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Archive.org vs Mediastack

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

APIArchive.orgHEALTHY65MediastackHEALTHY93
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d97.1%100%
Uptime · 30d96.7%100%
P50 · ms813449
P95 · ms27641356
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverified (rights vary per item)Unverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree tier — key may be required
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Archive.org vs Mediastack: common questions

Which is more reliable, Archive.org or Mediastack?

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

Mediastack has the lower median latency in our checks — Archive.org responds in 813 ms versus Mediastack at 449 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 Mediastack need an API key?

Archive.org needs no key, while Mediastack requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Archive.org first.

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

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

Are Archive.org and Mediastack free for commercial use?

Archive.org has unclear commercial terms, and Mediastack 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.