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Shields vs Wikidata

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

APIShieldsNEW—WikidataNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Shields vs Wikidata: common questions

Which is more reliable, Shields or Wikidata?

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

Neither needs a paid key — Shields is callable with no signup, and Wikidata is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call Shields and Wikidata from the browser?

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

Are Shields and Wikidata free for commercial use?

Shields has unclear commercial terms, and Wikidata 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.