Embedly vs Iframely: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the key differences between Embedly and Iframely, both of which are popular services used for embedding rich media content on websites.

1. Data sources and coverage: Embedly provides access to over 600 data sources, including popular social media platforms, news websites, and video hosting sites. It offers a wide range of coverage for various types of content, such as articles, images, videos, and more. On the other hand, Iframely has a larger data source coverage, with access to over 1,800 sources, including social media, e-commerce, and blog platforms. This broader coverage allows Iframely to offer more extensive support for different types of content.

2. API and customization: Both Embedly and Iframely offer APIs that developers can use to integrate the services into their websites or applications. However, Iframely provides more customization options and control over the embedded content. With Iframely, developers can modify the appearance, behavior, and functionality of the embedded content to a greater extent, allowing for a more tailored and seamless integration with their website's design and user experience.

3. Pricing model: Embedly offers various pricing plans based on usage, with different tiers depending on the number of requests made per month. Iframely, on the other hand, follows a pay-per-use pricing model, where users are billed based on the number of API calls made. This offers more flexibility for users who may have fluctuating usage patterns or want to have more control over their costs.

4. Response format and data consistency: Embedly provides a consistent JSON response format across different sources, making it easier for developers to parse and integrate the retrieved data. Iframely, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in response formats, allowing developers to choose between JSON, XML, and HTML, depending on their requirements. This can be useful in scenarios where developers need a specific format or have existing parsing mechanisms in place.

5. Caching and performance: Embedly offers built-in caching mechanisms to optimize performance and reduce API requests for frequently embedded content. Iframely also offers caching options, but it goes a step further by allowing developers to set their own caching rules and expiration times. This level of control can be useful in scenarios where content is not frequently updated, reducing the dependency on external API calls and improving overall site performance.

6. Support and documentation: Both Embedly and Iframely provide comprehensive documentation and support resources to assist developers in integrating their services. However, Iframely offers a more extensive knowledge base, including detailed tutorials, code examples, and community forums. This can be particularly helpful for beginners or developers who require additional guidance and troubleshooting assistance.

In summary, Embedly and Iframely differ in terms of data sources and coverage, API and customization options, pricing models, response format and data consistency, caching and performance capabilities, as well as support and documentation resources.