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Open5e vs xkcd

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

APIOpen5eNEW—xkcdNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearno
Data licenseSRD content under OGL 1.0a; API/site MIT-licensedCC BY-NC 2.5
Free tierFree, no API key requiredFree, no API key
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Open5e vs xkcd: common questions

Which is more reliable, Open5e or xkcd?

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

Neither needs a paid key — Open5e is callable with no signup, and xkcd is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call Open5e and xkcd from the browser?

Only Open5e is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. xkcd needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are Open5e and xkcd free for commercial use?

Open5e has unclear commercial terms, and xkcd is personal/non-commercial only. 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.