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OpenAlex vs TLE

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

APIOpenAlexNEW—TLENEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useyesunclear
Data licenseCC0Unverified
Free tierFree tier (~$1/day of usage); free API key available for moreFree — limits not published
Rate limitUsage-metered free tier (~$1/day per docs)Unpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

OpenAlex vs TLE: common questions

Which is more reliable, OpenAlex or TLE?

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

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

Can I call OpenAlex and TLE from the browser?

Yes — both OpenAlex and TLE 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 OpenAlex and TLE free for commercial use?

OpenAlex allows commercial use on its free tier, and TLE 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.