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Lobsters vs TimeAPI.io

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

APILobstersHEALTHY97TimeAPI.ioHEALTHY87
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%100%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms2431040
P95 · ms11753967
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 TimeAPI.io: common questions

Which is more reliable, Lobsters or TimeAPI.io?

Both are neck-and-neck — Lobsters and TimeAPI.io 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 TimeAPI.io?

Lobsters has the lower median latency in our checks — Lobsters responds in 243 ms versus TimeAPI.io at 1040 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 TimeAPI.io need an API key?

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

Can I call Lobsters and TimeAPI.io from the browser?

Only TimeAPI.io 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 TimeAPI.io free for commercial use?

Lobsters has unclear commercial terms, and TimeAPI.io 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.