CheapShark vs Scryfall
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
CheapShark vs Scryfall: common questions
Which is more reliable, CheapShark or Scryfall?
On our scheduled checks, Scryfall leads on measured uptime — CheapShark at 95.1% versus Scryfall 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, CheapShark or Scryfall?
Scryfall has the lower median latency in our checks — CheapShark responds in 1975 ms versus Scryfall at 470 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 and Scryfall need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — CheapShark is callable with no signup, and Scryfall is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call CheapShark and Scryfall from the browser?
Yes — both CheapShark and Scryfall 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 CheapShark and Scryfall free for commercial use?
CheapShark has unclear commercial terms, and Scryfall 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.