FIRST News API vs Wikipedia REST
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
FIRST News API vs Wikipedia REST: common questions
Which is more reliable, FIRST News API or Wikipedia REST?
Both are neck-and-neck — FIRST News API and Wikipedia REST 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, FIRST News API or Wikipedia REST?
Wikipedia REST has the lower median latency in our checks — FIRST News API responds in 780 ms versus Wikipedia REST at 98 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 Wikipedia REST need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — FIRST News API is callable with no signup, and Wikipedia REST is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call FIRST News API and Wikipedia REST from the browser?
Yes — both FIRST News API and Wikipedia REST 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 FIRST News API and Wikipedia REST free for commercial use?
FIRST News API has unclear commercial terms, and Wikipedia REST allows commercial use on its free tier. 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.