Top 20 Free APIs Every Developer Should Know in 2024 - Enhance Your Projects

In 2025, the world of APIs continues to expand, providing developers with powerful tools to enhance their applications without incurring costs. Free APIs can significantly boost productivity by offering functionalities for data retrieval, authentication, machine learning, and much more. Here’s a detailed guide to 100% free APIs that every developer should consider for their projects.

 

1. Public APIs Directory

• Description: Public APIs is a comprehensive resource that aggregates thousands of free APIs available for developers. The APIs are categorized, allowing users to easily find the data they need.
• Categories: Weather, News, Science, Music, Sports, Games, Finance, etc.
• Use Cases: A valuable resource for exploring APIs and integrating them into applications. Developers can quickly find suitable APIs for their needs.
• Website: public-apis.io

 

2. OpenWeatherMap

• Description: OpenWeatherMap is an API that allows users to access current weather data, forecasts, and historical weather information.
• Free Tier: Users can make up to 60 requests per minute.
• Features: Current weather, 16-day forecasts, historical weather data.
• Use Cases: Weather applications, travel planning apps, and event management systems.
• Documentation: OpenWeatherMap Docs

 

3. REST Countries

• Description: REST Countries API provides detailed information about countries worldwide, including names, populations, and flags.
• Endpoint: restcountries.com/v3.1/all
• Use Cases: Educational applications, travel apps, and data visualization projects.
• Features: Retrieve country information, filter by region, and access various attributes like currency and languages.
• Documentation: REST Countries Docs

 

4. NASA API

• Description: NASA API provides access to a wealth of data related to space and astronomy, including images, videos, and mission information.
• Endpoint: api.nasa.gov
• Free Tier: Daily requests limit depending on the endpoint.
• Features: Mars Rover photos, Astronomy Picture of the Day, satellite imagery, and more.
• Use Cases: Educational platforms, science-related applications, and space exploration apps.
• Documentation: NASA API Docs

 

5. Cat Facts

• Description: A fun API that delivers random cat facts, perfect for entertainment purposes.
• Endpoint: catfact.ninja/fact
• Use Cases: Creating entertaining applications or bots that share fun facts.
• Features: Random cat facts with easy-to-use endpoints.
• Documentation: Cat Facts API

 

6. JokeAPI

• Description: An API to get programming jokes, dad jokes, and more, adding humor to applications.
• Endpoint: v2.jokeapi.dev/joke/Any
• Use Cases: Adding humor to applications, creating fun chatbots, and social media integration.
• Features: Various types of jokes, including single and two-part jokes.
• Documentation: JokeAPI Docs

 

7. JSONPlaceholder

• Description: A fake online REST API for testing and prototyping, great for developers needing mock data.
• Endpoint: jsonplaceholder.typicode.com
• Use Cases: Frontend and backend testing, rapid prototyping.
• Features: Provides resources like posts, comments, and users for development purposes.
• Documentation: JSONPlaceholder Docs

 

8. CoinGecko

• Description: A cryptocurrency price and market data API that provides comprehensive information about various cryptocurrencies.
• Endpoint: api.coingecko.com/api/v3
• Free Tier: Unlimited requests.
• Features: Market data, historical prices, cryptocurrency information, and charts.
• Use Cases: Building cryptocurrency dashboards, trading applications, and financial analysis tools.
• Documentation: CoinGecko Docs

 

9. IP Geolocation API

• Description: Get geolocation data based on an IP address, providing location information.
• Endpoint: ipapi.co
• Free Tier: Limited to 1,000 requests per month.
• Use Cases: Geolocation features in applications, analytics, and personalization.
• Features: Provides details such as city, region, country, and ISP.
• Documentation: IP Geolocation API Docs

 

10. The Cat API

• Description: An API for getting random cat images and facts, perfect for cat lovers.
• Endpoint: thecatapi.com/v1/images/search
• Use Cases: Building cat-themed applications, games, or websites.
• Features: Access to a large database of cat images and breeds.
• Documentation: The Cat API Docs

 

11. Open Library API

• Description: Access book data from the Open Library project, which contains information on millions of books.
• Endpoint: openlibrary.org/api
• Use Cases: Building library apps or book recommendation systems.
• Features: Retrieve book details, author information, and search by ISBN.
• Documentation: Open Library Docs

 

12. Recipe Puppy

• Description: An API that provides recipe data based on ingredients, allowing users to find recipes with what they have on hand.
• Endpoint: www.recipepuppy.com/api
• Use Cases: Cooking and recipe applications, meal planning services.
• Features: Search for recipes by ingredients, cuisine, and other filters.
• Documentation: Recipe Puppy API

 

13. GIPHY API

• Description: Integrate GIFs into your applications using the GIPHY API.
• Endpoint: api.giphy.com/v1/gifs
• Free Tier: 42 requests per hour.
• Features: Search for GIFs, trending GIFs, and upload capabilities.
• Use Cases: Enhancing social media apps, chat applications, and websites with GIF content.
• Documentation: GIPHY API Docs

 

14. News API

• Description: Get news articles from various sources, allowing developers to aggregate news content in their applications.
• Endpoint: newsapi.org/v2/top-headlines
• Free Tier: Limited to 500 requests per day.
• Use Cases: News aggregators, blogs, and media applications.
• Features: Filter news by source, category, and keyword.
• Documentation: News API Docs

 

15. Dog CEO’s Dog API

• Description: An API that provides random dog images and breed data for dog enthusiasts.
• Endpoint: dog.ceo/api/breeds/image/random
• Use Cases: Pet-related applications, games, and social media content.
• Features: Access to images of various dog breeds and random pictures.
• Documentation: Dog API Docs

 

16. Random User Generator

• Description: Generate random user data for testing purposes, useful for developers needing mock data.
• Endpoint: randomuser.me/api
• Use Cases: Mock data for apps, user testing, and UI/UX design.
• Features: Generate user profiles, including names, emails, addresses, and more.
• Documentation: Random User Generator Docs

 

17. Twitch API

• Description: Access Twitch features like streams, users, and games, allowing developers to integrate Twitch functionalities into their applications.
• Endpoint: api.twitch.tv/helix
• Use Cases: Building gaming applications and Twitch-related services.
• Features: Retrieve stream information, user details, and game data.
• Documentation: Twitch API Docs

 

18. SpaceX API

• Description: Access data related to SpaceX launches, rockets, and missions, providing a wealth of information about space exploration.
• Endpoint: api.spacexdata.com/v4
• Use Cases: Space and technology applications, educational projects, and data visualization.
• Features: Information on past and upcoming launches, rocket details, and crew information.
• Documentation: SpaceX API Docs

 

19. IPify

• Description: A simple API to get your public IP address, useful for applications needing to identify the user's location.
• Endpoint: api.ipify.org
• Use Cases: Applications that require IP tracking or geo-targeting.
• Features: Simple and fast response for retrieving IP addresses.
• Documentation: IPify API Docs

 

20. GitHub API

• Description: Interact with GitHub's resources, such as repositories and user data, allowing developers to build tools that integrate with GitHub.
• Endpoint: api.github.com
• Use Cases: Integrating GitHub functionalities into applications, building developer tools.
• Features: Access repository data, issues, pull requests, and more.
• Documentation: GitHub API Docs