Software · head to head
Etherscan vs PancakeSwap
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; PancakeSwap no custody of user funds, users must manage wallet security
- They diverge on capability: Etherscan covers Block Explorer, PancakeSwap covers Token Swaps.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Etherscan and PancakeSwap actually diverge.
| Attribute | Etherscan | PancakeSwap |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web |
| Founded | 2015 | 2020 |
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
- Api support
Only in PancakeSwap
- Token Swaps
- Yield Farming
- Syrup Pools
- Lottery
- NFT Marketplace
- CAKE Token
- BNB Chain
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 PancakeSwap
- Reading and verifying deployed smart contract source codenot PancakeSwap
- Pulling on-chain data into an application through the explorer APInot PancakeSwap
PancakeSwap
- Definot Etherscan
- Dexnot Etherscan
- Bnb Chainnot 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
PancakeSwap
- No custody of user funds, users must manage wallet security
- Decentralized governance means limited recourse for issues
- Subject to cryptocurrency market volatility and regulatory uncertainty
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
PancakeSwap
Free- FreeFree
- Token swaps
- Farming
- Lottery
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 PancakeSwap if
- You need token swaps.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want yield farming.
Questions people ask
- Is Etherscan or PancakeSwap better?
- Neither clearly leads. Etherscan starts at Free and PancakeSwap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Etherscan or PancakeSwap?
- Etherscan starts at Free and PancakeSwap at Free.
- Does Etherscan or PancakeSwap run on more platforms?
- Etherscan runs on Web, Api. PancakeSwap runs on Web.
- 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 PancakeSwap is typically brought in for.
- What can Etherscan do that PancakeSwap cannot?
- Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. PancakeSwap covers Token Swaps, Yield Farming, Syrup Pools, Lottery. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
PancakeSwap: What blockchain does PancakeSwap use?
PancakeSwap was launched in September 2020 on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC). The platform also integrated trading services with BNB Chain, Base, and Arbitrum One to expand beyond its original network.
SourcePancakeSwap: What wallets does PancakeSwap support?
PancakeSwap supports several wallet options including MetaMask, Trust Wallet, WalletConnect, and Binance Chain Wallet.
SourceRelated pages
More on PancakeSwap
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