GLEIF LEI API vs The Guardian

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%50.6%
Uptime · 30d100%0.0%
P50 · ms620517
P95 · ms24722726
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree developer key — registration required
Rate limitUnpublished5000 calls/day (developer tier)
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

GLEIF LEI API vs The Guardian: common questions

Which is more reliable, GLEIF LEI API or The Guardian?

On our scheduled checks, GLEIF LEI API leads on measured uptime — GLEIF LEI API at 100% versus The Guardian at 50.6% 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, GLEIF LEI API or The Guardian?

The Guardian has the lower median latency in our checks — GLEIF LEI API responds in 620 ms versus The Guardian at 517 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 GLEIF LEI API and The Guardian need an API key?

GLEIF LEI API needs no key, while The Guardian requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for GLEIF LEI API first.

Can I call GLEIF LEI API and The Guardian from the browser?

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

Are GLEIF LEI API and The Guardian free for commercial use?

GLEIF LEI API has unclear commercial terms, and The Guardian 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.