ECB Data Portal adds APIs & SDKs, Central Bank Watcher, Yield Curves, Real Yields, and Data Visualizations coverage that World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
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Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Tool Comparison
ECB Data Portal vs World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
In depth comparison
ECB Data Portal
data.ecb.europa.eu
Official ECB gateway for euro‑area statistics with an open SDMX 2.1 REST API. The new endpoint is https://data-api.ecb.europa.eu/service/ (replacing the legacy SDW path). Content negotiation supports SDMX‑JSON, CSV, and SDMX‑ML. Charts and tables can be downloaded as CSV/XLS (long & wide), and charts as PNG/PDF/PPT. Typical update cadence is daily to monthly (e.g., reference FX rates around 16:00 CET on working days). ECB advises migrating from the old SDW URL as automatic redirects are planned to end on 1 Oct 2025.
Categories
Platforms
WebAPI
Pricing
Free
Quick highlights
- Open SDMX 2.1 REST API with discovery & retrieval modes; single entry point at data-api.ecb.europa.eu/service/ and rich query parameters (e.g., startPeriod/endPeriod, updatedAfter, includeHistory, detail, firstNObservations/lastNObservations).
- Format flexibility via content negotiation and the `format` query param: SDMX‑JSON, CSV, and SDMX‑ML (structure‑specific and generic).
- Interactive portal with export of data (CSV, XLS long/wide, SDMX) and export of visuals (PNG, PDF, PowerPoint).
- Comprehensive euro‑area macro & markets coverage: HICP inflation, key & market interest rates, exchange rates (reference rates), GDP and labor indicators, plus euro‑area yield curves (spot/forward/par).
- Revisions/deltas supported (`updatedAfter`) and conditional GET via `If‑Modified‑Since` for efficient sync.
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World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org)
data.worldbank.org
Global macroeconomic and development indicators with fully open access. The Indicators API requires no API key, and the DataBank portal supports direct downloads in CSV, Excel, TXT, and SDMX. Most datasets are available under the CC BY 4.0 license, though a few third-party series carry different terms.
Platforms
WebAPI
Pricing
Free
Quick highlights
- Programmatic access to nearly 16,000 time-series indicators across 45+ databases, with many series spanning over 50 years.
- Indicators API requires no key and supports both JSON and XML responses with flexible query styles.
- Query capacity includes up to 60 indicators per call, subject to URL length limits.
- DataBank offers one-click downloads in Excel, CSV, TXT, and SDMX, along with embeddable charts, maps, and tables.
- Individual indicator pages allow direct CSV, Excel, and XML exports.
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Where they differ
ECB Data Portal
Distinct strengths include:
- Open SDMX 2.1 REST API with discovery & retrieval modes; single entry point at data-api.ecb.europa.eu/service/ and rich query parameters (e.g., startPeriod/endPeriod, updatedAfter, includeHistory, detail, firstNObservations/lastNObservations).
- Format flexibility via content negotiation and the `format` query param: SDMX‑JSON, CSV, and SDMX‑ML (structure‑specific and generic).
- Interactive portal with export of data (CSV, XLS long/wide, SDMX) and export of visuals (PNG, PDF, PowerPoint).
- Comprehensive euro‑area macro & markets coverage: HICP inflation, key & market interest rates, exchange rates (reference rates), GDP and labor indicators, plus euro‑area yield curves (spot/forward/par).
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | ECB Data Portal | World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Data APIs, Inflation Rates, Interest Rates, GDP, Unemployment Rates Unique: APIs & SDKs, Central Bank Watcher, Yield Curves, Real Yields, Data Visualizations | Shared: Data APIs, Inflation Rates, Interest Rates, GDP, Unemployment Rates |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Bonds, Currencies, Other | Other |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, API | Web, API |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free | Free |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do ECB Data Portal and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) both support?
Both platforms cover Data APIs, Inflation Rates, Interest Rates, GDP, and Unemployment Rates workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do ECB Data Portal and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) require subscriptions?
Both ECB Data Portal and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.
How can you access ECB Data Portal and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org)?
Both ECB Data Portal and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) prioritize web or desktop access. Investors wanting a mobile-first workflow may need to rely on responsive web views.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
ECB Data Portal differentiates itself with Open SDMX 2.1 REST API with discovery & retrieval modes; single entry point at data-api.ecb.europa.eu/service/ and rich query parameters (e.g., startPeriod/endPeriod, updatedAfter, includeHistory, detail, firstNObservations/lastNObservations)., Format flexibility via content negotiation and the `format` query param: SDMX‑JSON, CSV, and SDMX‑ML (structure‑specific and generic)., and Interactive portal with export of data (CSV, XLS long/wide, SDMX) and export of visuals (PNG, PDF, PowerPoint)., whereas World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) stands out for Programmatic access to nearly 16,000 time-series indicators across 45+ databases, with many series spanning over 50 years., Indicators API requires no key and supports both JSON and XML responses with flexible query styles., and Query capacity includes up to 60 indicators per call, subject to URL length limits..
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.