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MediaCaption API vs Radio Browser

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

APIMediaCaption APIDOCS OK100Radio BrowserHEALTHY90
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%95.8%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms1277504
P95 · ms21012431
AuthapiKeynone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useyesunclear
Data licenseUnverified
Free tier10 credits when you sign upFree and open source — no key
Rate limit60 req/minUnpublished (clients asked to send a descriptive User-Agent)
In directory since2026-07-182026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

MediaCaption API vs Radio Browser: common questions

Which is more reliable, MediaCaption API or Radio Browser?

On our scheduled checks, MediaCaption API leads on measured uptime — MediaCaption API at 100% versus Radio Browser at 95.8% 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, MediaCaption API or Radio Browser?

Radio Browser has the lower median latency in our checks — MediaCaption API responds in 1277 ms versus Radio Browser at 504 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 MediaCaption API and Radio Browser need an API key?

Radio Browser needs no key, while MediaCaption API requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Radio Browser first.

Can I call MediaCaption API and Radio Browser from the browser?

Yes — both MediaCaption API 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 MediaCaption API and Radio Browser free for commercial use?

MediaCaption API allows commercial use on its free tier, 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.