ParlayAPI vs Shotstack
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
ParlayAPI vs Shotstack: common questions
Which is more reliable, ParlayAPI or Shotstack?
On our scheduled checks, Shotstack leads on measured uptime — ParlayAPI at 87.5% versus Shotstack 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 Shotstack?
ParlayAPI has the lower median latency in our checks — ParlayAPI responds in 211 ms versus Shotstack at 1046 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 Shotstack need an API key?
Both ask you to authenticate — ParlayAPI uses an API key and Shotstack uses an API key. Each key is free to obtain; the Auth and Card-required rows above spell out the signup terms.
Can I call ParlayAPI and Shotstack from the browser?
Only Shotstack 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 Shotstack free for commercial use?
ParlayAPI has unclear commercial terms, and Shotstack 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.