- Building with Akinda
Free Tier Shariah Compliance API: Start Building for Free
Before committing budget to any data layer, developers want to try it, no sales call, no annual contract, just an API key and a few requests. A free tier is how you de-risk that decision for Shariah screening. This guide explains how to start with a free Shariah compliance API, what you can realistically build on a free plan, and when it makes sense to upgrade to a business tier for production.
Quick Answer Yes, you can start with a free Shariah compliance API. The Akinda Halal API offers a free tier so developers can generate a key, read the docs, and screen tickers to prototype without paying up front. The free tier is ideal for evaluation, proofs of concept, and low-volume side projects; when you go to production and need higher limits, you move to a business plan. Check the pricing page for current free-tier limits, since they can change. |
Table of Contents
- Is there a free Shariah compliance API?
- What you can build on the free tier
- Free tier vs business tier
- How to start for free
- When to scale to production
Is there a free Shariah compliance API?
Yes. The Akinda Halal API provides a free tier so you can evaluate and prototype before paying. That matters, because most developers won't enter a credit card just to test an API they've never used. With a free plan you can generate a key from the dashboard, call the endpoints against real tickers, and confirm the data fits your product, all before any commercial conversation. Exact request limits are listed on the pricing page.
What you can build on the free tier
A free tier is designed for evaluation and light use, not high-volume production. Within those limits, it's genuinely useful:
- Proofs of concept that show a halal badge or verdict in your app, enough to demo to stakeholders or investors.
- Integration testing to confirm the endpoints, JSON schema, and verdicts work the way your product needs before you build around them.
- Low-volume side projects and personal tools that screen a handful of tickers without heavy traffic.
- Learning the methodology by comparing the API's output against the published screening rules and Akinda's live halal stock screener.
Free tier vs business tier
The difference between the tiers is mostly about scale and support, not the quality of the verdicts, which come from the same AAOIFI-based methodology either way.
| Free tier | Business tier | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Evaluation, prototyping, side projects | Production apps and commercial products |
| Request volume | Limited, for testing | Scaled for live traffic |
| Endpoints | Compliance and reports | Compliance and reports |
| Methodology | Same AAOIFI-based screen | Same AAOIFI-based screen |
| Support | Docs and self-serve | Commercial support |
For exact limits, features, and prices on each plan, see the business pricing, since these are updated over time.
How to start for free
Getting to your first verdict takes minutes.
- Create an account and generate a key on the dashboard.
- Open the developer docs and call the compliance endpoint with a test ticker.
- Parse the JSON verdict and render it in your prototype.
- Review the screening methodology so you and your Shariah board understand each verdict.
When to scale to production
Move from the free tier to a business plan when you're ready to serve real users, when your request volume outgrows the free limits, when you need commercial support, or when compliance verdicts become a core, revenue-bearing part of your product. The Akinda for Business page explains how the halal data layer supports fintechs and Islamic banks, and the pricing page lays out the plans. Because the methodology is identical across tiers, upgrading is a limits-and-support change, not a re-integration.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Akinda Shariah compliance API really free to start?
Yes, there's a free tier that lets you generate a key and call the endpoints for evaluation and prototyping without paying up front. It's meant for testing and low-volume use; production traffic runs on a business plan. Check the pricing page for the current free-tier request limits, as they can change.
Do free-tier verdicts differ from paid ones?
No. The compliance verdicts come from the same AAOIFI-based, scholar-governed methodology regardless of plan. The difference between free and business tiers is about request volume, support, and production readiness, not the accuracy or rules of the screening itself.
Do I need a credit card to try it?
The point of a free tier is to let you evaluate without commitment, so you can start from the dashboard and test the endpoints first. For exact signup requirements and current limits, check the pricing and dashboard pages, since these details are set by Akinda and updated over time.
When should I upgrade to a paid plan?
Upgrade when you go to production, when your traffic exceeds the free limits, or when you need commercial support and reliability guarantees. If compliance verdicts are central to a product you're charging for, a business plan gives you the volume and support that a free evaluation tier isn't designed to provide.
Sources
AAOIFI Shari'ah Standard No. 21: Financial Paper (Shares and Bonds) – the standard the Akinda API's screening methodology is built around.
Akinda API screening methodology – the full three-phase screen, ratio formulas, and purification rule, published for integrators to audit.
Akinda API Shariah advisor – the scholar governance behind the API's halal verdicts.
Build with the Akinda Halal API The developer-grade API for AAOIFI-based Shariah stock screening. Start on the free tier, scale when you ship. 📚 Docs: b2b.akinda.io/developer/docs 💳 Pricing: b2b.akinda.io/pricing 🔑 Get a key: b2b.akinda.io/dashboard |
Disclaimer
This article is about a software product and is for general information only. It is not financial or religious advice. Automated Shariah screening produces data-driven signals, not a fatwa; integrators should pair it with their own Shariah governance and consult qualified scholars. API features, endpoints, coverage, and pricing change over time, so verify current details on b2b.akinda.io before building.