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OpenCorporates vs Shields

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

APIOpenCorporatesNEW—ShieldsNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
AuthapiKeynone
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree tier — API key requiredFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

OpenCorporates vs Shields: common questions

Which is more reliable, OpenCorporates or Shields?

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

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

Can I call OpenCorporates and Shields from the browser?

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

Are OpenCorporates and Shields free for commercial use?

OpenCorporates has unclear commercial terms, and Shields 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.