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OpenAlex vs USPTO

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

APIOpenAlexNEW—USPTONEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesno
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Rate limitUsage-metered free tier (~$1/day per docs)Unpublished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 USPTO: common questions

Which is more reliable, OpenAlex or USPTO?

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

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

Can I call OpenAlex and USPTO from the browser?

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

Are OpenAlex and USPTO free for commercial use?

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