AQICN vs Sunrise-Sunset
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
AQICN vs Sunrise-Sunset: common questions
Which is more reliable, AQICN or Sunrise-Sunset?
On our scheduled checks, AQICN leads on measured uptime — AQICN at 100% versus Sunrise-Sunset 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, AQICN or Sunrise-Sunset?
Sunrise-Sunset has the lower median latency in our checks — AQICN responds in 224 ms versus Sunrise-Sunset at 204 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 AQICN and Sunrise-Sunset need an API key?
Sunrise-Sunset needs no key, while AQICN requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Sunrise-Sunset first.
Can I call AQICN and Sunrise-Sunset from the browser?
Only Sunrise-Sunset is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. AQICN needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are AQICN and Sunrise-Sunset free for commercial use?
AQICN has unclear commercial terms, and Sunrise-Sunset 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.