Humanitarian Data Exchange vs openFDA API
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Humanitarian Data Exchange vs openFDA API: common questions
Which is more reliable, Humanitarian Data Exchange or openFDA API?
On our scheduled checks, openFDA API leads on measured uptime — Humanitarian Data Exchange at 98.0% versus openFDA API at 100% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Which is faster, Humanitarian Data Exchange or openFDA API?
Humanitarian Data Exchange has the lower median latency in our checks — Humanitarian Data Exchange responds in 729 ms versus openFDA API at 806 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.
Do Humanitarian Data Exchange and openFDA API need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Humanitarian Data Exchange 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 Humanitarian Data Exchange and openFDA API from the browser?
Only Humanitarian Data Exchange is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. openFDA API needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are Humanitarian Data Exchange and openFDA API free for commercial use?
Humanitarian Data Exchange 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.