Software · head to head
The Graph vs BscScan
The short version
- Each has a real cost: The Graph subgraph Studio's free tier caps at 100,000 queries per month; usage beyond that is billed at $2 per 100,000 queries; 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: The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing, BscScan covers Block Explorer.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which The Graph and BscScan actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Api), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 The Graph
- Subgraph Indexing
- GraphQL API
- Decentralized Network
- Multi-chain Support
- GRT Token
- 30+ chains
Only in BscScan
- Block Explorer
- Transaction Tracking
- Token Tracker
- Contract Verification
- Validators Info
- BNB Smart Chain
- BEP-20 tokens
Both cover
- Web support
- Api support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
The Graph
- Indexing and querying blockchain data through subgraphs across 60+ networksnot BscScan
BscScan
- Exploring BNB Smart Chain transactions, addresses and BEP-20 token transfersnot The Graph
- Verifying and reading BNB Chain smart contract source codenot The Graph
- Querying BNB Chain data programmatically through the explorer APInot The Graph
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
The Graph
- Subgraph Studio's free tier caps at 100,000 queries per month; usage beyond that is billed at $2 per 100,000 queries
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
The Graph
Free- Free TierFree
- 100K queries
- Subgraph Studio
- Testnet
- Pay as you go$0.00004/query
- Unlimited queries
- Mainnet
- Multi-chain
BscScan
Free- FreeFree
- Block explorer
- 5 API calls/sec
- Token tracker
- Pro$199/month
- Higher rate limits
- Advanced APIs
Which should you pick?
Choose The Graph if
- You need subgraph indexing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want graphql api.
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 The Graph or BscScan better?
- Neither clearly leads. The Graph 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, The Graph or BscScan?
- The Graph starts at Free and BscScan at Free.
- Does The Graph or BscScan run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use The Graph for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is The Graph best used for?
- The Graph is most often used for indexing and querying blockchain data through subgraphs across 60+ networks. Of those, indexing and querying blockchain data through subgraphs across 60+ networks is not what BscScan is typically brought in for.
- What can The Graph do that BscScan cannot?
- The Graph covers Subgraph Indexing, GraphQL API, Decentralized Network, Multi-chain Support. BscScan covers Block Explorer, Transaction Tracking, Token Tracker, Contract Verification. Both handle Web support, Api support.