open source
  • They diverge on capability: Etherscan covers Block Explorer, MetaMask covers Wallet Management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Etherscan and MetaMask actually diverge.

Attributes where Etherscan and MetaMask differ
AttributeEtherscanMetaMask
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox
Founded20152016

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 Etherscan

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

Only in MetaMask

  • Wallet Management
  • Token Swaps
  • Bridge
  • dApp Browser
  • Portfolio View
  • Ethereum
  • EVM chains
  • Hardware wallets

Both cover

  • Web support

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 MetaMask
  • Reading and verifying deployed smart contract source codenot MetaMask
  • Pulling on-chain data into an application through the explorer APInot MetaMask

MetaMask

  • Walletsnot Etherscan
  • Web3not Etherscan
  • Browser Extensionnot 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

MetaMask

  • MetaMask's source code is publicly viewable on GitHub but is covered by a proprietary ConsenSys license that prohibits redistribution, modification, merging, or reverse engineering; it is not open source

Pricing, plan by plan

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

MetaMask

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Wallet
    • Swaps
    • Bridge

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 MetaMask if

  • You need wallet management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
  • You also want token swaps.
MetaMask review

Questions people ask

Is Etherscan or MetaMask better?
Neither clearly leads. Etherscan starts at Free and MetaMask at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Etherscan or MetaMask?
Etherscan starts at Free and MetaMask at Free.
Does Etherscan or MetaMask run on more platforms?
Etherscan runs on Web, Api. MetaMask runs on Web, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
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 MetaMask is typically brought in for.
What can Etherscan do that MetaMask cannot?
Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. MetaMask covers Wallet Management, Token Swaps, Bridge, dApp Browser. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
MetaMask: What is the APY rate for MetaMask's Money account?

The Money account offers up to 6% variable APY through September 30, 2024, then up to 4% variable APY after the promotional period. Rates are variable and not guaranteed, fluctuating based on market conditions.

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
MetaMask: Are there fees to open or maintain a MetaMask Money account?

No, account opening and account maintenance are free. Stablecoin to mUSD conversion happens at 1:1 parity with no conversion fees, though other conversions and additional services may have fees.

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
MetaMask: Can I withdraw funds from MetaMask Money without penalties?

Yes, there are no withdrawal fees from MetaMask, no lockups, no notice periods, and no penalties for withdrawal. However, users are responsible for gas fees and applicable taxes.

Source
MetaMask: Is MetaMask Money available globally?

MetaMask Money is available globally except in the UK and countries on the USA sanctions list.

Source
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