Free APIs
Free Music APIs
| API | Free tier | Auth | Docs |
|---|---|---|---|
| MusicBrainz API Open music encyclopedia: artists, releases, recordings Catch: Must send a meaningful User-Agent | Free, 1 request/second per IP | No key | docs |
| Last.fm API Scrobbles, charts, artist and track info Catch: Non-commercial terms; commercial needs agreement | Free for non-commercial use | API key | docs |
| Deezer API Tracks, albums, artists and 30-second previews Catch: Rate limit of 50 requests per 5 seconds | Free; most search endpoints need no key | No key | docs |
| iTunes Search API Search Apple Music, App Store, books and podcasts Catch: Rate limit about 20 calls per minute | Free, no key; about 20 calls/minute | No key | docs |
| Radio Browser API Community database of internet radio stations Catch: Use several mirror servers and a User-Agent | Free, no key | No key | docs |
| Spotify Web API Catalog metadata, search and playback control Catch: Development mode limits users; extended access needs approval | Free to use; apps start in development mode | OAuth | docs |
| YouTube Data API v3 Search videos, playlists and channels Catch: Quota units per call vary; search costs 100 | Default quota: 10,000 units/day | API key | docs |
FAQ
What is the best free music API?+
MusicBrainz API, Last.fm API, Deezer API are good places to start. Compare the free tiers and catches in the table; they differ mostly in limits and whether commercial use is allowed.
Is there a music API without an API key?+
Yes: MusicBrainz API, Deezer API, iTunes Search API, Radio Browser API work without a key.
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