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Crypto · head to head

Polygonscan vs The Graph

Polygonscan logo

Polygonscan

Crypto

Polygon PoS chain explorer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Graph logo

The Graph

Crypto

The indexing protocol for Web3

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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 Graph no specific pricing tiers or rates published on homepage or pricing pages
  • They diverge on capability: Polygonscan covers Block Explorer, The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Polygonscan and The Graph actually diverge.

Attributes where Polygonscan and The Graph differ
AttributePolygonscanThe Graph
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
Founded20212018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Polygonscan

  • Block Explorer
  • Transaction Tracking
  • Token Tracker
  • Contract Verification
  • Bridge Monitor
  • Polygon PoS
  • ERC-20 tokens

Only in The Graph

  • Subgraph Indexing
  • GraphQL API
  • Decentralized Network
  • Multi-chain Support
  • GRT Token
  • 30+ chains

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Polygonscan

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

The Graph

  • Decentralized data indexing and querying infrastructurenot Polygonscan
  • Blockchain and Web3 development with subgraphsnot Polygonscan
  • Real-time data availability for distributed applicationsnot Polygonscan

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

The Graph

  • No specific pricing tiers or rates published on homepage or pricing pages
  • Only generic cost-comparison claim provided (60-98% less per month)

Pricing, plan by plan

Polygonscan

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

The Graph

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 100K queries
    • Subgraph Studio
    • Testnet
  • Pay as you go$0.00004/query
    • Unlimited queries
    • Mainnet
    • Multi-chain

Which should you pick?

Choose Polygonscan if

  • You need block explorer.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want transaction tracking.
Polygonscan review

Choose The Graph if

  • You need subgraph indexing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want graphql api.
The Graph review

Questions people ask

Is Polygonscan or The Graph better?
Neither clearly leads. Polygonscan starts at Free and The Graph at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Polygonscan or The Graph?
Polygonscan starts at Free and The Graph at Free.
Does Polygonscan or The Graph run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Polygonscan for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Polygonscan best used for?
Polygonscan is most often used for exploring polygon transactions, addresses and token transfers, verifying and reading polygon smart contract source code, querying polygon on-chain data through the explorer api. Of those, exploring polygon transactions, addresses and token transfers and verifying and reading polygon smart contract source code are not what The Graph is typically brought in for.
What can Polygonscan do that The Graph cannot?
Polygonscan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing, GraphQL API, Decentralized Network, Multi-chain Support. Both handle Web support, Api support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
The Graph: What is The Graph pricing model?

The Graph does not publish specific pricing tiers on its homepage. The platform claims to cost 60-98% less per month compared to running expensive proprietary servers, but exact rates are not provided.

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
The Graph: How do I find detailed pricing for The Graph services?

Detailed pricing information is likely available in product-specific pages (Amp, Subgraphs, Substreams) or in the documentation rather than the homepage. Contact The Graph team or review their documentation for specific cost details.

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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