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openFDA API vs Open Brewery DB

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

APIopenFDA APINEW—Open Brewery DBNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified (open dataset)
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree — no key
Rate limitUnpublished120 req/window · 114 remaining
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

openFDA API vs Open Brewery DB: common questions

Which is more reliable, openFDA API or Open Brewery DB?

On our scheduled checks, Open Brewery DB leads on measured uptime — openFDA API at —% versus Open Brewery DB 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 openFDA API and Open Brewery DB need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — openFDA API is callable with no signup, and Open Brewery DB is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call openFDA API and Open Brewery DB from the browser?

Only Open Brewery DB 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 openFDA API and Open Brewery DB free for commercial use?

openFDA API has unclear commercial terms, and Open Brewery DB 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.