MCU Countdown vs Radio Browser
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
MCU Countdown vs Radio Browser: common questions
Which is more reliable, MCU Countdown or Radio Browser?
On our scheduled checks, MCU Countdown leads on measured uptime — MCU Countdown at 100% versus Radio Browser at 95.1% 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, MCU Countdown or Radio Browser?
MCU Countdown has the lower median latency in our checks — MCU Countdown responds in 400 ms versus Radio Browser at 556 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 MCU Countdown and Radio Browser need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — MCU Countdown is callable with no signup, and Radio Browser is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call MCU Countdown and Radio Browser from the browser?
Yes — both MCU Countdown and Radio Browser 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 MCU Countdown and Radio Browser free for commercial use?
MCU Countdown has unclear commercial terms, and Radio Browser 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.