Fixer API vs The Guardian
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Fixer API vs The Guardian: common questions
Which is more reliable, Fixer API or The Guardian?
On our scheduled checks, Fixer API leads on measured uptime — Fixer API at 99.02% versus The Guardian at 98.0% 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, Fixer API or The Guardian?
Fixer API has the lower median latency in our checks — Fixer API responds in 448 ms versus The Guardian at 742 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 Fixer API and The Guardian need an API key?
Both ask you to authenticate — Fixer API uses an API key and The Guardian uses an API key. Each key is free to obtain; the Auth and Card-required rows above spell out the signup terms.
Can I call Fixer API and The Guardian from the browser?
Only The Guardian is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Fixer API needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are Fixer API and The Guardian free for commercial use?
Fixer API has unclear commercial terms, and The Guardian 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.