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Scryfall vs TCGApi

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

APIScryfallNEW—TCGApiNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseCard data free to use; MTG content © Wizards of the Coast (see docs)Unverified
Free tierFree, no API key requiredFree tier — API key may be required for production
Rate limit~10 requests/second; docs ask for 50-100 ms between requestsUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Scryfall vs TCGApi: common questions

Which is more reliable, Scryfall or TCGApi?

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

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

Can I call Scryfall and TCGApi from the browser?

Yes — both Scryfall and TCGApi 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 Scryfall and TCGApi free for commercial use?

Scryfall has unclear commercial terms, and TCGApi 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.