Free Dictionary API vs New York Times

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms
P95 · ms
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree tier — 500 requests/day
Rate limitUnpublished500 requests/day on free plan
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Free Dictionary API vs New York Times: common questions

Which is more reliable, Free Dictionary API or New York Times?

On our scheduled checks, New York Times leads on measured uptime — Free Dictionary API at —% versus New York Times 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 Free Dictionary API and New York Times need an API key?

Free Dictionary API needs no key, while New York Times requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Free Dictionary API first.

Can I call Free Dictionary API and New York Times from the browser?

Yes — both Free Dictionary API and New York Times 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 Free Dictionary API and New York Times free for commercial use?

Free Dictionary API has unclear commercial terms, and New York Times 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.