> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fieldfunded.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# FieldFunded vs The Odds API

> FieldFunded vs The Odds API: 1,000+ markets vs ~20, auto settlement vs none, simple requests vs confusing credit multipliers. Real data comparison.

# FieldFunded vs The Odds API: Which Gives More Value?

Both FieldFunded and The Odds API target developers who want affordable sports odds. But they differ dramatically in market depth, settlement, and billing clarity.

## Credits vs Requests — The Math That Matters

The Odds API charges in "credits" — but **1 credit ≠ 1 API call**.

Each call costs `markets × regions` credits:

| API call example               | Credits consumed      |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------- |
| NFL odds, 1 market, 1 region   | 1 credit              |
| NFL odds, 3 markets, 2 regions | **6 credits**         |
| NFL odds, 5 markets, 3 regions | **15 credits**        |
| Historical data (any call)     | **10× standard rate** |

FieldFunded uses simple request counting: **1 API call = 1 request. Always.** No multipliers, no hidden math. You always know exactly how many requests you have left.

### Real-World Example

Polling 10 sports every 30 seconds for a month:

* **FieldFunded**: \~864,000 requests → **Pro plan (\$59/mo)** covers it
* **The Odds API**: \~864,000 × avg 4 credit multiplier = \~3.5M credits → their **\$119/mo plan** barely covers it

## Market Depth Test

Same game (Champions League final), same moment:

|                                       | FieldFunded           | The Odds API |
| ------------------------------------- | --------------------- | ------------ |
| **Total outcomes available**          | 1,000+                | \~20         |
| **1x2 / Moneyline**                   | ✅                     | ✅            |
| **Spreads / Handicaps**               | ✅                     | ✅            |
| **Totals (Over/Under)**               | ✅                     | ✅            |
| **Both Teams to Score**               | ✅                     | ❌            |
| **Correct Score**                     | ✅                     | ❌            |
| **Goalscorer (anytime, first, last)** | ✅                     | ❌            |
| **Corners**                           | ✅                     | ❌            |
| **Cards**                             | ✅                     | ❌            |
| **Player Props**                      | ✅ (hundreds per game) | ❌            |
| **Half-time results**                 | ✅                     | ❌            |

If you're building anything beyond a basic odds display, the depth difference is massive.

## The Settlement Gap

This is FieldFunded's biggest differentiator against every affordable competitor.

**The Odds API** gives you odds. The game ends → nothing. You must:

* Build your own result-checking system
* Maintain databases of game outcomes
* Handle edge cases (postponed, cancelled, retired, walkover)
* Manually resolve parlays with void legs

**FieldFunded** provides automatic gradual settlement:

* Simple markets (1x2, Winner) resolve within **2-5 minutes** of game end
* Complex markets (player props, correct score) resolve within **10-30 minutes**
* Real-time progress: `resolved: 310/325 markets, pending: 15`
* Timeout protection: unresolved markets auto-refund after 30 minutes
* Parlay resolution is built-in (void leg = odds 1.0)

No other affordable API offers this.

## Feature Comparison

| Feature                 | FieldFunded              | The Odds API                       |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| **Markets per event**   | 1,000+                   | \~20                               |
| **Billing model**       | 1 call = 1 request       | 1 call = markets × regions credits |
| **Free tier**           | 10,000 req/month         | 500 credits/month                  |
| **Auto settlement**     | ✅ Gradual resolution     | ❌ None                             |
| **Settlement progress** | ✅ Real-time counters     | ❌ N/A                              |
| **Parlay resolution**   | ✅ Built-in               | ❌ Manual                           |
| **Outright/futures**    | ✅ Dedicated endpoint     | ⚠️ Limited                         |
| **Live scores**         | ✅ With periods + serving | ⚠️ Basic                           |
| **Visual assets**       | ✅ Logos, flags, icons    | ❌ None                             |
| **Data refresh**        | 300ms                    | \~30 seconds                       |
| **TypeScript SDK**      | ✅ Official               | ❌ Community only                   |
| **Sports covered**      | 30+                      | 40+                                |

## What The Odds API Does Well

* **40+ sports** — more than our 30+
* **Simple, clean REST API** — easy to get started
* **Good documentation** — well-written reference
* **Quick if you only need main markets** — moneyline, spread, total

## Decision

<Card title="Need only moneyline/spread/total for a simple display?" icon="table">
  **The Odds API** is simpler for basic odds screens.
</Card>

<Card title="Need deep markets, settlement, or visual assets?" icon="rocket">
  **FieldFunded** — 1,000+ markets, automatic resolution, logos included.
</Card>

<Card title="Doing heavy polling on a budget?" icon="dollar-sign">
  **FieldFunded** — request billing is cheaper than credit billing at scale.
</Card>

## See It In Action

<Card title="Live Demo → fieldfunded.com" icon="globe" href="https://fieldfunded.com">
  Our API powers a fully functional live sportsbook with 1,000+ markets per event, live scores, and automatic settlement. See the depth difference for yourself.
</Card>

## Get Started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quick Start Guide" icon="play" href="/quickstart">
    Make your first API call in 5 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="See Full Pricing" icon="dollar-sign" href="/compare/pricing">
    Compare all tiers and costs
  </Card>

  <Card title="See All Alternatives" icon="list" href="/compare/alternatives">
    Compare 6 providers side by side
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build a Settlement Engine" icon="gear" href="/guides/build-settlement-engine">
    Our biggest differentiator in action
  </Card>
</CardGroup>