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Crypto · head to head

Etherscan vs Phemex

Etherscan logo

Etherscan

Crypto

The Ethereum blockchain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Phemex logo

Phemex

Crypto

Break through with crypto

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; Phemex full KYC verification required for complete feature access and higher withdrawal limits
  • They diverge on capability: Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Phemex covers Spot Trading.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Etherscan and Phemex actually diverge.

Attributes where Etherscan and Phemex differ
AttributeEtherscanPhemex
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Mobile
Founded20152019

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 Phemex

  • Spot Trading
  • Contract Trading
  • Copy Trading
  • Earn
  • Launchpad
  • PT Token
  • Ios support
  • Android 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 Phemex
  • Reading and verifying deployed smart contract source codenot Phemex
  • Pulling on-chain data into an application through the explorer APInot Phemex

Phemex

  • Spot trading across 600+ crypto assets with high-speed matchingnot Etherscan
  • Perpetual futures contracts with up to 100x leverage (USDT-M and Coin-M)not Etherscan
  • Automated trading with grid, Martingale, and signal trading botsnot Etherscan
  • Copy trading to mirror top traders' strategiesnot Etherscan
  • Staking and fixed/flexible savings for yield generationnot 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

Phemex

  • Full KYC verification required for complete feature access and higher withdrawal limits
  • Specific trading fees not disclosed on primary page; requires navigation to separate Fees page
  • Leverage trading up to 100x carries high risk; platform requires user understanding of derivatives
  • On-chain trading carries smart contract and liquidity risks

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

Phemex

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Phemex review.

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 Phemex if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want contract trading.
Phemex review

Questions people ask

Is Etherscan or Phemex better?
Neither clearly leads. Etherscan starts at Free and Phemex at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Etherscan or Phemex?
Etherscan starts at Free and Phemex at Free.
Does Etherscan or Phemex run on more platforms?
Etherscan runs on Web, Api. Phemex runs on Web, Mobile.
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 Phemex is typically brought in for.
What can Etherscan do that Phemex cannot?
Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. Phemex covers Spot Trading, Contract Trading, Copy Trading, Earn. 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
Phemex: Are there subscription fees to trade on Phemex?

Phemex operates on a transaction-based fee structure rather than monthly subscriptions. Specific trading fee percentages are not listed on the homepage but are available in the linked Fees and Conditions section.

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
Phemex: Can I practice trading without risking money?

Phemex offers simulated trading through their Testnet at testnet.phemex.com, described as learning to trade with zero risk. This allows users to practice strategies before trading with real funds.

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
Phemex: Does Phemex offer rewards for new users?

New sign-ups receive a welcome bonus of 4,800 USDT worth of rewards. Phemex also offers a referral program providing 50 USDT for successful referrals with 10 USDT per referred friend.

Source
Phemex: What trading features does Phemex include without additional fees?

Core features including spot trading across 600+ crypto assets, futures trading with up to 100x leverage, automated trading bots, copy trading functionality, and Phemex Earn wealth management products are available to all users without indicated tier restrictions.

Source
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