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Kelvin Graddick
Kelvin Graddick

Posted on • Originally published at kg.codes

9 free/cool web APIs to use in your next project

There are many free web APIs out there now that you can integrate your mobile app, web app, or website with to easily add some very powerful features. A web API is an application programming interface which can be accessed over the internet using web-specific protocols.

Some big names/companies expose their features/data for you to freely use in your own apps/websites this way. Here are 9 that I think could be used to make some great projects:

1. Spotify API (music)

With the Spotify API, you can integrate your app/website to discover music, play a user’s music, create playlist for a user, and more. For example, you could create your own music playlist discoverer and builder based on a user’s interests.
Spotify developer website
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2. Wit.ai API (text/voice processing)

With the Wit.ai API, you can process text or speech and turn it into recognizable actions that your app/website can use. You could use this to build an intelligent bot for your app/website.
Wit.ai website
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3. Plaid API (bank account connect)

With the Plaid API, you can allow user to connect their bank account without you knowing the details. The Venmo app already uses this! It’s only free for testing and then paid.
Plaid API website
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4. Social Media APIs (Facebook/Insta/etc.)

With these various APIs, you could allow login through a user’s social media account, post on behalf of a user, and retrieve a user’s profile. Plenty of app/services already use these as you know.
Facebook Developers website
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5. Genius API (lyrics)

With the Genius API, your app/website can look us song lyrics and the meanings for the lyrics. For example, you could create a Tupac lyric-spitting bot.
Genius Developers website
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6. BetterDoctor API (healthcare provider)

With the BetterDoctor API, you can integrate your app/website with nearby health provider information. For example, you could look up a user’s nearest dentist based on their insurance and location.
BetterDoctor developer website
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7. Recipe Puppy API (recipes)

With the Recipe Puppy API, your app/website can look up recipes based on ingredients and search terms. For example, you could make and app that randomly gives a recipe each day based on what’s in the user’s fridge.
Recipe Puppy API website
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8. eBay API (shopping/selling)

With the eBay API, your app/website can automatically search, buy, and/or sell on eBay. For example, you could make a website/service that automatically lists a user’s item for sale based on the best time of day.
eBay developer website
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9. Bible API

With the Bible API, your app/website can access Bible books, chapters, verses, etc. For example, you could make an app that automatically provides a Bible verse based on the day’s world news.
Bible API website
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There are so many more that I didn’t list and let me know if you know of some more good ones. Also, let me know what types of projects could be done with some of these.

Top comments (13)

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vikramchandra profile image
Vikram Sharma

I did not know that Bible API existed. It seems there is an API for everything. :)
You can pick a news api from this list of news APIs for making the app you suggested.

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estebanfloresf profile image
Esteban Flores

There is also the star wars api
swapi.co/
Is pretty cool

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kgcodes profile image
Kelvin Graddick

Wow; didn't know about that one! Thanks! Pretty clean/cool

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yoadev profile image
Younes

You forgot the cat API 😂💪

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kgcodes profile image
Kelvin Graddick

Nice one! I did completely miss this one 😂

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jasterix profile image
Jasterix

Github jobs is also a good one and pretty easy to use

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kgcodes profile image
Kelvin Graddick

Nice; thanks for the rec! Sounds pretty cool

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tyu1996 profile image
Brian Ting

Thanks for the sharing. I am interested on Wit.ai & Bible API. Might play it as hobby project.

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kgcodes profile image
Kelvin Graddick

Glad to help! Sounds like a plan 👍🏾

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orelkan profile image
Orel Kanditan

Cool article I might use the Genius api.

I like the reddit api and made a project with it

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kgcodes profile image
Kelvin Graddick

Thanks! You should definitely try it out! What did you do with the Reddit API? That sounds cool!

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orelkan profile image
Orel Kanditan

You're welcome to take a look

orelkan.github.io/react-reddit-cli...

It's a React client, you can also see the code on Github from the menu :)

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loskilo profile image
Loskilo

How exactly do I use the genius api