ES·pera API vs FoodData Central

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d0.0%96.1%
Uptime · 30d0.0%93.1%
P50 · ms—1134
P95 · ms—4112
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverified
Free tierFree tier — API key may be required for production
Rate limit10 req/window · 9 remaining
In directory since2026-09-212026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

ES·pera API vs FoodData Central: common questions

Which is more reliable, ES·pera API or FoodData Central?

On our scheduled checks, FoodData Central leads on measured uptime — ES·pera API at 0.0% versus FoodData Central at 96.1% 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 ES·pera API and FoodData Central need an API key?

ES·pera API needs no key, while FoodData Central requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for ES·pera API first.

Can I call ES·pera API and FoodData Central from the browser?

Only FoodData Central is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. ES·pera API needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are ES·pera API and FoodData Central free for commercial use?

ES·pera API has unclear commercial terms, and FoodData Central 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.