Lichess vs TCGdex
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Lichess vs TCGdex: common questions
Which is more reliable, Lichess or TCGdex?
On our scheduled checks, Lichess leads on measured uptime — Lichess at 99.02% versus TCGdex at 98.0% 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 TCGdex?
TCGdex has the lower median latency in our checks — Lichess responds in 436 ms versus TCGdex at 161 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 TCGdex need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Lichess is callable with no signup, and TCGdex is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Lichess and TCGdex from the browser?
Yes — both Lichess and TCGdex 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 TCGdex free for commercial use?
Lichess has unclear commercial terms, and TCGdex 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.