ColorMagic vs Genius

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d83.9%0.0%
Uptime · 30d51.7%0.0%
P50 · ms267—
P95 · ms3070—
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree tier — API key required
Rate limitUnpublishedRetry-After: 11s
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

ColorMagic vs Genius: common questions

Which is more reliable, ColorMagic or Genius?

On our scheduled checks, ColorMagic leads on measured uptime — ColorMagic at 83.9% versus Genius at 0.0% 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 ColorMagic and Genius need an API key?

ColorMagic needs no key, while Genius requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for ColorMagic first.

Can I call ColorMagic and Genius from the browser?

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

Are ColorMagic and Genius free for commercial use?

ColorMagic has unclear commercial terms, and Genius 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.