FIRST News API vs NewsCatcher
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
FIRST News API vs NewsCatcher: common questions
Which is more reliable, FIRST News API or NewsCatcher?
On our scheduled checks, NewsCatcher leads on measured uptime — FIRST News API at —% versus NewsCatcher 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 FIRST News API and NewsCatcher need an API key?
FIRST News API needs no key, while NewsCatcher requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for FIRST News API first.
Can I call FIRST News API and NewsCatcher from the browser?
Only FIRST News API is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. NewsCatcher needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are FIRST News API and NewsCatcher free for commercial use?
FIRST News API has unclear commercial terms, and NewsCatcher 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.