NPPES vs openFDA API
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
NPPES vs openFDA API: common questions
Which is more reliable, NPPES or openFDA API?
Both are neck-and-neck — NPPES and openFDA API each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.
Which is faster, NPPES or openFDA API?
openFDA API has the lower median latency in our checks — NPPES responds in 910 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 NPPES and openFDA API need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — NPPES 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 NPPES and openFDA API from the browser?
Neither sends browser-friendly CORS headers reliably, so call NPPES 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 NPPES and openFDA API free for commercial use?
NPPES allows commercial use on its free tier, 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.