GBIF vs Open Notify
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
GBIF vs Open Notify: common questions
Which is more reliable, GBIF or Open Notify?
On our scheduled checks, GBIF leads on measured uptime — GBIF at 100% versus Open Notify at 71.6% 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, GBIF or Open Notify?
Open Notify has the lower median latency in our checks — GBIF responds in 737 ms versus Open Notify at 241 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 Open Notify need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — GBIF is callable with no signup, and Open Notify is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call GBIF and Open Notify from the browser?
Only GBIF is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Open Notify needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are GBIF and Open Notify free for commercial use?
GBIF has unclear commercial terms, and Open Notify 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.