VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

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Friday, December 26, 2025

Tool Comparison

SEC API (sec-api.io) vs SEC.gov (EDGAR) comparison

Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.

Quick takeaways

SEC API (sec-api.io) adds Regulatory Filings Monitoring, 13D/13G, Financials, Management Compensation, and IPO coverage that SEC.gov (EDGAR) skips.

SEC.gov (EDGAR) includes Improved Filings, and Alerts categories that SEC API (sec-api.io) omits.

In depth comparison

SEC API (sec-api.io)

sec-api.io

Editor’s pick Hands-on review

A commercial API suite for SEC/EDGAR data, designed for developers, quants, and compliance teams. The free tier includes 100 calls per month. Paid tiers unlock higher rate limits, more data (5 GB vs 15 GB monthly, with $0.30/GB overage), and features such as multiple API keys or redistribution rights for enterprise users. The platform emphasizes speed, with new filings typically available in under 300 ms.

Platforms

WebAPI

Pricing

FreeSubscription

Quick highlights

Comprehensive API endpoints: query, full-text search, real-time streaming via WebSocket, download/PDF generator, XBRL-to-JSON conversion, and section extractors for 10-K/10-Q/8-K filings.
Specialized form coverage including ADV, insider filings (Forms 3/4/5), 13F, 13D/G, Form 144, IPO registrations (S-1, 424B4), crowdfunding (Form C, Form D), Reg A filings, and fund reports (N-PORT, N-PX, N-CEN).
Datasets include executive compensation, directors and board members, audit fees, subsidiaries, and public float/outstanding shares.
Historical coverage back to 1993 with support for all 400+ EDGAR form types; new filings made available within ~300 ms of posting.
Live filing feeds available in real time via WebSocket for instant integration.

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SEC.gov (EDGAR)

sec.gov

Editor’s pick Hands-on review

Official U.S. SEC portal for free public access to EDGAR filings and related data tools. Public REST APIs on data.sec.gov deliver JSON and require no auth/API keys, but automated access must comply with SEC privacy/security policy, uses a declared User-Agent header, and is rate-limited (SEC states a max of 10 requests/second). data.sec.gov does not support CORS. SEC also links to a separate EDGAR Public Dissemination Service (PDS) subscription feed (managed by a contractor).

Platforms

WebAPI

Pricing

Free

Quick highlights

Search Filings provides free public access to EDGAR documents and search tools (e.g., Full Text Search, Latest Filings, Mutual Fund Search).
EDGAR Full-Text Search covers electronic filings since 2001 (including exhibits/attachments) and supports queries by keyword, ticker, company name, CIK, and reporter; boolean/wildcards and advanced search are supported (natural-language search is not).
Latest Filings provides a real-time listing of filings as they are submitted; SEC recommends Latest Filings + RSS for near-real-time access and notes EDGAR filing email alerts are not offered (RSS instead).
Mutual Funds Search supports searching funds/ETFs by name, series/class or contract IDs, ticker, or CIK, and links to prospectuses and proxy voting records; users can subscribe via RSS.
Developer access: data.sec.gov hosts RESTful JSON APIs for submissions history by company (submissions JSON includes names, exchanges and ticker symbols) and XBRL-derived data via companyconcept, companyfacts, and frames endpoints.

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Where they differ

SEC API (sec-api.io)

Distinct strengths include:

Regulatory Filings Monitoring 13D/13G Financials Management Compensation IPO

Comprehensive API endpoints: query, full-text search, real-time streaming via WebSocket, download/PDF generator, XBRL-to-JSON conversion, and section extractors for 10-K/10-Q/8-K filings.
Specialized form coverage including ADV, insider filings (Forms 3/4/5), 13F, 13D/G, Form 144, IPO registrations (S-1, 424B4), crowdfunding (Form C, Form D), Reg A filings, and fund reports (N-PORT, N-PX, N-CEN).
Datasets include executive compensation, directors and board members, audit fees, subsidiaries, and public float/outstanding shares.
Historical coverage back to 1993 with support for all 400+ EDGAR form types; new filings made available within ~300 ms of posting.

SEC.gov (EDGAR)

Distinct strengths include:

Improved Filings Alerts

Search Filings provides free public access to EDGAR documents and search tools (e.g., Full Text Search, Latest Filings, Mutual Fund Search).
EDGAR Full-Text Search covers electronic filings since 2001 (including exhibits/attachments) and supports queries by keyword, ticker, company name, CIK, and reporter; boolean/wildcards and advanced search are supported (natural-language search is not).
Latest Filings provides a real-time listing of filings as they are submitted; SEC recommends Latest Filings + RSS for near-real-time access and notes EDGAR filing email alerts are not offered (RSS instead).
Mutual Funds Search supports searching funds/ETFs by name, series/class or contract IDs, ticker, or CIK, and links to prospectuses and proxy voting records; users can subscribe via RSS.

