xkcd vs Zelda
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
xkcd vs Zelda: common questions
Which is more reliable, xkcd or Zelda?
Both are neck-and-neck — xkcd and Zelda 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, xkcd or Zelda?
xkcd has the lower median latency in our checks — xkcd responds in 164 ms versus Zelda at 903 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 xkcd and Zelda need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — xkcd is callable with no signup, and Zelda is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call xkcd and Zelda from the browser?
Only Zelda 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 xkcd and Zelda free for commercial use?
xkcd is personal/non-commercial only, and Zelda 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.