FoodData Central vs OpenF1

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

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms
P95 · ms
AuthapiKeynone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree tier — API key may be required for productionFree & open (historical); real-time may require a free account
Rate limit10 req/window · 9 remainingRetry-After: 60s
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

FoodData Central vs OpenF1: common questions

Which is more reliable, FoodData Central or OpenF1?

On our scheduled checks, OpenF1 leads on measured uptime — FoodData Central at —% versus OpenF1 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 OpenF1 need an API key?

OpenF1 needs no key, while FoodData Central requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for OpenF1 first.

Can I call FoodData Central and OpenF1 from the browser?

Yes — both FoodData Central and OpenF1 send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.

Are FoodData Central and OpenF1 free for commercial use?

FoodData Central has unclear commercial terms, and OpenF1 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.