iNaturalist vs MeowFacts
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
iNaturalist vs MeowFacts: common questions
Which is more reliable, iNaturalist or MeowFacts?
On our scheduled checks, MeowFacts leads on measured uptime — iNaturalist at —% versus MeowFacts 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 iNaturalist and MeowFacts need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — iNaturalist is callable with no signup, and MeowFacts is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call iNaturalist and MeowFacts from the browser?
Yes — both iNaturalist and MeowFacts send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.
Are iNaturalist and MeowFacts free for commercial use?
iNaturalist has unclear commercial terms, and MeowFacts 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.