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Re:Show HN: An easy-to-use Text Analysis API – NLP and Machi... by Blahah on Tuesday February 18, 2014 @09:02AM (#7258110)
The competitors don't allow you to benchmark their services, so while you can benchmark your own product you can't compare it to others. For example, from the Alchemy API:

YOU MAY NOT ACCESS THE SERVICES FOR PURPOSES OF MONITORING THEIR AVAILABILITY, PERFORMANCE OR FUNCTIONALITY, OR FOR ANY OTHER BENCHMARKING OR COMPETITIVE PURPOSES

Re:Show HN: An easy-to-use Text Analysis API – NLP and Machi... by malkung on Tuesday February 18, 2014 @09:38AM (#7258269)
Also this: "publish or perform any benchmark or performance tests or analysis relating to the Service or the use thereof without express authorization from AlchemyAPI;"

Suppose I am evaluating their service, before I decide to buy. I would be breaking these ToS, I guess.