How to Use Etherscan and Solscan: Blockchain Explorer Tutorial 2026
— By Tony Rabbit in Tutorials
Discover how to use Etherscan and Solscan effectively! Track transactions, verify contracts, and research tokens. Start exploring blockchain today!
Every transaction on a blockchain is public and verifiable. Etherscan and Solscan are the tools that let you explore this data - track transactions, verify smart contracts, check wallet activity, and research tokens.
Whether you are verifying a payment, researching a new token, or tracking whale activity, this tutorial teaches you how to use blockchain explorers like a pro.
What Are Blockchain Explorers?
Blockchain explorers are search engines for blockchains. They let you look up:
- Transactions - verify payments, check status, see gas fees paid
- Wallet addresses - view any wallet's balance and transaction history
- Smart contracts - read contract code, check verification status
- Tokens - see total supply, holder count, transfers
- Blocks - explore individual blocks and their contents
Etherscan: The Ethereum Explorer
Etherscan contract page showing a verified token with Read Contract and Write Contract tabs - key tools for checking token safety.
How to Track a Transaction
- Go to etherscan.io
- Paste the transaction hash (TxHash) in the search bar
- View the transaction details: status (Success/Failed), from/to addresses, value, gas fee
- Status: Success means the transaction went through
- Status: Failed means it reverted (you still pay gas)
How to Check a Wallet Address
- Paste any Ethereum wallet address in the Etherscan search bar
- See the ETH balance and complete transaction history
- Click Token Holdings to see all ERC-20 tokens in the wallet
- Click Token Transfers to see incoming and outgoing token movements
- Use this to track whale wallets and smart money
How to Verify a Smart Contract
Before interacting with any DeFi protocol or buying a token, check the contract:
- Search for the token or contract address on Etherscan
- Click the Contract tab
- Look for the green checkmark - this means the source code is verified
- Unverified contracts are a red flag - proceed with caution
- Click Read Contract to see key functions (owner, total supply, etc.)
How to Check Token Safety
- Holder distribution - click "Holders" tab to see if top wallets hold too much (whale concentration risk)
- Contract verified - unverified contracts are higher risk
- Proxy contracts - upgradeable proxies can change behavior after deployment
- Transfer tax - some scam tokens have hidden sell taxes
Combine Etherscan research with automated contract scanners for the most complete safety check.
Solscan: The Solana Explorer
Solscan is the go-to blockchain explorer for the Solana ecosystem - search transactions, wallets, tokens, and programs.
How to Track a Solana Transaction
- Go to solscan.io
- Paste the transaction signature in the search bar
- View the transaction details: status, instructions, fee, timestamp
- Solana transactions are more complex than Ethereum - they contain multiple "instructions"
How to Research a Solana Token
- Search for the token name or mint address on Solscan
- Check the token overview - supply, decimals, authority
- Look at Mint Authority - if not revoked, the creator can mint more tokens (risk)
- Check Freeze Authority - if active, the creator can freeze your tokens (major risk)
- Review holder distribution for whale concentration
Explorer Comparison Table
FeatureEtherscan (Ethereum)Solscan (Solana)
| Feature | Etherscan (Ethereum) | Solscan (Solana) |
|---|---|---|
| Search by | Address, TX hash, token, ENS | Address, TX sig, token, program |
| Contract verification | Full source code | Program verification |
| Token safety checks | Holders, transfers, code | Mint/Freeze authority, holders |
| Gas/Fee tracking | Gas price and usage | Compute units and priority fees |
| DeFi data | Token approvals, DEX trades | Program interactions, SPL transfers |
| API available | Yes (free tier) | Yes (free tier) |
Other Blockchain Explorers
- Arbiscan - Arbitrum explorer (arbiscan.io)
- Basescan - Base explorer (basescan.org)
- Polygonscan - Polygon explorer (polygonscan.com)
- BscScan - BNB Chain explorer (bscscan.com)
All work similarly to Etherscan - same search functionality, same transaction details format.
Pro Tips for Using Blockchain Explorers
- Bookmark your wallet address - quickly check your own transactions
- Set up Etherscan alerts - get notified when a watched address makes a transaction
- Check approvals - use Etherscan's Token Approval Checker or Revoke.cash to manage permissions
- Use the API - automate wallet tracking with the free Etherscan API
- Compare with DEXTools - use DEXTools for chart data and explorer for on-chain verification
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Etherscan free to use?
Yes, Etherscan is completely free for manual browsing. They also offer a free API tier with rate limits for developers. Premium API plans are available for higher rate limits and additional data.
Can I see who owns a wallet on Etherscan?
Blockchain addresses are pseudonymous - Etherscan shows the address and its activity but not the owner's identity. Some addresses are labeled (exchanges, known contracts) but most personal wallets are anonymous.
How do I check if a transaction went through?
Paste the transaction hash on Etherscan. If the status shows "Success" with a green checkmark, the transaction completed. "Pending" means it is still being processed. "Failed" means it reverted.
What is the Solana equivalent of Etherscan?
Solscan (solscan.io) is the most popular Solana explorer, similar to Etherscan. Solana Explorer (explorer.solana.com) is the official alternative. Both show transactions, tokens, and account data on Solana.
How do I check if a token is a scam using Etherscan?
Check if the contract is verified (green checkmark), review holder distribution (top 10 holders should not control more than 50%), look for suspicious functions in the contract code, and cross-reference with contract scanning tools for automated safety analysis.
Disclaimer: Blockchain explorers show on-chain data but cannot determine intent. Always combine explorer research with other analysis tools. DYOR before trading any token.
Related: Smart Contract Scanners | Whale Tracking | DEX Analytics Tools