BriefTape vs MetalpriceAPI
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
BriefTape vs MetalpriceAPI: common questions
Which is more reliable, BriefTape or MetalpriceAPI?
Both are neck-and-neck — BriefTape and MetalpriceAPI each measure 98.9% 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 MetalpriceAPI?
MetalpriceAPI has the lower median latency in our checks — BriefTape responds in 726 ms versus MetalpriceAPI at 128 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 MetalpriceAPI need an API key?
Both ask you to authenticate — BriefTape uses an API key and MetalpriceAPI uses an API key. Each key is free to obtain; the Auth and Card-required rows above spell out the signup terms.
Can I call BriefTape and MetalpriceAPI from the browser?
Yes — both BriefTape and MetalpriceAPI 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 MetalpriceAPI free for commercial use?
BriefTape has unclear commercial terms, and MetalpriceAPI 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.