Cryptocurrency & Blockchain · head to head
MetaMask vs BscScan
MetaMask
Cryptocurrency & Blockchain
The crypto wallet for DeFi, Web3 dApps and NFTs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; BscScan the BscScan API page now redirects to Etherscan's unified multichain API pricing, so BNB Chain data is bought under Etherscan plans rather than a BscScan-specific one
- They diverge on capability: MetaMask covers Wallet Management, BscScan covers Block Explorer.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MetaMask and BscScan actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cryptocurrency & Blockchain).
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 MetaMask
- Wallet Management
- Token Swaps
- Bridge
- dApp Browser
- Portfolio View
- Ethereum
- EVM chains
- Hardware wallets
Only in BscScan
- Block Explorer
- Transaction Tracking
- Token Tracker
- Contract Verification
- Validators Info
- BNB Smart Chain
- BEP-20 tokens
- Api support
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MetaMask
- Walletsnot BscScan
- Web3not BscScan
- Browser Extensionnot BscScan
BscScan
- Exploring BNB Smart Chain transactions, addresses and BEP-20 token transfersnot MetaMask
- Verifying and reading BNB Chain smart contract source codenot MetaMask
- Querying BNB Chain data programmatically through the explorer APInot MetaMask
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
BscScan
- The BscScan API page now redirects to Etherscan's unified multichain API pricing, so BNB Chain data is bought under Etherscan plans rather than a BscScan-specific one
- The free API plan is capped at 3 calls per second and 100,000 calls per day and requires attribution
- API Pro endpoints start at the Standard plan at $199 per month
- 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
Pricing, plan by plan
MetaMask
Free- FreeFree
- Wallet
- Swaps
- Bridge
BscScan
Free- FreeFree
- Block explorer
- 5 API calls/sec
- Token tracker
- Pro$199/month
- Higher rate limits
- Advanced APIs
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose BscScan if
- You need block explorer.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want transaction tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is MetaMask or BscScan better?
- Neither clearly leads. MetaMask starts at Free and BscScan at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MetaMask or BscScan?
- MetaMask starts at Free and BscScan at Free.
- Does MetaMask or BscScan run on more platforms?
- MetaMask runs on Web, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox. BscScan runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use MetaMask for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is MetaMask best used for?
- MetaMask is most often used for wallets, web3, browser extension. Of those, wallets and web3 are not what BscScan is typically brought in for.
- What can MetaMask do that BscScan cannot?
- MetaMask covers Wallet Management, Token Swaps, Bridge, dApp Browser. BscScan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. Both handle Web support.