OilPriceAPI vs Quandl (Nasdaq Data Link)

Looking for a Quandl alternative for oil and commodity price data? This guide compares OilPriceAPI with Quandl (now Nasdaq Data Link) to help you choose the right solution for your oil and energy data needs.

Overview

Quandl was acquired by Nasdaq in 2018 and rebranded as Nasdaq Data Link. While it remains a comprehensive financial data platform covering stocks, futures, and economic indicators, its commodity data offerings have become more complex to navigate and increasingly enterprise-focused. OilPriceAPI provides a focused, developer-friendly alternative specifically designed for oil and commodity price data.

Feature Comparison

Why Developers Switch from Quandl to OilPriceAPI

1. Simpler API Design

Quandl requires navigating multiple dataset codes and understanding different data structures for each source. OilPriceAPI provides a unified endpoint structure:

Quandl approach:

# Different endpoints and formats for different oil datasets
curl "https://data.nasdaq.com/api/v3/datasets/OPEC/ORB.json?api_key=YOUR_KEY"
curl "https://data.nasdaq.com/api/v3/datasets/CHRIS/CME_CL1.json?api_key=YOUR_KEY"

OilPriceAPI approach:

# Consistent endpoint for all oil prices
curl "https://api.oilpriceapi.com/v1/prices/latest" \
  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY"

2. Real-Time Data Access

OilPriceAPI provides near real-time price updates throughout the trading day. Quandl's commodity data is predominantly end-of-day, requiring additional data sources for intraday applications.

3. Transparent, Affordable Pricing

Quandl's transition to Nasdaq Data Link brought enterprise-focused pricing that can be opaque and expensive for smaller projects. OilPriceAPI offers clear, tiered pricing starting at $9/month.

4. Oil-Specific Focus

While Quandl covers thousands of financial datasets, OilPriceAPI focuses exclusively on oil and related commodities. This specialization means:

• Curated data sources for oil market accuracy
• Purpose-built endpoints for common oil data use cases
• Expert support familiar with oil industry terminology
• Faster feature development for oil-specific needs

Data Coverage Comparison

OilPriceAPI Coverage

• Brent Crude Oil
• WTI Crude Oil
• OPEC Basket
• Natural Gas
• Heating Oil
• Gasoline (RBOB)
• Related energy commodities

Quandl Coverage

• Broader financial markets (stocks, bonds, futures)
• Oil data scattered across multiple datasets
• Historical prices often separate from real-time

Migration Guide: Quandl to OilPriceAPI

Migrating from Quandl to OilPriceAPI is straightforward. Here's how to update your code:

Step 1: Get Your API Key

1. Sign up at oilpriceapi.com/signup
2. Navigate to Dashboard > API Keys
3. Create a new API key

Step 2: Update Your API Calls

Python Migration:

# Before (Quandl)
import quandl
quandl.ApiConfig.api_key = "YOUR_QUANDL_KEY"
data = quandl.get("OPEC/ORB")

# After (OilPriceAPI)
import requests

response = requests.get(
    'https://api.oilpriceapi.com/v1/prices/latest',
    headers={'Authorization': 'Token YOUR_OILPRICE_KEY'},
    params={'by_code': 'OPEC_BASKET'}
)
data = response.json()

JavaScript Migration:

// Before (Quandl)
const response = await fetch(
  `https://data.nasdaq.com/api/v3/datasets/OPEC/ORB.json?api_key=${QUANDL_KEY}`
);

// After (OilPriceAPI)
const response = await fetch('https://api.oilpriceapi.com/v1/prices/latest', {
  headers: { 'Authorization': `Token ${OILPRICE_API_KEY}` }
});

Step 3: Map Dataset Codes

Step 4: Adjust Response Handling

OilPriceAPI returns consistent JSON with a predictable structure:

{
  "status": "success",
  "data": {
    "price": 78.45,
    "currency": "USD",
    "code": "BRENT",
    "created_at": "2024-01-15T14:30:00Z"
  }
}

When to Choose Each Option

Choose OilPriceAPI if:

• You primarily need oil and energy commodity prices
• Real-time or near real-time data is important
• You want simple, predictable pricing
• Developer experience and quick integration matter
• You're building a startup or mid-size application

Choose Quandl/Nasdaq Data Link if:

• You need data across many asset classes (stocks, bonds, options)
• Your organization already has an enterprise Nasdaq agreement
• You require specific historical datasets unique to Quandl
• Data breadth is more important than oil-specific depth

Technical Support Comparison

Get Started Today

Ready to try OilPriceAPI as your Quandl alternative? Start with our free tier to test the API:

1. Create a free account
2. Get your API key instantly
3. Make your first request in minutes

curl "https://api.oilpriceapi.com/v1/prices/latest" \
  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY"

Our team is available to help with migration questions and can assist with mapping your existing Quandl integration to OilPriceAPI endpoints.