Archive.org vs Datamuse

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d97.1%92.2%
Uptime · 30d96.7%86.7%
P50 · ms813180
P95 · ms2764926
Authnonenone
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverified (rights vary per item)Unverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Archive.org vs Datamuse: common questions

Which is more reliable, Archive.org or Datamuse?

On our scheduled checks, Archive.org leads on measured uptime — Archive.org at 97.1% versus Datamuse at 92.2% 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 Datamuse?

Datamuse has the lower median latency in our checks — Archive.org responds in 813 ms versus Datamuse at 180 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 Datamuse need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — Archive.org is callable with no signup, and Datamuse is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call Archive.org and Datamuse from the browser?

Only Archive.org is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Datamuse needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are Archive.org and Datamuse free for commercial use?

Archive.org has unclear commercial terms, and Datamuse 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.