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Head-to-head · Game Databases

IGDB vs Interactive Fiction Database

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score IGDB #3 in Game Databases 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit IGDB
Interactive Fiction Database #8 in Game Databases 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit site

IGDB leads on 1 check, Interactive Fiction Database on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIGDB · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresIGDB · 2 of 5

IGDB scores higher on our rubric for game databases: 9.1 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

IGDB offers character data; Interactive Fiction Database doesn't.

IGDB is the better fit for free structured game data via API. Interactive Fiction Database is the better fit for interactive-fiction catalogs and data exports.

  • IGDB fits best

    Free structured game data via API

  • Interactive Fiction Database fits best

    Interactive-fiction catalogs and data exports

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Side by side

Feature IGDB 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Interactive Fiction Database 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.4
Ranking #3 in Game Databases #8 in Game Databases
Best for Free structured game data via API Interactive-fiction catalogs and data exports
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features IGDB 2/5 · Interactive Fiction Database 1/5
API access ✓ ✓
Quest data Not checked yet —
Character data ✓ (best) —
Item data Not checked yet —
Ability data Not checked yet —
Specs
Supported platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Web browser, Arcade Z-machine, TADS, Hugo, executable applications
Export formats CSV, Protocol Buffers JSON, iFiction XML, SQL database exports
Our review
Pros
  • Free API access for non-commercial use
  • Game, platform, character, image, and media metadata
  • CSV dumps and Protocol Buffers response support
  • Free catalog with community editing, ratings, reviews, and lists
  • HTTP APIs return JSON or iFiction XML for application access
  • Periodic SQL exports support local analysis of catalog data
Cons
  • Commercial usage requires a partnership process
  • Community contributions follow content policies
  • API access requires Twitch application credentials
  • Catalogs metadata and links rather than storing the games themselves
  • API access is intended for low-volume, user-driven applications
  • Its scope is specialized to interactive fiction and text adventures
Our verdict

IGDB is a web-based video game database operated by Twitch, built for people who need to discover, browse, track, or query game information. Its public catalog covers games, genres, companies, characters, platforms, systems, and related…

Read the review →

Interactive Fiction Database (IFDB) is a community-maintained catalog for interactive-fiction and text-adventure games. It suits players who want searchable listings, ratings, member reviews, recommendations, polls, competitions, and…

Read the review →
  1. IGDBGame Databases 9.1Free plan
  2. Interactive Fiction DatabaseGame Databases 7.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • IGDB — where it wins

    • Free API access for non-commercial use
    • Game, platform, character, image, and media metadata
    • CSV dumps and Protocol Buffers response support

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial usage requires a partnership process
    • Community contributions follow content policies
    • API access requires Twitch application credentials

  • Interactive Fiction Database — where it wins

    • Free catalog with community editing, ratings, reviews, and lists
    • HTTP APIs return JSON or iFiction XML for application access
    • Periodic SQL exports support local analysis of catalog data

    Where it doesn't

    • Catalogs metadata and links rather than storing the games themselves
    • API access is intended for low-volume, user-driven applications
    • Its scope is specialized to interactive fiction and text adventures
  • IGDB9.1/10 · Free plan

    Free structured game data for browsing, research, and API-powered applications.

    Visit IGDBFull verdict →
  • Interactive Fiction Database7.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, community-maintained database for discovering and working with interactive fiction.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All game databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update