Feature-by-feature breakdown

Attribute	SEC API (sec-api.io)	SEC.gov (EDGAR)
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets	Shared: Data APIs, Insider Data, 13F, APIs & SDKs Unique: Regulatory Filings Monitoring, 13D/13G, Financials, Management Compensation, IPO	Shared: Data APIs, Insider Data, 13F, APIs & SDKs Unique: Improved Filings, Alerts
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes	Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Funds	Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Funds
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, Subscription	Free
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor	Unique Comprehensive API endpoints: query, full-text search, real-time streaming via WebSocket, download/PDF generator, XBRL-to-JSON conversion, and section extractors for 10-K/10-Q/8-K filings. Specialized form coverage including ADV, insider filings (Forms 3/4/5), 13F, 13D/G, Form 144, IPO registrations (S-1, 424B4), crowdfunding (Form C, Form D), Reg A filings, and fund reports (N-PORT, N-PX, N-CEN). Datasets include executive compensation, directors and board members, audit fees, subsidiaries, and public float/outstanding shares. Historical coverage back to 1993 with support for all 400+ EDGAR form types; new filings made available within ~300 ms of posting. Live filing feeds available in real time via WebSocket for instant integration. XBRL-to-JSON service delivers standardized financial statements (income, balance sheet, cash flow) mapped to US GAAP items; dataset is survivorship-bias free.	Unique Search Filings provides free public access to EDGAR documents and search tools (e.g., Full Text Search, Latest Filings, Mutual Fund Search). EDGAR Full-Text Search covers electronic filings since 2001 (including exhibits/attachments) and supports queries by keyword, ticker, company name, CIK, and reporter; boolean/wildcards and advanced search are supported (natural-language search is not). Latest Filings provides a real-time listing of filings as they are submitted; SEC recommends Latest Filings + RSS for near-real-time access and notes EDGAR filing email alerts are not offered (RSS instead). Mutual Funds Search supports searching funds/ETFs by name, series/class or contract IDs, ticker, or CIK, and links to prospectuses and proxy voting records; users can subscribe via RSS. Developer access: data.sec.gov hosts RESTful JSON APIs for submissions history by company (submissions JSON includes names, exchanges and ticker symbols) and XBRL-derived data via companyconcept, companyfacts, and frames endpoints. API update schedule: data is updated in real time; typical processing delay is <1s for submissions and under 1 minute for XBRL; bulk ZIP archives (submissions.zip, companyfacts.zip) are republished nightly (~3:00 a.m. ET).
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat	Yes	Yes
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists	Highlighted	Highlighted

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workflows do SEC API (sec-api.io) and SEC.gov (EDGAR) both support?

Both platforms cover Data APIs, Insider Data, 13F, and APIs & SDKs workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.

Do SEC API (sec-api.io) and SEC.gov (EDGAR) require subscriptions?

Both SEC API (sec-api.io) and SEC.gov (EDGAR) keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.

How can you access SEC API (sec-api.io) and SEC.gov (EDGAR)?

Both SEC API (sec-api.io) and SEC.gov (EDGAR) 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?

SEC API (sec-api.io) differentiates itself with Comprehensive API endpoints: query, full-text search, real-time streaming via WebSocket, download/PDF generator, XBRL-to-JSON conversion, and section extractors for 10-K/10-Q/8-K filings., Specialized form coverage including ADV, insider filings (Forms 3/4/5), 13F, 13D/G, Form 144, IPO registrations (S-1, 424B4), crowdfunding (Form C, Form D), Reg A filings, and fund reports (N-PORT, N-PX, N-CEN)., and Datasets include executive compensation, directors and board members, audit fees, subsidiaries, and public float/outstanding shares., whereas SEC.gov (EDGAR) stands out for Search Filings provides free public access to EDGAR documents and search tools (e.g., Full Text Search, Latest Filings, Mutual Fund Search)., EDGAR Full-Text Search covers electronic filings since 2001 (including exhibits/attachments) and supports queries by keyword, ticker, company name, CIK, and reporter; boolean/wildcards and advanced search are supported (natural-language search is not)., and Latest Filings provides a real-time listing of filings as they are submitted; SEC recommends Latest Filings + RSS for near-real-time access and notes EDGAR filing email alerts are not offered (RSS instead)..

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