Auto.dev vs Edmunds API for AI agents
Auto.dev is a REST API for active vehicle listings from US dealers, part of a wider set of automotive APIs (VIN decode, photos, specs, recalls, payments). Edmunds API is Edmunds' former open developer API; access is now limited to selected partners and to dealers through a dealership program.
The short answer
- Auto.dev: Getting a small project or AI agent searching US dealer listings quickly, with a free tier and a ready-made MCP server.
- Edmunds API: Not available to new developers; only existing Edmunds partners and dealers can use it.
Side by side
| Auto.dev | Edmunds API | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Active listings from US physical and online dealers, filtered by make, model, year, price, mileage, state, CPO status and ZIP plus distance. | – |
| Returns | Listing records with VIN, year, make, price, location and created/updated dates; the full field schema was collapsed in the public docs, so dealer contact fields could not be confirmed. | – |
| Before the first call | An Auto.dev account and API key from the dashboard; the free plan needs only email verification, no card. | Being a select strategic partner, service provider, dealer or advertiser; new applicants are not accepted. |
| Free | Free plan with 1,000 API calls a month at 5 requests a second, no card required (listings capped at 20 per page). | – |
| Paid | Growth plan $299 a month; Scale plan $599 a month. | – |
| Limits on keeping or showing results | Data is licensed solely for internal business purposes; no reselling or redistributing to third parties and no derivative databases or competing data products. No clause specifically on caching. | – |
| Coverage | United States dealers. | – |
| MCP server | Official MCP server at https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp (OAuth sign-in or API key); listing search tool available on the free plan. | – |
Where Openpath fits
Openpath has no car listings yet. Cars are on its roadmap, from sellers and dealers who list them themselves. Get listed.
Questions people ask
What do I need before I can use Auto.dev?
An Auto.dev account and API key from the dashboard; the free plan needs only email verification, no card.
Is Auto.dev free?
Free plan with 1,000 API calls a month at 5 requests a second, no card required (listings capped at 20 per page).
Sources
Every line about another company comes from its own pages. Prices and terms change, so check the source before you rely on one.
Auto.dev, read on October 15, 2026:
- docs.auto.dev/v2/getting-started: “1,000 API calls per month, no card required”
- docs.auto.dev/v2/getting-started: “$299/month with unlimited calls”
- docs.auto.dev/v2/getting-started: “$599/month with enterprise features”
- docs.auto.dev/v2/getting-started: “Free needs no checkout — verify your email address and your API key is ready.”
- docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vehicle-listings: “Get comprehensive vehicle listings from U.S. physical & online dealers in seconds.”
- docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vehicle-listings: “filter by make, model, year, price, mileage, and more”
- docs.auto.dev/v2/mcp-quickstart: “claude mcp add --transport http auto-dev https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp”
- auto.dev/terms: “You receive a limited, non-exclusive license to use Automotive Data solely for your internal business purposes”
- auto.dev/terms: “You may not create derivative databases or competing data products”
- auto.dev/terms: “Resell, redistribute, or sublicense our Automotive Data to third parties”
- auto.dev/pricing: “Free $0 per month Get 1,000 API calls per month for evaluation and small projects”
Edmunds API, read on October 15, 2026:
- developer.edmunds.com/faq.html: “retiring our open API Program”
- developer.edmunds.com/faq.html: “We’re not currently accepting new applicants at this time.”
- developer.edmunds.com/faq.html: “No, we do not expect to be able to accommodate new applicants in the future.”
- developer.edmunds.com/faq.html: “access to our data and other information will be limited to select strategic partners, service providers”
- developer.edmunds.com/faq.html: “effective February 15, 2018”