eBay Browse API vs SerpApi Google Shopping API for AI agents
eBay Browse API is eBay's Buy API for searching live eBay listings by keyword or category and fetching item details. SerpApi Google Shopping API is a paid third-party API that scrapes Google Shopping results and returns them as JSON.
The short answer
- eBay Browse API: Approved eBay partners who want live new and used eBay listings with affiliate tracking.
- SerpApi Google Shopping API: Seeing what Google Shopping shows for a query, across many stores, without a seller account.
Side by side
| eBay Browse API | SerpApi Google Shopping API | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Live eBay listings by keyword and category (plus image search in some markets), and item details by item ID. | Google Shopping results for a query, localised by country (gl) and location. |
| Returns | A subset of item details per search hit (more with the EXTENDED field group); full details come from getItem using the item ID. | Position, title, price, rating, source (store) and a link per result, plus a token for a detailed product page. |
| Before the first call | An eBay developer account (sandbox is open to anyone); production use of the Buy APIs is for eBay partners and needs an application through the eBay Partner Network, approved by business model. | A SerpApi account and API key. |
| Free | Not stated on its pages | Free plan: 250 searches a month; only successful searches count. |
| Paid | Not stated on its pages | Starter plan $25 a month for 1,000 searches. |
| Acting on a result | Affiliate links through the eBay Partner Network (production apps must implement affiliate tracking); eBay member checkout via the separate checkout_session resource needs extra approval. | Each result links to its Google Shopping page and names the store; no checkout. |
| Limits on keeping or showing results | Not stated on its pages | SerpApi keeps search data for 31 days, or not at all with its ZeroTrace mode (Enterprise only); its legal cover is for collecting the data, not for how you use it. |
| Coverage | 16 eBay marketplaces: AT, AU, BE, CA, CH, DE, ES, FR, GB, HK, IE, IT, NL, PL, SG and US (image search only in US, DE, UK and AU). | Any country Google Shopping serves, chosen with the gl country code. |
| MCP server | No official server listed | Official hosted MCP server at mcp.serpapi.com (needs a SerpApi API key). |
Where Openpath fits
Openpath has no products listed yet. Sellers can list a product on Openpath today, free, and agents will find it through the same search as jobs and businesses. Get listed.
Questions people ask
What do I need before I can use eBay Browse API?
An eBay developer account (sandbox is open to anyone); production use of the Buy APIs is for eBay partners and needs an application through the eBay Partner Network, approved by business model.
Is eBay Browse API free?
Its pages listed no free use when we read them on October 15, 2026.
What do I need before I can use SerpApi Google Shopping API?
A SerpApi account and API key.
Is SerpApi Google Shopping API free?
Free plan: 250 searches a month; only successful searches count.
Sources
Every line about another company comes from its own pages. Prices and terms change, so check the source before you rely on one.
eBay Browse API, read on October 15, 2026:
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/api-browse.html: “Using the Browse API, you can create a rich selection of items for your buyers to browse with keyword and category searches.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/api-browse.html: “For each item found, a subset of the item details is returned.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “The use of eBay’s Buy APIs in production is intended for eBay partners only.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “You must apply for production access through the eBay Partner Network.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “Acceptance of applications is based on the proposed business model”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “Application must implement affiliate tracking details (needed for revenue share capability)”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “To use the checkout_session resource, which supports eBay member checkout, you need approval.”
SerpApi Google Shopping API, read on October 15, 2026:
- serpapi.com/google-shopping-api: “Scrape Google Shopping results automatically with SerpApi. Position, price, rating, source, link, and more”
- serpapi.com/google-shopping-api: “Parameter defines the country to use for the Google search. It's a two-letter country code.”
- serpapi.com/pricing: “Only successful searches are counted toward your monthly searches. Cached, errored, and failed searches are not.”
- serpapi.com/legal: “Search data is retained for 31 days after the search is completed, after which it expires and is deleted automatically.”
- serpapi.com/legal: “SerpApi assumes liability for the lawful collection of public search data ... not for how that data is ultimately used.”
- serpapi.com/integrations/mcp: “SerpApi MCP Server is available as a hosted service at mcp.serpapi.com.”
- serpapi.com/pricing: “Free $ 0 / month Get Started 250 searches per month”
- serpapi.com/pricing: “Starter $ 25 / month Get Started 1,000 searches per month”