Lichess vs Raider
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Lichess vs Raider: common questions
Which is more reliable, Lichess or Raider?
On our scheduled checks, Raider leads on measured uptime — Lichess at 99.02% versus Raider 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, Lichess or Raider?
Raider has the lower median latency in our checks — Lichess responds in 436 ms versus Raider at 223 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 Lichess and Raider need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Lichess is callable with no signup, and Raider is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Lichess and Raider from the browser?
Yes — both Lichess and Raider 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 Raider free for commercial use?
Lichess has unclear commercial terms, and Raider 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.