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Imgur vs Simkl

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

APIImgurNEW—SimklNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
AuthapiKeynone
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedSimkl terms — user-contributed data
Free tierFree tier — API key requiredFree read routes; client_id for search
Rate limitUnpublished1 req/s documented
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Imgur vs Simkl: common questions

Which is more reliable, Imgur or Simkl?

On our scheduled checks, Simkl leads on measured uptime — Imgur at —% versus Simkl at —% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.

Do Imgur and Simkl need an API key?

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

Can I call Imgur and Simkl from the browser?

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

Are Imgur and Simkl free for commercial use?

Imgur has unclear commercial terms, and Simkl 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.