Cartes.io vs Open Topo Data
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Cartes.io vs Open Topo Data: common questions
Which is more reliable, Cartes.io or Open Topo Data?
On our scheduled checks, Cartes.io leads on measured uptime — Cartes.io at 99.02% versus Open Topo Data at 93.1% 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, Cartes.io or Open Topo Data?
Open Topo Data has the lower median latency in our checks — Cartes.io responds in 612 ms versus Open Topo Data at 285 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 Cartes.io and Open Topo Data need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Cartes.io is callable with no signup, and Open Topo Data is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Cartes.io and Open Topo Data from the browser?
Only Cartes.io is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Open Topo Data needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are Cartes.io and Open Topo Data free for commercial use?
Cartes.io has unclear commercial terms, and Open Topo Data 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.