CheapShark API vs The Guardian
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
CheapShark API vs The Guardian: common questions
Which is more reliable, CheapShark API or The Guardian?
On our scheduled checks, CheapShark API leads on measured uptime — CheapShark API at 98.9% versus The Guardian at 50.6% 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, CheapShark API or The Guardian?
CheapShark API has the lower median latency in our checks — CheapShark API responds in 415 ms versus The Guardian at 517 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 CheapShark API and The Guardian need an API key?
CheapShark API needs no key, while The Guardian requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for CheapShark API first.
Can I call CheapShark API and The Guardian from the browser?
Neither sends browser-friendly CORS headers reliably, so call CheapShark API and The Guardian from a server or proxy rather than client-side. The CORS and HTTPS rows above show exactly what we detected for each.
Are CheapShark API and The Guardian free for commercial use?
CheapShark API has unclear commercial terms, and The Guardian 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.