Free Dictionary API vs Universities List

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%100%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms674510
P95 · ms21962076
Authnonenone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesno
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Free Dictionary API vs Universities List: common questions

Which is more reliable, Free Dictionary API or Universities List?

Both are neck-and-neck — Free Dictionary API and Universities List 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 Universities List?

Universities List has the lower median latency in our checks — Free Dictionary API responds in 674 ms versus Universities List at 510 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 Universities List need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — Free Dictionary API is callable with no signup, and Universities List is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call Free Dictionary API and Universities List from the browser?

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

Are Free Dictionary API and Universities List free for commercial use?

Free Dictionary API has unclear commercial terms, and Universities List 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.