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Microlink.io vs The Guardian

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

APIMicrolink.ioDEAD0The GuardianDEAD0
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d0.0%50.6%
Uptime · 30d0.0%0.0%
P50 · ms—517
P95 · ms—2726
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseN/A — returns metadata extracted from the URL you passUnverified
Free tierFree tier — no key required (Pro plans need a key)Free developer key — registration required
Rate limitFree tier is rate-limited per day (see pricing)5000 calls/day (developer tier)
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Microlink.io vs The Guardian: common questions

Which is more reliable, Microlink.io or The Guardian?

On our scheduled checks, The Guardian leads on measured uptime — Microlink.io at 0.0% versus The Guardian at 50.6% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.

Do Microlink.io and The Guardian need an API key?

Microlink.io needs no key, while The Guardian requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Microlink.io first.

Can I call Microlink.io and The Guardian from the browser?

Only Microlink.io is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. The Guardian needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are Microlink.io and The Guardian free for commercial use?

Microlink.io has unclear commercial terms, and The Guardian 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.