GBIF vs Newton
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
GBIF vs Newton: common questions
Which is more reliable, GBIF or Newton?
Both are neck-and-neck — GBIF and Newton 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, GBIF or Newton?
Newton has the lower median latency in our checks — GBIF responds in 737 ms versus Newton at 323 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 GBIF and Newton need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — GBIF is callable with no signup, and Newton is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call GBIF and Newton from the browser?
Yes — both GBIF and Newton 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 GBIF and Newton free for commercial use?
GBIF has unclear commercial terms, and Newton 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.