Lichess vs SpaceTradersAPI
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Lichess vs SpaceTradersAPI: common questions
Which is more reliable, Lichess or SpaceTradersAPI?
On our scheduled checks, SpaceTradersAPI leads on measured uptime — Lichess at 99.02% versus SpaceTradersAPI 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 SpaceTradersAPI?
Lichess has the lower median latency in our checks — Lichess responds in 436 ms versus SpaceTradersAPI at 946 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 SpaceTradersAPI need an API key?
Lichess needs no key, while SpaceTradersAPI requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Lichess first.
Can I call Lichess and SpaceTradersAPI from the browser?
Yes — both Lichess and SpaceTradersAPI 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 SpaceTradersAPI free for commercial use?
Lichess has unclear commercial terms, and SpaceTradersAPI 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.