BlockCypher vs Etherscan
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
BlockCypher vs Etherscan: common questions
Which is more reliable, BlockCypher or Etherscan?
On our scheduled checks, Etherscan leads on measured uptime — BlockCypher at 30.4% versus Etherscan at 99.02% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Which is faster, BlockCypher or Etherscan?
BlockCypher has the lower median latency in our checks — BlockCypher responds in 145 ms versus Etherscan at 660 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.
Do BlockCypher and Etherscan need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — BlockCypher is callable with no signup, and Etherscan is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call BlockCypher and Etherscan from the browser?
Only Etherscan is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. BlockCypher needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are BlockCypher and Etherscan free for commercial use?
BlockCypher has unclear commercial terms, and Etherscan has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.