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Lookup.im API vs Photon API

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

APILookup.im APIHEALTHY84Photon APIHEALTHY91
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d99.02%99.02%
Uptime · 30d100%98.3%
P50 · ms1158710
P95 · ms35811598
AuthapiKeynone
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree tier — API key requiredFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Lookup.im API vs Photon API: common questions

Which is more reliable, Lookup.im API or Photon API?

Both are neck-and-neck — Lookup.im API and Photon API each measure 99.02% 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, Lookup.im API or Photon API?

Photon API has the lower median latency in our checks — Lookup.im API responds in 1158 ms versus Photon API at 710 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 Lookup.im API and Photon API need an API key?

Photon API needs no key, while Lookup.im API requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Photon API first.

Can I call Lookup.im API and Photon API from the browser?

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

Are Lookup.im API and Photon API free for commercial use?

Lookup.im API has unclear commercial terms, and Photon 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.