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FIRST News API vs SnapshotAPI

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

APIFIRST News APIHEALTHY85SnapshotAPIDEAD0
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%6.9%
Uptime · 30d100%0.0%
P50 · ms780396
P95 · ms1595547
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

FIRST News API vs SnapshotAPI: common questions

Which is more reliable, FIRST News API or SnapshotAPI?

On our scheduled checks, FIRST News API leads on measured uptime — FIRST News API at 100% versus SnapshotAPI at 6.9% 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, FIRST News API or SnapshotAPI?

SnapshotAPI has the lower median latency in our checks — FIRST News API responds in 780 ms versus SnapshotAPI at 396 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 FIRST News API and SnapshotAPI need an API key?

FIRST News API needs no key, while SnapshotAPI 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 SnapshotAPI from the browser?

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

Are FIRST News API and SnapshotAPI free for commercial use?

FIRST News API has unclear commercial terms, and SnapshotAPI 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.