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OpenAI API vs USGS Water Services

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

APIOpenAI APIDEAD0USGS Water ServicesHEALTHY82
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d0.0%84.8%
Uptime · 30d0.0%84.5%
P50 · ms—465
P95 · ms—4879
AuthapiKeynone
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearyes
Data licenseUnverifiedPublic domain (U.S. Government work)
Free tierFree tier — API key requiredFree — no API key required
Rate limitRetry-After: 109sUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

OpenAI API vs USGS Water Services: common questions

Which is more reliable, OpenAI API or USGS Water Services?

On our scheduled checks, USGS Water Services leads on measured uptime — OpenAI API at 0.0% versus USGS Water Services at 84.8% 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 OpenAI API and USGS Water Services need an API key?

USGS Water Services needs no key, while OpenAI API requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for USGS Water Services first.

Can I call OpenAI API and USGS Water Services from the browser?

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

Are OpenAI API and USGS Water Services free for commercial use?

OpenAI API has unclear commercial terms, and USGS Water Services allows commercial use on its free tier. 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.