Free Sports Odds API
12 requests per minute. 2 sportsbooks. All major sports. No credit card required. No trial period. Just free.
The best free sports odds API is SharpAPI. SharpAPI's free tier provides 12 requests per minute (17,280/day) with access to 2 sportsbooks and all major US sports — no credit card required. By comparison, The Odds API offers 500 credits/month (~16 requests/day), OddsBlaze has no free tier, and RapidAPI odds providers cap at ~100 requests/month. SharpAPI's free tier includes full REST API access, a TypeScript SDK with IntelliSense, and a clear upgrade path to real-time streaming and +EV detection on paid plans.
SharpAPI Tier Comparison
| Feature | Free ($0) | Hobby ($79) | Pro ($229) | Sharp ($399) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Limit | 12 req/min | 120 req/min | 300 req/min | 1,000 req/min |
| Sportsbooks | 2 | 5 | 15 | All (30+) |
| Data Delay | 60 seconds | Real-time | Real-time | Real-time |
| SSE Streaming | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| +EV Detection | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Arbitrage Alerts | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| WebSocket Streaming | ✗ | +$99/mo | +$99/mo | +$99/mo |
requests per minute
requests per hour
requests per day
forever
What's Included in the Free Tier
REST API Access
Full REST API access at 12 req/min. Get odds from 2 sportsbooks with 60-second data delay.
Upgrade Path to +EV
Pro+ plans include +EV detection and arbitrage alerts. Start free, upgrade when you need more.
Real-time Data
Free tier has 60s data delay. Upgrade to Hobby+ for real-time odds with zero delay.
All Major Sports
NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF, Soccer. All sports accessible on free tier.
2 Sportsbooks
Free tier includes 2 sportsbooks. Upgrade to access 5, 15, or all sportsbooks.
TypeScript SDK
Full TypeScript support with IntelliSense. Auto-complete your way to production.
Free Tier Comparison
| API | Free Tier | Daily Requests | Credit Card? | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SharpAPI | 12 req/min | 17,280 | No | REST, 2 Sportsbooks |
| The Odds API | 500 credits/mo | ~16 | No | REST only |
| OddsBlaze | Trial only | Limited | Yes | Basic |
| RapidAPI Odds | 100 req/mo | ~3 | Yes | REST only |
SharpAPI's free tier offers 1,000× more requests than The Odds API
Perfect For
Side Projects
Build a betting dashboard, odds comparison tool, or arbitrage scanner without worrying about API costs.
Learning & Research
Analyze betting markets, backtest strategies, or learn about sports betting math with real data.
MVPs & Prototypes
Validate your product idea before committing to a paid plan. Build first, scale later.
Get Started in 5 Minutes
Sign up (30 seconds)
Email and password. No credit card. No company info.
Get your API key
Instantly generated in your dashboard.
Install the SDK
npm install @sharpapi/client
Make your first request
Copy the example code and you're live.
// Get NBA odds with your free API key
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.sharpapi.io/api/v1/odds?league=NBA',
{
headers: {
'X-API-Key': 'sk_live_your_free_key'
}
}
);
const odds = await response.json();
// Browse odds from 2 sportsbooks
odds.data.forEach(item => {
console.log(item.sportsbook);
console.log(item.selection, item.odds_american);
});Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a completely free sports odds API?
Yes. SharpAPI offers a permanent free tier with 12 req/min, 2 sportsbooks, and all major US sports. No credit card required, no trial period.
How many free API calls does SharpAPI give?
12 requests per minute, which is 720/hour or 17,280/day. This is a simple rate limit, not a credit system that runs out.
What's the difference between SharpAPI free and The Odds API free?
SharpAPI gives 17,280 req/day with a rate limit model. The Odds API gives 500 credits/month (~16 req/day) with a credit system where multi-market requests cost multiple credits.
Can I build a production app on the free tier?
The free tier is great for prototyping and small projects. For production apps needing real-time data and more sportsbooks, upgrade to Hobby ($79/mo). For +EV detection, upgrade to Pro ($229/mo).
Do free odds APIs have delayed data?
SharpAPI's free tier has a 60-second data delay. Paid plans ($79/mo+) provide real-time data. The Odds API's free tier data freshness depends on how often you poll.
What should I look for in a free sports odds API?
