Evaluate
Free
$0 forever
Test the schema, SDKs, and pre-match odds before you commit.
- 12 req/min
- 2 sportsbooks
- Pre-match odds, 60s delay
Truly Free
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 REST access to the odds and schedule endpoints plus TypeScript and Python SDKs. Built-in arbitrage starts on Hobby; +EV detection starts on Pro. Streaming is a $99/mo add-on to a paid plan and is not included in Free or any base plan.
Choose by build stage
Start free. Upgrade when your data needs change.
Every base plan uses REST. Pick the data access and built-in signals you need, then add streaming only if your application needs push updates.
Build live or pre-match
Hobby
$79/mo
Use undelayed REST odds, live or pre-match, with built-in arbitrage detection.
- 120 req/min
- 5 sportsbooks
- Undelayed REST, live or pre-match
- Arbitrage detection
Model value
Pro
$229/mo
Add +EV detection, middles, low-hold markets, and betting splits.
- 300 req/min
- 15 sportsbooks
- Undelayed REST, live or pre-match
- Arbitrage detection
- +EV detection
- Middles scanner
Need push updates? SSE and WebSocket streaming cost $99/month as an add-on to any paid plan. Streaming is not included in any base plan.
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 | 25 |
| Data Delay | 60 seconds | No artificial delay | No artificial delay | No artificial delay |
| Arbitrage Detection | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| +EV Detection | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| SSE + WebSocket Streaming | Not available | +$99/mo add-on | +$99/mo add-on | +$99/mo add-on |
12
requests per minute
720
requests per hour
17K+
requests per day
$0
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 a 60-second data delay.
Upgrade Path to +EV
Hobby includes arbitrage detection; Pro adds +EV and middles. Start free, upgrade when you need more.
Real-time Data
Free has a 60s data delay. Upgrade to Hobby or above for odds with no artificial 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 25 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 17,280 requests/day versus about 16/day from The Odds API's monthly credit allowance
The Odds API Free Tier Limits (2026)
- 500 credits per month, roughly 16 requests per day
- Multi-market and multi-region requests consume multiple credits each, so effective volume is often lower
- REST polling only, no SSE or WebSocket streaming on any tier
- When credits run out mid-month, requests are rejected until the next cycle or a paid upgrade
Looking for a free alternative without credit math? SharpAPI's free tier gives 17,280 requests/day (12 per minute) with 2 sportsbooks and no credit card.
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
1
Sign up (30 seconds)
Email and password. No credit card. No company info.
2
Get your API key
Instantly generated in your dashboard.
3
Install the SDK
npm install @sharp-api/client
4
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 are The Odds API free tier limits in 2026?
The Odds API free plan includes 500 credits per month, roughly 16 requests per day. Multi-market and multi-region requests cost multiple credits each, and no tier offers streaming. SharpAPI's free tier is an alternative with 17,280 requests/day and 2 sportsbooks, no credit card required.
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 designed for evaluation and prototypes. For production apps needing undelayed 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 data without an artificial delay. 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 include daily request limits, card requirements, data delay, sportsbook count, sports coverage, SDKs, and the paid upgrade path. SharpAPI's 12 req/min model gives predictable access without a monthly credit balance that can run out.
Can I get push updates on a free tier?
SharpAPI's free tier is REST-only with a 60-second delay. No SharpAPI base plan includes push delivery. The optional $99/mo add-on enables SSE and WebSocket for customers with a paid subscription, including 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?
You can build your own comparison with free REST odds, but SharpAPI's free tier does not include built-in arbitrage detection and has only 2 sportsbooks with a 60-second delay. Hobby ($79/mo) adds built-in arbitrage detection and undelayed REST data. Streaming costs another $99/mo if you need push updates.
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., SharpAPI's 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: Hobby ($79/mo) adds arbitrage and undelayed REST, live or pre-match; Pro ($229/mo) adds +EV, middles, and 15 sportsbooks
Streaming: SSE and WebSocket ($99/mo add-on to any paid plan)
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 | ~1-3s delivery | No rate limits (push-based) | Live betting, arb scanning, +EV alerts |
| WebSocket | Push-based, not separately measured | No rate limits (push-based) | Dynamic filter updates, interactive UIs |
Delivery latency is the transport hop only. End-to-end freshness also includes how often each sportsbook can be captured, typically 10-30 seconds for major books, and that is the dominant term.
For a detailed comparison, see our SSE vs WebSocket guide and real-time odds latency breakdown.