iNaturalist API vs Launch Library 2 API

Two free Science & Math APIs compared on access, reliability and developer ratings, using data from our daily health checks.

The verdict

Choose iNaturalist API if its data fits your use case better; on access and reliability it's level with Launch Library 2 API.
Choose Launch Library 2 API if its data fits your use case better; on access and reliability it's level with iNaturalist API.

	iNaturalist API	Launch Library 2 API
What it does	Citizen-science wildlife observations with species identification and mapping.	Spaceflight launches and events database.
Provider	iNaturalist API	TheSpaceDevs
API key	Not needed	Not needed
HTTPS	Yes	Yes
CORS (browser calls)	Yes	Yes
Status today	Online · 1121 ms	Online · 876 ms
Uptime (30 days)	Up	Up
Developer rating	Not rated yet	Not rated yet
Price	Free / free tier	Free / free tier

Citizen-science wildlife observations with species identification and mapping.

Strengths

Spaceflight launches and events database.

A group of space enthusiast developers working on services to improve accessibility of spaceflight information.

Strengths

Prototyping or a tutorial? Pick the one that needs no API key (both qualify).
Calling from a web page? You need CORS. Otherwise route requests through your own server or a serverless function.
Going to production? Favour HTTPS, a strong uptime record and a provider with clear rate limits and terms. Check each API's docs before you commit.
Still unsure? Both are free to try: send one request to each and compare the data you get back.

Neither needs an API key; you can call both straight away.