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OMDb vs Simkl

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

APIOMDbNEW—SimklNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
AuthapiKeynone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseCommunity-contributed metadataSimkl terms — user-contributed data
Free tier1,000 req/day free keyFree read routes; client_id for search
Rate limitPatron key `trilogy` is shared — cache responses1 req/s documented
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

OMDb vs Simkl: common questions

Which is more reliable, OMDb or Simkl?

On our scheduled checks, Simkl leads on measured uptime — OMDb at —% versus Simkl 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 OMDb and Simkl need an API key?

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

Can I call OMDb and Simkl from the browser?

Yes — both OMDb and Simkl 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 OMDb and Simkl free for commercial use?

OMDb has unclear commercial terms, and Simkl 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.