ParlayAPI vs RandomUser

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d87.5%100%
Uptime · 30d87.5%100%
P50 · ms211105
P95 · ms15362091
AuthapiKeynone
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverified (generated data; sample photos governed by UI Faces terms)
Free tierFree — no key or signup
Rate limitUnpublished
In directory since2026-10-042026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

ParlayAPI vs RandomUser: common questions

Which is more reliable, ParlayAPI or RandomUser?

On our scheduled checks, RandomUser leads on measured uptime — ParlayAPI at 87.5% versus RandomUser at 100% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.

Which is faster, ParlayAPI or RandomUser?

RandomUser has the lower median latency in our checks — ParlayAPI responds in 211 ms versus RandomUser at 105 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.

Do ParlayAPI and RandomUser need an API key?

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

Can I call ParlayAPI and RandomUser from the browser?

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

Are ParlayAPI and RandomUser free for commercial use?

ParlayAPI has unclear commercial terms, and RandomUser 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.