Comparison
Florida Business API vs scraping Sunbiz
Sunbiz.org publishes the underlying data; you can scrape it directly. Florida Business API ingests the same public feed, normalizes it, and exposes it as a REST + MCP API with status + docs. Build vs buy.
Feature matrix
"Self-build" means the feature exists if you maintain the pipeline yourself. Florida Business API ships the feature out of the box.
| Feature | Florida Business API | DIY Sunbiz scraping |
|---|---|---|
| REST API | Yes | Self-build |
| CSV exports | Yes | Self-build |
| Daily new-business lead feed | Yes | Not available |
| Webhook delivery | Yes | Not available |
| MCP tool for AI agents | Yes | Not available |
| No-auth sample endpoint | Yes | Not available |
| Public status page | Yes | Not available |
| FCRA-safe positioning | Yes | Not available |
| Public developer docs | Yes | Not available |
| OpenAPI 3.1 spec | Yes | Not available |
| Saved searches | Roadmap | Not available |
| Registered-agent exclusion filter | Yes | Not available |
Last reviewed: 2026-06-29.
When DIY is the right call
You have an existing ETL platform, you only need the dataset quarterly, and your team is comfortable maintaining a SFTP + parser pipeline. The bulk files at sftp://sftp.floridados.gov/Public/doc/ are public.
When Florida Business API is the right call
You want REST queries by name / officer / agent / address today, with OpenAPI docs, webhook delivery, MCP for AI agents, and a status page your buyers can verify before they sign up.
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