Lichess vs Open5e
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Lichess vs Open5e: common questions
Which is more reliable, Lichess or Open5e?
On our scheduled checks, Open5e leads on measured uptime — Lichess at —% versus Open5e 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 Lichess and Open5e need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Lichess is callable with no signup, and Open5e is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Lichess and Open5e from the browser?
Yes — both Lichess and Open5e 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 Lichess and Open5e free for commercial use?
Lichess has unclear commercial terms, and Open5e 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.