IMDbOT vs TVDB

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d25.5%100%
Uptime · 30d0.0%100%
P50 · ms1208306
P95 · ms17391549
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedTVDB terms — user-contributed data
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree personal API key
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

IMDbOT vs TVDB: common questions

Which is more reliable, IMDbOT or TVDB?

On our scheduled checks, TVDB leads on measured uptime — IMDbOT at 25.5% versus TVDB at 100% 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, IMDbOT or TVDB?

TVDB has the lower median latency in our checks — IMDbOT responds in 1208 ms versus TVDB at 306 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 IMDbOT and TVDB need an API key?

IMDbOT needs no key, while TVDB requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for IMDbOT first.

Can I call IMDbOT and TVDB from the browser?

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

Are IMDbOT and TVDB free for commercial use?

IMDbOT has unclear commercial terms, and TVDB 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.