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SpaceTradersAPI vs xkcd

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

APISpaceTradersAPINEW—xkcdNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
AuthapiKeynone
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearno
Data licenseUnverifiedCC BY-NC 2.5
Free tierFree tier — key may be requiredFree, no API key
Rate limitRetry-After: 1sUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

SpaceTradersAPI vs xkcd: common questions

Which is more reliable, SpaceTradersAPI or xkcd?

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

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

Can I call SpaceTradersAPI and xkcd from the browser?

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

Are SpaceTradersAPI and xkcd free for commercial use?

SpaceTradersAPI has unclear commercial terms, and xkcd is personal/non-commercial only. 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.