Photon API vs The Guardian
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Photon API vs The Guardian: common questions
Which is more reliable, Photon API or The Guardian?
On our scheduled checks, Photon API leads on measured uptime — Photon API at 99.02% versus The Guardian at 98.0% 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, Photon API or The Guardian?
Photon API has the lower median latency in our checks — Photon API responds in 710 ms versus The Guardian at 742 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 Photon API and The Guardian need an API key?
Photon API needs no key, while The Guardian requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Photon API first.
Can I call Photon API and The Guardian from the browser?
Yes — both Photon API and The Guardian 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 Photon API and The Guardian free for commercial use?
Photon API has unclear commercial terms, and The Guardian 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.