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Crypto · head to head

Etherscan vs Polygonscan

Etherscan logo

Etherscan

Crypto

The Ethereum blockchain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Polygonscan logo

Polygonscan

Crypto

Polygon PoS chain explorer

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; Polygonscan the PolygonScan API page now redirects to Etherscan's unified multichain API pricing, so Polygon data is bought under Etherscan plans rather than a PolygonScan-specific one
  • They diverge on capability: Etherscan covers Gas Tracker, Polygonscan covers Bridge Monitor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Etherscan and Polygonscan actually diverge.

Attributes where Etherscan and Polygonscan differ
AttributeEtherscanPolygonscan
Founded20152021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Api), 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

  • Gas Tracker
  • Ethereum mainnet
  • Testnets

Only in Polygonscan

  • Bridge Monitor
  • Polygon PoS
  • ERC-20 tokens

Both cover

  • Block Explorer
  • Transaction Tracking
  • Token Tracker
  • Contract Verification
  • Web support
  • Api 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 Polygonscan
  • Reading and verifying deployed smart contract source codenot Polygonscan
  • Pulling on-chain data into an application through the explorer APInot Polygonscan

Polygonscan

  • Exploring Polygon transactions, addresses and token transfersnot Etherscan
  • Verifying and reading Polygon smart contract source codenot Etherscan
  • Querying Polygon on-chain data through the explorer APInot 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

Polygonscan

  • The PolygonScan API page now redirects to Etherscan's unified multichain API pricing, so Polygon data is bought under Etherscan plans rather than a PolygonScan-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
  • Metadata CSV export and dedicated support require Metadata Enterprise, which is quoted by contact with no published price

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

Polygonscan

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Block explorer
    • 5 API calls/sec
    • Token tracker
  • Pro$199/month
    • Higher rate limits
    • Advanced APIs

Which should you pick?

Choose Etherscan if

  • You need gas tracker.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want ethereum mainnet.
Etherscan review

Choose Polygonscan if

  • You need bridge monitor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want polygon pos.
Polygonscan review

Questions people ask

Is Etherscan or Polygonscan better?
Neither clearly leads. Etherscan starts at Free and Polygonscan at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Etherscan or Polygonscan?
Etherscan starts at Free and Polygonscan at Free.
Does Etherscan or Polygonscan run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Polygonscan is typically brought in for.
What can Etherscan do that Polygonscan cannot?
Etherscan covers Gas Tracker, Ethereum mainnet, Testnets. Polygonscan covers Bridge Monitor, Polygon PoS, ERC-20 tokens. Both handle Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification.

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
Polygonscan: Does Polygonscan have a free API tier?

Yes. Polygonscan redirects to Etherscan's API pricing, which offers a free tier with 3 calls/second limit and up to 100,000 API calls/day on selected chains. Attribution is required for the free tier.

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
Polygonscan: What are the paid API tiers and their costs?

Etherscan offers six paid tiers: Lite ($49/month), Standard ($199), Advanced ($299), Professional ($399), Pro Plus ($899), and Dedicated (custom). All tiers offer discounts for quarterly (10%) or annual (15%) billing.

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
Polygonscan: What request limits apply to each tier?

Lite allows 5 calls/second and 100,000 daily calls. Standard provides 10 calls/second and 200,000 daily calls. Advanced offers 20 calls/second and 500,000 daily calls. Professional allows 30 calls/second and 1,000,000 daily calls. Pro Plus supports 30 calls/second and 1,500,000 daily calls. Dedicated offers unmetered calls.

Source
Polygonscan: Are subscriptions auto-renewed and can I get a refund?

Stripe billing auto-renews by default unless canceled before the renewal date. Payments are non-refundable and the provider does not issue refunds or credits.

Source
Polygonscan: Is there a minimum contract or can I cancel anytime?

No minimum contract is stated. Users can cancel anytime before renewal, though payments already made are non-refundable.

Source
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