BriefTape vs Municipal Finance API

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d99.02%96.1%
Uptime · 30d98.3%98.3%
P50 · ms10212094
P95 · ms44092952
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 Municipal Finance API: common questions

Which is more reliable, BriefTape or Municipal Finance API?

On our scheduled checks, BriefTape leads on measured uptime — BriefTape at 99.02% versus Municipal Finance API at 96.1% 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, BriefTape or Municipal Finance API?

BriefTape has the lower median latency in our checks — BriefTape responds in 1021 ms versus Municipal Finance API at 2094 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 Municipal Finance API need an API key?

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

Can I call BriefTape and Municipal Finance API from the browser?

Yes — both BriefTape and Municipal Finance 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 BriefTape and Municipal Finance API free for commercial use?

BriefTape has unclear commercial terms, and Municipal Finance 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.