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Crypto · head to head

Etherscan vs OKX

Etherscan logo

Etherscan

Crypto

The Ethereum blockchain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
OKX logo

OKX

Crypto

Trade crypto with confidence

From
Free
Rated
-

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; OKX withdrawal fees are dynamic and vary based on network conditions
  • They diverge on capability: Etherscan covers Block Explorer, OKX covers Spot Trading.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Etherscan and OKX actually diverge.

Attributes where Etherscan and OKX differ
AttributeEtherscanOKX
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20152017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 OKX

  • Spot Trading
  • Derivatives
  • DeFi
  • NFT Marketplace
  • Web3 Wallet
  • OKB Token
  • OKX Chain
  • Ios support

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

OKX

  • Cryptocurrency spot and derivatives trading with 280+ cryptocurrenciesnot Etherscan
  • Web3 wallet and decentralised finance services for DeFi participantsnot 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

OKX

  • Withdrawal fees are dynamic and vary based on network conditions
  • Subject to regulatory restrictions by jurisdiction; availability limited in some countries

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

OKX

Free
  • StandardFree
    • Spot trading
    • Derivatives
    • DeFi
  • VIPFree
    • Reduced fees
    • Priority support
    • Higher limits

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.

Choose OKX if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want derivatives.

Questions people ask

Is Etherscan or OKX better?
Neither clearly leads. Etherscan starts at Free and OKX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Etherscan or OKX?
Etherscan starts at Free and OKX at Free.
Does Etherscan or OKX run on more platforms?
Etherscan runs on Web, Api. OKX runs on Web, 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 OKX is typically brought in for.
What can Etherscan do that OKX cannot?
Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. OKX covers Spot Trading, Derivatives, DeFi, NFT Marketplace. 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
OKX: What are OKX's trading fees?

OKX markets its platform with high execution speed and low fees, plus powerful APIs, but specific fee percentages and cost structures are not disclosed on the main website. Users must visit the platform directly to find detailed fee schedules.

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
OKX: How many cryptocurrencies can you trade on OKX?

OKX provides access to 280+ cryptocurrencies and over 480 trading pairs, supporting direct AED and USD deposits and withdrawals.

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
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