eLife Sciences API vs Scrapfly

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms
P95 · ms
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree tier — API key required
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

eLife Sciences API vs Scrapfly: common questions

Which is more reliable, eLife Sciences API or Scrapfly?

On our scheduled checks, Scrapfly leads on measured uptime — eLife Sciences API at —% versus Scrapfly 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 eLife Sciences API and Scrapfly need an API key?

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

Can I call eLife Sciences API and Scrapfly from the browser?

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

Are eLife Sciences API and Scrapfly free for commercial use?

eLife Sciences API has unclear commercial terms, and Scrapfly 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.