FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) adds Calendar, Data Visualizations, PMI / ISM, Housing & Construction, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment, Yield Curves, Real Yields, APIs & SDKs, and Sheets / Excel Add-ins coverage that World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Head-to-head
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) 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
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) highlights: Access to over 840,000 time series from more than 100 official and third-party sources, all browsable and downloadable online., Official REST API covering both FRED and ALFRED, with endpoints for categories, releases, series, and sources., and Flexible output formats including JSON, XML, Excel, and CSV for easy integration..
World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) is known 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..
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) ships a mobile app. World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) is web/desktop only.
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
fred.stlouisfed.org
One of the most trusted sources of macroeconomic and market data worldwide. FRED offers free access to charts, releases, Excel add-ins, and a public API. An API key (free) is required, with standard rate limits. ALFRED, the companion service, provides vintage datasets so you can see what was known at any point in time.
Categories
Platforms
Web
Mobile
API
Pricing
Free
Quick highlights
- Access to over 840,000 time series from more than 100 official and third-party sources, all browsable and downloadable online.
- Official REST API covering both FRED and ALFRED, with endpoints for categories, releases, series, and sources.
- Flexible output formats including JSON, XML, Excel, and CSV for easy integration.
- ALFRED (the archival database) provides point-in-time vintages, letting you track historical revisions exactly as they were published.
- Maps API delivers regional datasets with GeoJSON shapefiles for states, counties, MSAs, and more.
Community votes (overall)
0% upvotes 0% downvotes
You haven't voted yet
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
Web
API
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.
Community votes (overall)
0% upvotes 0% downvotes
You haven't voted yet
Overlap
Shared focus areas
5 overlapsMutual strengths include Data APIs, Inflation Rates, and Unemployment Rates plus 2 more areas.
Where they differ
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
Distinct strengths include:
Calendar
Data Visualizations
PMI / ISM
Housing & Construction
Retail Sales
Consumer Sentiment
Yield Curves
Real Yields
- Access to over 840,000 time series from more than 100 official and third-party sources, all browsable and downloadable online.
- Official REST API covering both FRED and ALFRED, with endpoints for categories, releases, series, and sources.
- Flexible output formats including JSON, XML, Excel, and CSV for easy integration.
- ALFRED (the archival database) provides point-in-time vintages, letting you track historical revisions exactly as they were published.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) | World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Data APIs, Inflation Rates, Unemployment Rates, GDP, Interest Rates Unique: Calendar, Data Visualizations, PMI / ISM, Housing & Construction, Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment, Yield Curves, Real Yields, APIs & SDKs, Sheets / Excel Add-ins | Shared: Data APIs, Inflation Rates, Unemployment Rates, GDP, Interest Rates |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Bonds, Commodities, Currencies, Stocks, Other | Other |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, Mobile, 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 FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) both support?
Both platforms cover Data APIs, Inflation Rates, Unemployment Rates, GDP, and Interest Rates workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) require subscriptions?
Both FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.
Which tool has mobile access?
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) ships a dedicated mobile experience, while World Bank Open Data (data.worldbank.org) focuses on web or desktop access.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) differentiates itself with Access to over 840,000 time series from more than 100 official and third-party sources, all browsable and downloadable online., Official REST API covering both FRED and ALFRED, with endpoints for categories, releases, series, and sources., and Flexible output formats including JSON, XML, Excel, and CSV for easy integration., 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..
Keep exploring
Stay on top of related tools
Browse the categories and profiles that overlap most with this comparison to round out your shortlist.
Related categories
Follow the same themes these tools compete in.
Recommended tools
These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.
- Trading EconomicsHands-on review
Overlap: Data APIs, Calendar, and PMI / ISM.
Data APIsCalendarPMI / ISM - YChartsHands-on review
Overlap: Data Visualizations, Data APIs, and Inflation Rates.
Data VisualizationsData APIsInflation Rates - ECB Data Portal
Overlap: Data APIs, APIs & SDKs, and Inflation Rates.
Data APIsAPIs & SDKsInflation Rates - GuruFocusEditor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Calendar, GDP, and Interest Rates.
CalendarGDPInterest Rates - Alpha VantageHands-on review
Overlap: Data APIs, Calendar, and Inflation Rates.
Data APIsCalendarInflation Rates - MacroMicro
Overlap: Data Visualizations, Calendar, and GDP.
Data VisualizationsCalendarGDP
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.