BriefTape vs Exchangerate.host

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d99.02%99.02%
Uptime · 30d98.3%98.3%
P50 · ms1021398
P95 · ms44093637
AuthapiKeynone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree tier — API key requiredFree — limits not published
Rate limit10000 req/window · 9381 remaining · resets 1783555200Unpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

BriefTape vs Exchangerate.host: common questions

Which is more reliable, BriefTape or Exchangerate.host?

Both are neck-and-neck — BriefTape and Exchangerate.host each measure 99.02% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.

Which is faster, BriefTape or Exchangerate.host?

Exchangerate.host has the lower median latency in our checks — BriefTape responds in 1021 ms versus Exchangerate.host at 398 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 BriefTape and Exchangerate.host need an API key?

Exchangerate.host needs no key, while BriefTape requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Exchangerate.host first.

Can I call BriefTape and Exchangerate.host from the browser?

Yes — both BriefTape and Exchangerate.host 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 BriefTape and Exchangerate.host free for commercial use?

BriefTape has unclear commercial terms, and Exchangerate.host 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.