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Coffee vs openFDA API

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

APICoffeeNEW—openFDA APINEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSnono
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — no API keyFree — limits not published
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Coffee vs openFDA API: common questions

Which is more reliable, Coffee or openFDA API?

On our scheduled checks, openFDA API leads on measured uptime — Coffee at —% versus openFDA API at —% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.

Do Coffee and openFDA API need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — Coffee is callable with no signup, and openFDA API is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call Coffee and openFDA API from the browser?

Neither sends browser-friendly CORS headers reliably, so call Coffee and openFDA API from a server or proxy rather than client-side. The CORS and HTTPS rows above show exactly what we detected for each.

Are Coffee and openFDA API free for commercial use?

Coffee has unclear commercial terms, and openFDA API 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.