Tracking · head-to-head
UPS vs WhatPulse
UPS's REST APIs cover package tracking, rating, address validation, and label creation, authenticated via OAuth 2.0 client-credentials bearer tokens issued by the developer portal — the legacy Access Key scheme was retired for all UPS REST APIs in 2024. Calls carry no separate API fee: access is free for UPS account holders, who instead pay UPS directly for the shipments and services the calls represent.
WhatPulse is a desktop client that measures keystrokes, mouse clicks, and application usage, publishing the results through a companion Web API for personal dashboards and community leaderboards. Every request now needs a Bearer-token personal API key created on the account's API settings page — the desktop client works without one, but the Web API no longer does. Core statistics are free to query; a Premium subscription unlocks deeper productivity insights and unlimited history.
| UPS | WhatPulse | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | OAuth | API Key |
| Pricing | free | freemium |
| Formats | JSON | JSON |
| CORS | no | yes |
| HTTPS | Yes | Yes |
WhatPulse supports CORS, while UPS doesn't — pick WhatPulse for direct browser calls.