Blockchain · head-to-head
Etherscan vs Steem
Etherscan's API exposes the same account balances, transactions, contract source, and gas-tracker data shown on the block explorer, addressed to Ethereum mainnet and its testnets through a single query-parameter-based endpoint. Calls against the older V1 endpoint now return a deprecation notice pointing at the documented V2 migration, so new integrations should build against V2 directly. Free-tier keys cover light use, with paid plans unlocking higher rate limits.
Steem's public JSON-RPC API lets any client read blocks, accounts, and the blogging/social content the chain stores, using the same condenser_api methods the steemit.com frontend calls. The endpoint is HTTPS-only now — the old plain-HTTP address no longer connects — and needs no signup or key for read access. Every route tested returned CORS headers open to browser-based callers.
| Etherscan | Steem | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | API Key | None |
| Pricing | freemium | free |
| Formats | JSON | JSON |
| CORS | yes | yes |
| HTTPS | Yes | Yes |
Steem needs no API key, while Etherscan requires API Key — pick Steem to start without signup.