Wikidata vs Wikipedia REST
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Wikidata vs Wikipedia REST: common questions
Which is more reliable, Wikidata or Wikipedia REST?
Both are neck-and-neck — Wikidata and Wikipedia REST each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.
Which is faster, Wikidata or Wikipedia REST?
Wikipedia REST has the lower median latency in our checks — Wikidata responds in 585 ms versus Wikipedia REST at 98 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 Wikidata and Wikipedia REST need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Wikidata is callable with no signup, and Wikipedia REST is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Wikidata and Wikipedia REST from the browser?
Only Wikipedia REST 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 Wikidata and Wikipedia REST free for commercial use?
Wikidata has unclear commercial terms, and Wikipedia REST allows commercial use on its free tier. 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.