Archive.org vs Currents
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Archive.org vs Currents: common questions
Which is more reliable, Archive.org or Currents?
On our scheduled checks, Currents leads on measured uptime — Archive.org at 97.1% versus Currents at 100% 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, Archive.org or Currents?
Currents has the lower median latency in our checks — Archive.org responds in 813 ms versus Currents at 586 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 Archive.org and Currents need an API key?
Archive.org needs no key, while Currents requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Archive.org first.
Can I call Archive.org and Currents from the browser?
Only Archive.org is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Currents needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are Archive.org and Currents free for commercial use?
Archive.org has unclear commercial terms, and Currents 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.