About — API Bouncer

What is API Bouncer?

API Bouncer is a directory of free, public APIs. We collect APIs from across the internet and put them in one place so you can discover new ones, search by category, and find the right tool for your next project.

The bouncing icons on the homepage each represent a real API. Click one to learn more, or use the search page to filter by category and find exactly what you need.

What is an API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. Think of it like a waiter at a restaurant: you tell the waiter what you want (a request), the kitchen makes it (the server processes it), and the waiter brings it back to you (the response).

APIs let apps talk to each other. When a weather app shows today's forecast, it's asking a weather API for that data. When you log in with Google, the app is using Google's API. APIs are everywhere.

A free public API is one that anyone can use without paying. Some require a free sign-up to get an API key, while others are completely open.

How to use a free API

Here's how to get started in 3 steps:

Find an API you like on API Bouncer. Check if it requires authentication (an API key) or if it's open.
Read the API's documentation. Every API has docs that explain what data you can request and how to format your requests.
Make a request. You can do this from a browser, a terminal, or your code.

Here's an example using a free API that returns random dog images:

      // Using JavaScript fetch

      const response = await fetch('https://dog.ceo/api/breeds/image/random');

      const data = await response.json();

      console.log(data.message); // A random dog image URL

Or from your terminal:

curl https://dog.ceo/api/breeds/image/random

Here's that exact code running live — click the button to call the API:

Click the button to try it

That's it. The API sends back data (usually in JSON format), and you can use it however you want — in a website, a mobile app, a Discord bot, or just for fun.

Common API terms

API Key — A unique code you get after signing up. You include it in your requests so the API knows who you are. Most free APIs offer free keys with generous limits.

OAuth — A more secure way to authenticate, often used when an API accesses your account data (like signing in with Google). More complex to set up than an API key.

Rate Limit — How many requests you can make in a given time period. Free tiers usually allow hundreds or thousands of requests per day.

JSON — The format most APIs use to send data back. It looks like this: {"name": "Rex", "breed": "Labrador"}

Endpoint — A specific URL you send a request to. One API might have many endpoints for different types of data.

Why Use Free APIs?

Free APIs are one of the best resources available for developers at every level. Here's why:

Learn by building. Reading about APIs is useful, but actually calling one and working with the response is how you learn. Free APIs let you experiment without worrying about costs.
Prototype faster. Instead of building a backend from scratch, use an existing API to get your project working quickly. You can always replace it with a custom solution later.
Access real data. Weather forecasts, stock prices, sports scores, news headlines — free APIs give you access to real, up-to-date data that makes your projects useful and impressive.
Build portfolio projects. Hiring managers love seeing projects that work with real data. An app powered by free APIs demonstrates practical skills that toy projects don't.

How API Bouncer Works

We aggregate APIs from open-source directories and community submissions, then verify each one. Here's what we do:

Collect. We source APIs from the public-apis repository and other open directories, adding new ones as they appear.
Categorize. Each API is organized into one of 50+ categories like Weather, Finance, Games, AI, and more, so you can browse by topic.
Verify. We run automated health checks to confirm that each API is still online and responding. Dead APIs are flagged so you don't waste time on them.
Document. Each API page includes authentication requirements, CORS support, HTTPS status, and getting-started instructions to help you integrate quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many APIs does API Bouncer have?

We currently index over 1,400 free public APIs across 50+ categories. The database is updated regularly as new APIs are discovered and dead ones are flagged.

Are all the APIs on this site free?

Yes, every API listed on API Bouncer has a free tier. Some are completely open with no sign-up required. Others require a free account and API key but don't charge for basic usage. A few may have paid tiers with higher limits, but the free tier is always available.

What do the status indicators mean?

Alive means the API responded successfully to our most recent health check. Dead means it did not respond — it may be temporarily down or permanently offline. Unknown means we haven't checked it recently. We recommend testing any API yourself before building on top of it.

What does "CORS" mean?

CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) determines whether an API can be called directly from a web browser. If CORS is "yes," you can use fetch() in your frontend JavaScript. If "no," you'll need a backend server to proxy the request. Read our detailed guide on CORS to learn more.

Can I submit an API to be listed?

We'd love to hear about APIs we're missing! Use the contact form to suggest an API. Include the API name, URL, and a brief description of what it does.

I'm a complete beginner. Where should I start?

Start with our What is a REST API? guide, then try the 10 Fun APIs for Beginners list. Pick one that sounds interesting, copy the code example, and see it work. You'll be making API calls in under 5 minutes.

Have questions?

Feel free to get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.