Buddy vs Shields
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Buddy vs Shields: common questions
Which is more reliable, Buddy or Shields?
On our scheduled checks, Shields leads on measured uptime — Buddy at —% versus Shields at —% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Do Buddy and Shields need an API key?
Shields needs no key, while Buddy requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Shields first.
Can I call Buddy and Shields from the browser?
Yes — both Buddy and Shields 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 Buddy and Shields free for commercial use?
Buddy has unclear commercial terms, and Shields 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.