Data.gov vs Data USA
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Data.gov vs Data USA: common questions
Which is more reliable, Data.gov or Data USA?
Both are neck-and-neck — Data.gov and Data USA each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.
Which is faster, Data.gov or Data USA?
Data USA has the lower median latency in our checks — Data.gov responds in 931 ms versus Data USA at 433 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 Data.gov and Data USA need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Data.gov is callable with no signup, and Data USA is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Data.gov and Data USA from the browser?
Only Data USA is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Data.gov needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are Data.gov and Data USA free for commercial use?
Data.gov has unclear commercial terms, and Data USA 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.