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Open VSX Registry API vs The Guardian

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

APIOpen VSX Registry APIHEALTHY96The GuardianDEAD0
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%50.6%
Uptime · 30d100%0.0%
P50 · ms160517
P95 · ms11232726
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree developer key — registration required
Rate limit10800 req/window · 10799 remaining5000 calls/day (developer tier)
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Open VSX Registry API vs The Guardian: common questions

Which is more reliable, Open VSX Registry API or The Guardian?

On our scheduled checks, Open VSX Registry API leads on measured uptime — Open VSX Registry API at 100% 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.

Which is faster, Open VSX Registry API or The Guardian?

Open VSX Registry API has the lower median latency in our checks — Open VSX Registry API responds in 160 ms versus The Guardian at 517 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 Open VSX Registry API and The Guardian need an API key?

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

Can I call Open VSX Registry API and The Guardian from the browser?

Only Open VSX Registry API 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 Open VSX Registry API and The Guardian free for commercial use?

Open VSX Registry API 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.