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Crypto · head to head

Etherscan vs Phantom

Etherscan logo

Etherscan

Crypto

The Ethereum blockchain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Phantom logo

Phantom

Crypto

The friendly crypto wallet for Solana and beyond

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; Phantom age requirement of 18 or older to apply for debit card
  • They diverge on capability: Etherscan covers Block Explorer, Phantom covers Wallet.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Etherscan and Phantom actually diverge.

Attributes where Etherscan and Phantom differ
AttributeEtherscanPhantom
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, ApiChrome, Firefox, Ios, Android
Founded20152021

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
  • Web support

Only in Phantom

  • Wallet
  • NFT Gallery
  • Token Swaps
  • Staking
  • dApp Browser
  • Solana
  • Ethereum
  • Polygon

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

Phantom

  • Cryptocurrency trading including spot and perpetual futuresnot Etherscan
  • Prediction markets for trading on cultural and global eventsnot Etherscan
  • Quick money movement between accounts and payment card usagenot Etherscan
  • Advanced terminal access for power tradersnot 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

Phantom

  • Age requirement of 18 or older to apply for debit card
  • Visa debit card fees may apply but specific amounts not disclosed
  • Debit card limited to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Visa acceptance
  • Platform operates as fintech, not a bank, with limited banking protections
  • No disclosed transaction limits or commission rates for trading features
  • Technical specifications and supported blockchains lack documentation

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

Phantom

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Multi-chain wallet
    • NFT gallery
    • Swaps

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 Phantom if

  • You need wallet.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Ios, Android.
  • You also want nft gallery.
Phantom review

Questions people ask

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

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
Phantom: Does Phantom have access to my cryptocurrency funds?

No. Phantom operates on a self-custodial model where you control your funds. The company explicitly states they never have access to your assets.

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
Phantom: What security features does Phantom provide?

Phantom includes scam detection that flags malicious transactions instantly, Ledger hardware wallet integration, transaction transparency so you always know what you're signing, and an open-source blocklist to prevent phishing attacks.

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
Phantom: Does Phantom track my personal information?

No. Phantom prioritizes privacy and states they never track any personally identifiable information or asset balances.

Source
Phantom: What security vulnerabilities qualify for Phantom's bug bounty program?

Phantom offers bug bounty rewards up to $50,000 for discovering vulnerabilities that could result in user fund loss.

Source
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