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Open5e vs SpaceTradersAPI

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

APIOpen5eNEW—SpaceTradersAPINEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseSRD content under OGL 1.0a; API/site MIT-licensedUnverified
Free tierFree, no API key requiredFree tier — key may be required
Rate limitUnpublishedRetry-After: 1s
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Open5e vs SpaceTradersAPI: common questions

Which is more reliable, Open5e or SpaceTradersAPI?

On our scheduled checks, SpaceTradersAPI leads on measured uptime — Open5e at —% versus SpaceTradersAPI 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 Open5e and SpaceTradersAPI need an API key?

Open5e needs no key, while SpaceTradersAPI requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Open5e first.

Can I call Open5e and SpaceTradersAPI from the browser?

Yes — both Open5e and SpaceTradersAPI 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 Open5e and SpaceTradersAPI free for commercial use?

Open5e has unclear commercial terms, and SpaceTradersAPI 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.