Lobsters vs OpenHolidays API

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%100%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms243533
P95 · ms11753920
Authnonenone
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Lobsters vs OpenHolidays API: common questions

Which is more reliable, Lobsters or OpenHolidays API?

Both are neck-and-neck — Lobsters and OpenHolidays API each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.

Which is faster, Lobsters or OpenHolidays API?

Lobsters has the lower median latency in our checks — Lobsters responds in 243 ms versus OpenHolidays API at 533 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 Lobsters and OpenHolidays API need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — Lobsters is callable with no signup, and OpenHolidays API is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call Lobsters and OpenHolidays API from the browser?

Only OpenHolidays API is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Lobsters needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are Lobsters and OpenHolidays API free for commercial use?

Lobsters has unclear commercial terms, and OpenHolidays API 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.