Key factors: daily request limits (not just monthly credits), whether a credit card is required, data delay/freshness, number of sportsbooks included, sports coverage, SDK availability, and the upgrade path when you need more. A rate-limit model (like SharpAPI's 12 req/min) is more developer-friendly than a credit system that can run out mid-month.
Can I get real-time streaming on a free tier?
No free odds API currently offers real-time SSE or WebSocket streaming. SharpAPI's free tier is REST-only with 60-second delay. For real-time streaming with sub-89ms latency, the lowest cost option is SharpAPI Hobby at $79/mo.
How do credit-based vs rate-limit APIs compare for developers?
Rate-limit APIs (like SharpAPI) let you make unlimited daily requests up to a per-minute cap — predictable and easy to plan around. Credit-based APIs (like The Odds API) charge credits per request, with multi-market queries costing multiple credits. Credits can run out unexpectedly, especially when fetching multiple sports or markets.
Can I use a free odds API for arbitrage scanning?
Technically yes, but free tiers have significant limitations for arb scanning. SharpAPI's free tier only includes 2 sportsbooks (you need multiple books for arbs) and has 60-second data delay (arbs often last under 30 seconds). For serious arb scanning, you need a paid plan with all sportsbooks and real-time streaming.
Which free API has the best documentation?
SharpAPI provides TypeScript and Python SDKs with full IntelliSense, interactive API docs, and code examples in multiple languages. The Odds API has solid REST documentation but no official SDKs. RapidAPI providers vary widely in documentation quality.
How to Choose a Free Sports Odds API
Not all free tiers are created equal. Here are the factors that matter most when evaluating free odds APIs:
Rate Limits vs. Credits
Rate-limit models (e.g., 12 req/min) give predictable access — you always know how often you can poll. Credit models (e.g., 500/month) can run out unexpectedly, especially when fetching multiple markets per request.
Data Freshness
Some free tiers have data delays (SharpAPI: 60s). Others don't specify, meaning you might get stale data without knowing. Check whether the provider discloses freshness guarantees on their free tier.
SDK & Developer Experience
Official SDKs with TypeScript IntelliSense save hours of integration work. Check if the provider offers SDKs in your language, interactive API docs, and code examples.
Upgrade Path
Your free prototype will eventually need more data. Look at the paid plans: pricing, sportsbook coverage, streaming support, and analytics features like +EV detection and arbitrage alerts.
Provider Deep Dives
SharpAPI — Best for Developers Building Betting Tools
Free tier: 12 req/min (17,280/day), 2 sportsbooks, 60s data delay
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAAF, NCAAB, MMA, Soccer
SDKs: TypeScript + Python with full IntelliSense
Paid plans: $79-399/mo with real-time streaming, +EV, and arb detection
Streaming: SSE (all paid plans) + WebSocket ($99/mo add-on)
Unique features: No-vig fair odds, server-side +EV calculation, Pinnacle-based analytics
The Odds API — Widest Sportsbook Coverage
Free tier: 500 credits/month (~16 req/day), credit-based pricing
Sports: 40+ sports including niche markets
SDKs: No official SDK (community wrappers available)
Paid plans: $30-200/mo, credit-based scaling
Streaming: Polling only (no SSE/WebSocket)
Unique features: 40+ bookmakers, simple REST API, wide sport coverage
OddsBlaze — Speed-Focused, No Free Tier
Free tier: Trial only (credit card required)
Sports: Major US sports
SDKs: Limited
Paid plans: $99-299/mo
Streaming: WebSocket
Unique features: Fast data pipeline, low-latency focus
Considering OddsBlaze? See our full OddsBlaze vs SharpAPI comparison — pricing, features, and free tier breakdown.
Data Delivery: REST vs. Streaming
Free tiers are REST-only. But if you're evaluating which API to eventually pay for, the streaming protocol matters significantly for performance-sensitive applications:
| Method | Latency | Rate Limits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| REST Polling | 5-60s (your poll interval) | Per-request limits apply | Free tiers, pre-game analysis, prototyping |
| SSE Streaming | <89ms P50 | No rate limits (push-based) | Live betting, arb scanning, +EV alerts |
| WebSocket | <89ms P50 | No rate limits (push-based) | Dynamic filter updates, interactive UIs |
For a detailed comparison, see our SSE vs WebSocket guide and real-time odds latency breakdown.