- Etherscan:
- Primarily a block explorer and data provider. It offers read-only access to Ethereum blockchain data such as transaction histories, balances, token transfers, and more.
- Does not allow real-time interaction with the blockchain (e.g., sending transactions).
- Ideal for querying historical data and performing analytics on blockchain data.
- Infura:
- Provides full node access to the Ethereum network, allowing developers to interact with the blockchain in real-time.
- Supports read and write operations, such as sending transactions, deploying smart contracts, and interacting with dApps.
- Best for applications that require real-time interaction with Ethereum, such as decentralized apps (dApps).
You should use Etherscan when you need to read data from the Ethereum blockchain, such as querying transaction details, wallet balances, or token transfers. Etherscan is a powerful tool for building blockchain explorers or applications that focus on data analytics.