OkSurf vs Shields
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
OkSurf vs Shields: common questions
Which is more reliable, OkSurf or Shields?
Both are neck-and-neck — OkSurf and Shields 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, OkSurf or Shields?
Shields has the lower median latency in our checks — OkSurf responds in 624 ms versus Shields at 30 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 OkSurf and Shields need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — OkSurf is callable with no signup, and Shields is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call OkSurf and Shields from the browser?
Only Shields is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. OkSurf needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are OkSurf and Shields free for commercial use?
OkSurf has unclear commercial terms, and Shields 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.