MediaCaption API vs TVDB

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%100%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms1062227
P95 · ms1062610
AuthapiKeyapiKey
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useyesunclear
Data licenseTVDB terms — user-contributed data
Free tier10 credits when you sign upFree personal API key
Rate limit60 req/minUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-182026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

MediaCaption API vs TVDB: common questions

Which is more reliable, MediaCaption API or TVDB?

Both are neck-and-neck — MediaCaption API and TVDB 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, MediaCaption API or TVDB?

TVDB has the lower median latency in our checks — MediaCaption API responds in 1062 ms versus TVDB at 227 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 TVDB need an API key?

Both ask you to authenticate — MediaCaption API uses an API key and TVDB uses an API key. Each key is free to obtain; the Auth and Card-required rows above spell out the signup terms.

Can I call MediaCaption API and TVDB from the browser?

Yes — both MediaCaption API and TVDB 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 TVDB free for commercial use?

MediaCaption API allows commercial use on its free tier, and TVDB 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.