How to Choose the Best Open Data API in 2026
There are 35 Open Data APIs in our directory. Of these, 16 require no authentication, making them ideal for quick prototyping. 16 are rated beginner-friendly.
Scores last tested: 2026-08-10
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Open Data APIs
Ranked by API Score. Measured means we called a real endpoint of that API; Est. means the score is derived from metadata because the endpoint could not be called without credentials. Discontinued APIs are excluded.
| Name | API Score | Auth | HTTPS | CORS | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| API Setu | 92 A+ Est. | No Auth | ✓ | ✓ | Beginner |
| Microlink.io | 90 A+ Measured | No Auth | ✓ | ✓ | Beginner |
| Nobel Prize | 88 A Measured | No Auth | ✓ | ✓ | Beginner |
| CollegeScoreCard.ed.gov | 87 A Est. | No Auth | ✓ | ? | Beginner |
| Callook.info | 82 A Est. | No Auth | ✓ | ? | Beginner |
| French Address Search | 82 A Est. | No Auth | ✓ | ? | Beginner |
| Kaggle | 82 A Est. | API Key | ✓ | ? | Intermediate |
| OpenSanctions | 82 A Est. | No Auth | ✓ | ✓ | Beginner |
| PeakMetrics | 82 A Est. | API Key | ✓ | ? | Intermediate |
| Open Data Minneapolis | 79 B Est. | No Auth | ✓ | ✗ | Beginner |
Free Open Data APIs (No Auth)
These APIs require no API key or signup. Start using them immediately.
API Setu
API Setu is an Indian Government platform that aggregates a wide variety of official APIs covering KYC verification, business registration, education records, and employment data.
Archive.org
⭐ Beginner's PickThe Internet Archive API gives you programmatic access to the Wayback Machine and one of the world's largest digital libraries, containing archived websites, books, audio, video, and software.
BotsArchive
⭐ Beginner's PickBotsArchive provides a public database of Telegram bots with details returned in JSON format.
Callook.info
⭐ Beginner's PickCallook.info is a free API that lets you look up United States amateur (ham) radio callsigns.
CollegeScoreCard.ed.gov
⭐ Beginner's PickThe College Scorecard API provides detailed data on U.S.
French Address Search
French Address Search provides programmatic access to address search via the french government via REST API.
Try It in 5 Minutes: Archive.org
Quick implementation example using Archive.org.
Using curl
curl "https://archive.org/wayback/available?url=example.com"
JavaScript
const url = "https://archive.readme.io/docs";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data); New to APIs? Read our Getting Started Guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Open Data APIs are available?
There are 35 Open Data APIs in our directory as of 2026.
Are there free Open Data APIs?
Yes, 16 Open Data APIs require no authentication and are completely free to use.
What is the easiest Open Data API to use?
Archive.org is one of the easiest to get started with. It is rated as beginner-level and requires no authentication.
Do I need an API key for Open Data APIs?
It depends. 16 APIs need no authentication, 12 require an API key, and 4 use OAuth.