OpenScan.AI vs Etherscan
Etherscan defined the category. OpenScan.AI is the open-source, AI-powered explorer built for XDC and modern EVM chains — with a free REST API that needs no key.
Feature comparison
| Feature | OpenScan.AI | Etherscan |
|---|---|---|
| Free REST API (no key required) | API key required on all tiers | |
| Open-source / self-hostable | ||
| AI transaction decoding | Coming Q3 2026 | |
| Multi-chain support | ||
| Explorer-as-a-Service (managed hosting) | ||
| White-label branding | Coming Q4 2026 | |
| XDC Network native | ||
| Chain coverage (EVM) | XDC, EVS, Wanchain, Velas | 50+ chains via API v2 |
AI decoding is on the OpenScan.AI roadmap for Phase 3 (Q3 2026) — we list it as coming, not shipped.
API pricing, as of 2026
OpenScan.AI's REST API at xdcscan.io/api-docs is free and requires no API key. Etherscan's published plans (etherscan.io/apis, as of 2026):
| Tier | Price | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 3 calls/sec, up to 100,000 calls/day, selected chains |
| Lite | $49/mo | 5 calls/sec, up to 100,000 calls/day, all supported chains |
| Standard | $199/mo | 10 calls/sec, up to 200,000 calls/day, API Pro endpoints |
| Advanced | $299/mo | 20 calls/sec, up to 500,000 calls/day, API Pro endpoints |
| Professional | $359/mo | 30 calls/sec, up to 1,000,000 calls/day, API Pro endpoints |
Paid-tier prices above are Etherscan's quarterly-billing rates; month rates run higher. See the source page for current numbers.
Where Etherscan wins — honestly
- Chain breadth. Etherscan's API v2 covers 50+ EVM chains today; OpenScan.AI currently serves XDC, EVS, Wanchain, and Velas.
- Ecosystem lock-in. Years of tooling, SDKs, and tutorials assume Etherscan endpoints — our link-replacement guide exists precisely to close that gap.
- Brand trust. If your users already trust the Etherscan name, switching explorers is a product decision, not just a technical one.
Migrating from Etherscan?
OpenScan.AI's API is Blockscout-compatible, so most integrations port with a base-URL change. Follow the migration guide and swap your links in an afternoon.