18F vs Socrata
If you need a Open Data API that's easy to integrate, go with Socrata.
18F
- No authentication required
- No HTTPS support
- Currently flagged as inactive
Socrata
- HTTPS supported
- CORS enabled for frontend use
- Requires OAuth setup
| Feature | 18F | Socrata |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | None | OAuth |
| HTTPS | No | Yes |
| CORS | Unknown | Yes |
When to use which?
18F is the better choice for quick prototypes and hackathons since it requires no authentication. Socrata works directly from the browser with CORS enabled, making it better for frontend-only apps. Socrata supports HTTPS, which is required for production deployments and secure data handling.