NHTSA vs OpenVan
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
NHTSA vs OpenVan: common questions
Which is more reliable, NHTSA or OpenVan?
On our scheduled checks, OpenVan leads on measured uptime — NHTSA at —% versus OpenVan at —% 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 NHTSA and OpenVan need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — NHTSA is callable with no signup, and OpenVan is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call NHTSA and OpenVan from the browser?
Yes — both NHTSA and OpenVan 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 NHTSA and OpenVan free for commercial use?
NHTSA allows commercial use on its free tier, and OpenVan 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.