API comparison
GiveRadar API vs GuideStar API: an honest comparison
Two different tools for programmatic nonprofit data. Here is the short, honest version, so you can pick in a minute.
The GuideStar API in one paragraph
The GuideStar API is Candid's paid API product line: deep, IRS-derived data on US nonprofits, including filings detail, Seals of Transparency, and the funder-side data Candid is known for. Access requires registration with Candid, and pricing is published on their site. If your product needs the deepest available US nonprofit data, it is the established choice.
The GiveRadar API in one paragraph
The GiveRadar API is a REST API over 7.9 million+ nonprofits in 100+ countries, built from official government registries and tax authorities plus vetted directories where no registry data exists. It returns registration, financials where filed, officers, the integrity assessment (a 0-100 disclosure score, not an impact rating), and provenance for every field. It has a free tier, an OpenAPI specification, and a hosted MCP server that AI agents can use without a key.
| GiveRadar API | GuideStar API (Candid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Geography | 100+ countries | United States |
| Free tier | Yes, 10 requests/day, instant key | No free production tier; registration required |
| US depth | IRS registration + filings | Deepest available, including funder data |
| Score | Integrity assessment (disclosure, 0-100) | Seals of Transparency (self-reported tiers) |
| AI agents | MCP server, keyless to start | Not offered |
| Spec | OpenAPI, public | Docs behind registration |
When to use which
- Use the GuideStar API when your product is US-only and needs Candid's depth: detailed filings data, seals, or funder and grants information.
- Use the GiveRadar API when you need nonprofits outside the United States, a free tier to prototype on, charity verification by registration number, or an MCP interface for AI agents.
- Use both when you serve US grantmakers with global portfolios: Candid for US depth, GiveRadar for everywhere else.
Comparing the organizations rather than the APIs? Read the full GiveRadar vs Candid (GuideStar) comparison, or browse all comparisons.
Try the GiveRadar API free
10 requests a day, instant key, no card. Enough to evaluate whether it fits.