GBIF vs USPTO
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
GBIF vs USPTO: common questions
Which is more reliable, GBIF or USPTO?
Both are neck-and-neck — GBIF and USPTO 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 USPTO?
GBIF has the lower median latency in our checks — GBIF responds in 737 ms versus USPTO at 1141 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 USPTO need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — GBIF is callable with no signup, and USPTO is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call GBIF and USPTO from the browser?
Only GBIF is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. USPTO needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are GBIF and USPTO free for commercial use?
GBIF has unclear commercial terms, and USPTO 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.