Free Dictionary API vs Shields
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Free Dictionary API vs Shields: common questions
Which is more reliable, Free Dictionary API or Shields?
Both are neck-and-neck — Free Dictionary API and Shields 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, Free Dictionary API or Shields?
Shields has the lower median latency in our checks — Free Dictionary API responds in 674 ms versus Shields at 30 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 Free Dictionary API and Shields need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Free Dictionary API is callable with no signup, and Shields is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Free Dictionary API and Shields from the browser?
Yes — both Free Dictionary API and Shields 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 Shields free for commercial use?
Free Dictionary API has unclear commercial terms, and Shields 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.