Side by side
Interactive Fiction Database vs The Visual Novel Database
Both stand on game databases. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIWeb
IFDB combines a member-maintained catalog with discovery tools and APIs. Players should check whether a listing supports browser play, while developers should keep API use low-volume and user-driven.
Visit Interactive Fiction Database Free plan APIWeb
VNDB combines a community-edited database with user lists and voting, plus an API for queries and list management. API users should account for its best-effort status, usage limits and excluded functions.
Visit The Visual Novel DatabaseThe facts
| Interactive Fiction Database | The Visual Novel Database | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Web | API, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | ifdb.org | vndb.org |
| On game databases | #6 of 14 | #10 of 14 |
Interactive Fiction Database: what it does well
- Members can add and edit game listings.
- Search includes structured filters for discovery.
- Supported games can launch in a browser.
- APIs return JSON and support iFiction XML publishing.
- SQL exports exclude personal information.
What to know first
- IFDB catalogs game information rather than hosting games.
- APIs are not intended for frequent crawling or high-load mirroring.
- SQL exports are updated roughly quarterly.
- Browser play is available only for supported listings.
The Visual Novel Database: what it does well
- Wiki lets anyone contribute database information
- Registered users can vote and maintain personal lists
- Kana API can query data and manage user lists
- Non-commercial API access is free
What to know first
- API is provided on a best-effort basis
- API excludes forums, editing and account creation
- API requests over three seconds are aborted
Alternatives to Interactive Fiction Database Alternatives to The Visual Novel Database The whole list