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Spoonacular API vs TheMealDB API

Two free Food & Drink APIs compared on access, reliability and developer ratings, using data from our daily health checks.

The verdict

  • Choose Spoonacular API for its data: Recipes, Food Products, and Meal Planning.
  • Choose TheMealDB API if you want to call it from browser JavaScript.

Side by side

Spoonacular APITheMealDB API
What it doesRecipes, Food Products, and Meal Planning.TheMealDB is a free database and JSON API of recipes that is easy to use and quick to get started.
Providerspoonacular recipe and food APITheMealDB.com
API keyRequiredRequired
HTTPSYesYes
CORS (browser calls)UnknownYes
Status todayOnline · 1492 msOnline · 1573 ms
Uptime (30 days)UpUp
Developer ratingNot rated yetNot rated yet
PriceFree / free tierFree / free tier
Spoonacular docs ↗TheMealDB docs ↗

About each API

Spoonacular logoSpoonacular API

Recipes, Food Products, and Meal Planning.

The only food API you'll ever need. Our knowledge engineers spent years crafting our complex food ontology, which allows us to understand the relationships between ingredients, recipes, nutrition, allergens, and more. We understand 'nut free' muffins can't contain pecans (even if the recipe doesn't…

Strengths

  • HTTPS

Ratings, reviews and FAQ →

TheMealDB logoTheMealDB API

TheMealDB is a free database and JSON API of recipes that is easy to use and quick to get started.

TheMealDB is a free database and JSON API of recipes that is easy to use and quick to get started.

Strengths

  • Callable from the browser (CORS)
  • HTTPS

Ratings, reviews and FAQ →

How to choose between them

  • Prototyping or a tutorial? Pick the one that needs no API key (neither does, so compare their free tiers).
  • Calling from a web page? You need CORS. Otherwise route requests through your own server or a serverless function.
  • Going to production? Favour HTTPS, a strong uptime record and a provider with clear rate limits and terms. Check each API's docs before you commit.
  • Still unsure? Both are free to try: send one request to each and compare the data you get back.

Spoonacular vs TheMealDB FAQ

Do Spoonacular API and TheMealDB API need an API key?

Both require authentication (apiKey and apiKey).

Which can I call from the browser?

TheMealDB API supports CORS, so front-end JavaScript can call it directly. Call the other from a server.

More comparisons

Spoonacular API alternatives · TheMealDB API alternatives · best Food & Drink APIs