Compare
EndzoneAPI vs nflverse and nflfastR
nflverse is free, CC-BY data you load as files in R or Python. EndzoneAPI serves play-by-play, EPA and closing lines over HTTP and MCP, filtered per request.
Comparison facts checked September 26, 2026. EndzoneAPI data last refreshed 2026-11-12 17:05 UTC, newest data through 2026 season. Changelog
nflverse (nflfastR, nflreadr, nflreadpy) is free, openly licensed NFL data that you load as files in R or Python. EndzoneAPI serves play-by-play with EPA and win probability, weekly stats, injuries, depth charts and closing lines, over a REST API and an MCP server, filtered to exactly the rows you ask for.
The difference is where the work happens. With nflverse you download a season's files and filter them yourself. With EndzoneAPI you ask for third downs in the red zone for one team and get those plays back, from any language or from an AI assistant.
Side by side
| EndzoneAPI | nflverse (nflfastR, nflreadr, nflreadpy) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 500 free credits a month, then from $19/mo | Free |
| License | Commercial API | CC-BY 4.0 |
| Access | REST API and MCP server, any language | R and Python packages that load files |
| Filtering | Per request: team, down, quarter, play type, win probability | Load the season, filter locally |
| Play-by-play and EPA | Every game since 1999 | Every game since 1999 |
| Closing lines | Spread and total for every game since 1999, a season in one call | In the schedules file |
| Per-book odds | Closing lines from 4-9 books from 2014; up to 8 books including Pinnacle from the 2020 season; player props and alternate lines from 2023 | None |
| AI assistants | MCP server | None |
Use nflverse (nflfastR, nflreadr, nflreadpy) instead if
- You work in R or Python and are happy loading files: nflverse is free.
- You want every column of every play at once for a whole-season model; the files are the fastest way to get that.
Questions
Is there an nflfastR API?
nflfastR itself is an R package, not an HTTP API. EndzoneAPI serves play-by-play, including EPA and win probability, over REST and MCP.
How is EndzoneAPI different from loading the nflverse files?
EndzoneAPI adds per-request filtering, per-book closing lines from 2014 (opening too from 2020), player props from 2023, and access from any language or AI assistant.
Does nflverse have betting lines?
Yes: the schedules file carries one closing spread, total and moneyline per game. EndzoneAPI serves those too, and adds each sportsbook's closing line from 2014 and opening and closing prices from the 2020 season, player props from 2023, and hourly line movement from 2026.
Sources
Checked September 26, 2026.
See the data
Try it with 500 free credits every month
No card. REST or MCP.