Cross Universe vs Lichess
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Cross Universe vs Lichess: common questions
Which is more reliable, Cross Universe or Lichess?
On our scheduled checks, Cross Universe leads on measured uptime — Cross Universe at 100% versus Lichess at 99.02% 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, Cross Universe or Lichess?
Cross Universe has the lower median latency in our checks — Cross Universe responds in 40 ms versus Lichess at 436 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 Cross Universe and Lichess need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Cross Universe is callable with no signup, and Lichess is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Cross Universe and Lichess from the browser?
Yes — both Cross Universe and Lichess 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 Cross Universe and Lichess free for commercial use?
Cross Universe has unclear commercial terms, and Lichess 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.