FoodData Central vs Makeup

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms
P95 · ms
AuthapiKeynone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesno
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree tier — API key may be required for productionFree — limits not published
Rate limit10 req/window · 9 remainingUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

FoodData Central vs Makeup: common questions

Which is more reliable, FoodData Central or Makeup?

On our scheduled checks, Makeup leads on measured uptime — FoodData Central at —% versus Makeup 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 FoodData Central and Makeup need an API key?

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

Can I call FoodData Central and Makeup from the browser?

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

Are FoodData Central and Makeup free for commercial use?

FoodData Central has unclear commercial terms, and Makeup 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.