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AirNow API alternatives

US EPA air quality data and forecasts. If it doesn't fit your project, here are the 10 best free Environment APIs to use instead in 2026, out of 29 in the directory.

For reference, AirNow API: Callable from the browser (CORS) · HTTPS.

  1. 1kanari logo

    kanari API

    Online · 527 ms

    Real-time worldwide wildfire detections, water bomber tracking and open fire archive.

    • No API key needed
    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    No authHTTPSCORS
  2. 2Open-Meteo logo

    Open-Meteo API

    Online · 609 ms

    Free weather API for non-commercial use.

    • No API key needed
    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    No authHTTPSCORS
  3. 3Sähkön hinta nyt logo

    Sähkön hinta nyt API

    Online · 1106 ms

    Finnish and Nordic day-ahead electricity spot prices (15-minute), cheapest hours.

    • No API key needed
    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    No authHTTPSCORS
  4. 4

    WattFigure API

    Online · 712 ms

    US electricity rates by state, with appliance and EV charging running costs.

    • No API key needed
    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    No authHTTPSCORS
  5. 5Carbon Interface logo

    Carbon Interface API

    Online · 873 ms

    API to calculate carbon (C02) emissions estimates for common C02 emitting activities.

    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    apiKeyHTTPSCORS
  6. 6GridHub logo

    GridHub API

    Online · 767 ms

    Live wholesale electricity prices and demand across 25 grid zones.

    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    apiKeyHTTPSCORS
  7. 7GridVigil logo

    GridVigil API

    Online · 1588 ms

    Pressure scores, demand, generation mix and alerts for the 10 major U.S. power grids.

    • No API key needed
    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    No authHTTPSCORS
  8. 8SustainMetrics logo

    SustainMetrics API

    Online · 697 ms

    18,000+ GHG emission factors from DEFRA, EPA, ADEME, Ember.

    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    apiKeyHTTPSCORS
  9. 9Climatiq logo

    Climatiq API

    Online · 1435 ms

    Calculate the environmental footprint created by a broad range of emission-generating activities.

    • Callable from the browser (CORS)
    • HTTPS
    apiKeyHTTPSCORS
  10. 10Danish data service Energi logo

    Open energy data from Energinet to society.

    • No API key needed
    • HTTPS
    No authHTTPSCORS ?

AirNow API vs alternatives

AirNow API compared with its alternatives
APIAPI keyHTTPSCORSUptimeResponseRating
AirNowRequiredYesYesUp1271 msNot rated
kanari logokanariNoYesYesUp527 msNot rated
Open-Meteo logoOpen-MeteoNoYesYesUp609 msNot rated
Sähkön hinta nyt logoSähkön hinta nytNoYesYesUp1106 msNot rated
WattFigureNoYesYesUp712 msNot rated
Carbon Interface logoCarbon InterfaceRequiredYesYesUp873 msNot rated
GridHub logoGridHubRequiredYesYesUp767 msNot rated
GridVigil logoGridVigilNoYesYesUp1588 msNot rated
SustainMetrics logoSustainMetricsRequiredYesYesUp697 msNot rated

See also: best Environment APIs · all Environment APIs

AirNow API alternatives FAQ

What is the best free alternative to the AirNow API in 2026?

The top-ranked free alternatives to the AirNow API are kanari API, Open-Meteo API and Sähkön hinta nyt API, all in the Environment category. Rankings combine access (API key, HTTPS, CORS), daily uptime checks and developer ratings.

Is there a AirNow API alternative that doesn't need an API key?

Yes: kanari API, Open-Meteo API and Sähkön hinta nyt API work without an API key, unlike the AirNow API, which uses apiKey authentication.

How many Environment APIs are similar to the AirNow API?

The directory lists 29 other free Environment APIs. This page compares the top ones side by side.