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Wikipedia REST vs Open Library

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

APIWikipedia RESTHEALTHY—Open LibraryHEALTHY—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useyesunclear
Data licenseCC BY-SA 4.0Mixed — mostly open
Free tierUnlimited within etiquetteUnlimited within courtesy limits
Rate limit200/sec global courtesy capSoft — identified UA appreciated
In directory since2026-05-092026-05-02
operationalpartialdownno data

Wikipedia REST vs Open Library: common questions

Which is more reliable, Wikipedia REST or Open Library?

On our scheduled checks, Open Library leads on measured uptime — Wikipedia REST at —% versus Open Library 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 Wikipedia REST and Open Library need an API key?

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

Can I call Wikipedia REST and Open Library from the browser?

Yes — both Wikipedia REST and Open Library 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 Wikipedia REST and Open Library free for commercial use?

Wikipedia REST allows commercial use on its free tier, and Open Library 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.