Bluesky vs Lobsters
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Bluesky vs Lobsters: common questions
Which is more reliable, Bluesky or Lobsters?
On our scheduled checks, Lobsters leads on measured uptime — Bluesky at 97.1% versus Lobsters 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, Bluesky or Lobsters?
Lobsters has the lower median latency in our checks — Bluesky responds in 268 ms versus Lobsters at 243 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 Bluesky and Lobsters need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Bluesky is callable with no signup, and Lobsters is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Bluesky and Lobsters from the browser?
Only Bluesky is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Lobsters needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are Bluesky and Lobsters free for commercial use?
Bluesky has unclear commercial terms, and Lobsters 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.