Spark API vs Datafiniti Property Data: MLS data for Flexmls apps or bulk property records
FBS's Spark API and RESO Web API give authorized applications access to MLS data on the Flexmls/Spark platform. Datafiniti Property Data is a searchable US property database (API, portal and bulk download) that merges listing activity, tax/assessment and transaction data per property.
The short answer
- Spark API: Apps built for agents, brokers or MLSs that use Flexmls, where the MLS member authorizes access.
- Datafiniti Property Data: Bulk property and listing-history records for analysis and modelling, billed per record returned.
Side by side
| Spark API | Datafiniti Property Data | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | MLS listings (and, for VOW apps, sold data) from participating MLSs, within the roles each MLS grants. | Residential, commercial, multi-family and land properties: active listings, historical records, off-market properties, and rental status. |
| Returns | MLS listing records in Spark or RESO Web API format. | Property records with location, characteristics, tax/assessment data, transaction history, prices, rental status, brokers (agent, phones, emails) and source URLs. |
| Before the first call | A free developer account, then an MLS data plan or an MLS member who authorizes your app. | A Datafiniti account (trial or paid plan) and its API token. |
| Free | Developer account sign-up is free. | Trial: 1,000 property records free for 2 weeks. |
| Paid | $50 a month for each MLS you access, once you have data from your first MLS (MLS data plans may set their own terms). | $119 a month for 1,000 property records a month. |
| Acting on a result | Not stated on its pages | Records can include broker and agent names with phone numbers and emails, plus source URLs of the listing pages. |
| Limits on keeping or showing results | No storing MLS content except temporary caching for performance, unless your key permits replication; MLS display rules and license terms apply. | No reselling or redistributing the data without significant modification, no public display of image URLs, and delete all data when the agreement ends. |
| Coverage | Participating MLSs on the FBS platform; no list or count on its pages. | US |
| MCP server | No official server listed | No official server listed |
Where Openpath fits
Openpath has no homes listed yet. Owners and landlords can list a home for rent or sale 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 Spark API?
A free developer account, then an MLS data plan or an MLS member who authorizes your app.
Is Spark API free?
Developer account sign-up is free.
What do I need before I can use Datafiniti Property Data?
A Datafiniti account (trial or paid plan) and its API token.
Is Datafiniti Property Data free?
Trial: 1,000 property records free for 2 weeks.
Sources
Every line about another company comes from its own pages. Prices and terms change, so check the source before you rely on one.
Spark API, read on October 15, 2026:
- sparkplatform.com/docs/overview/api: “The Spark API allows authorized MLS members to request data through developer applications”
- sparkplatform.com/docs/overview/api: “When IDX applications are purchased, the MLS member must authorize that application to access their data.”
- sparkplatform.com/docs/overview/faq: “It’s free to sign up for a Spark API developer account.”
- sparkplatform.com/docs/overview/faq: “Once you have access to data from your first MLS, API access costs $50/mo for each MLS you can access.”
- sparkplatform.com/docs/terms_of_use/developer_agreement_and_terms_of_use: “except for temporary caching purposes necessary for performance enhancement”
- sparkplatform.com/docs/terms_of_use/developer_agreement_and_terms_of_use: “Compliance with MLS Rules and License Terms regarding MLS Content”
Datafiniti Property Data, read on October 15, 2026:
- datafiniti.co/data/property-data: “1K free property records ... for 2 weeks”
- datafiniti.co/data/property-data: “1K property records per month ... $119 per month”
- datafiniti.co/data/property-data: “Datafiniti covers residential, commercial, multi-family, land, and specialty property types throughout the U.S.”
- datafiniti.co/data/property-data: “Explore active listings, historical records, off-market properties, and inventory with no current listing activity.”
- docs.datafiniti.co/docs/property-data-schema: “A list of email addresses associated with the broker.”
- docs.datafiniti.co/docs/property-data-schema: “A list of source URLs associated with this property record.”
- datafiniti.co/terms: “Resell, redistribute or sublicensing Datafiniti Data without any significant modifications”
- datafiniti.co/terms: “you shall immediately delete all Datafiniti Data from your systems”