Archive.org vs FIRST News API
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Archive.org vs FIRST News API: common questions
Which is more reliable, Archive.org or FIRST News API?
On our scheduled checks, FIRST News API leads on measured uptime — Archive.org at 97.1% versus FIRST News API 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 FIRST News API?
FIRST News API has the lower median latency in our checks — Archive.org responds in 813 ms versus FIRST News API at 780 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 FIRST News API need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Archive.org is callable with no signup, and FIRST News API is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Archive.org and FIRST News API from the browser?
Yes — both Archive.org and FIRST News API send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.
Are Archive.org and FIRST News API free for commercial use?
Archive.org has unclear commercial terms, and FIRST News API 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.