Plaid API vs Tax Data
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Plaid API vs Tax Data: common questions
Which is more reliable, Plaid API or Tax Data?
On our scheduled checks, Tax Data leads on measured uptime — Plaid API at —% versus Tax Data 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 Plaid API and Tax Data need an API key?
Both ask you to authenticate — Plaid API uses an API key and Tax Data uses an API key. Each key is free to obtain; the Auth and Card-required rows above spell out the signup terms.
Can I call Plaid API and Tax Data from the browser?
Yes — both Plaid API and Tax Data 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 Plaid API and Tax Data free for commercial use?
Plaid API has unclear commercial terms, and Tax Data 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.