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CheapShark vs Steam

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

APICheapSharkNEW—SteamNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — no keyFree, no API key
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished (undocumented endpoint; IP rate-limited)
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

CheapShark vs Steam: common questions

Which is more reliable, CheapShark or Steam?

On our scheduled checks, Steam leads on measured uptime — CheapShark at —% versus Steam 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 CheapShark and Steam need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — CheapShark is callable with no signup, and Steam is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call CheapShark and Steam from the browser?

Only CheapShark is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Steam needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are CheapShark and Steam free for commercial use?

CheapShark has unclear commercial terms, and Steam 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.