When I work on side projects or client work, I try to move fast. I do not like building everything from scratch if there is already a free and reliable API that can handle the job. Over time I found a bunch of APIs that I keep using in almost every project.

These APIs save time, help me build features quickly, and make my apps look more polished. In this blog I want to share the 7 free APIs I use most often, why I use them, and how I actually apply them in real projects.

This is not a list of random APIs you will never use. These are practical, real life and easy to integrate.

1. JSONPlaceholder

This is my go to API when I am building UI and I need sample data. I use it when I am working on a new React or Next.js project and I want to test lists, cards, pagination or even form submissions.

For example, when I want to build a blog layout but I do not have a backend yet, I fetch posts from JSONPlaceholder and design the whole UI around it.

Simple example:

Real use case:

When I built my personal blog page layout, I used JSONPlaceholder posts to design the card system, tags, author section and comments. By the time I connected my real backend, the whole UI was already done.

It feels small, but this API saves hours in early development.

2. Unsplash API

Whenever I want clean images for banners, hero sections, product cards or placeholders, Unsplash API is the easiest way. Instead of wasting time searching and downloading images, I pull one relevant photo automatically.

I used this in multiple landing pages.

Example. If I am building a mood tracking app, I fetch a background image related to "abstract gradient" or "calm" from Unsplash. This makes the page look professional without me manually handling image assets.

It is very useful when you are creating a template or component that needs a nice image but you do not have real content yet.

3. GitHub API

I use this whenever I want to show my projects automatically on my portfolio site. Instead of manually updating my portfolio every time I add a new repo, I fetch my GitHub repos using the API.

Real use case.

On my portfolio there is a section called "Latest Projects". It shows the latest repos, stars and links. All the data comes from GitHub API so I never need to update it manually.

This also makes your portfolio feel alive. Recruiters can see your real coding activity.

4. Google Fonts API

Many people do not realize this is also an API. I use this constantly because clean typography instantly upgrades the look of any app or site. Instead of manually hosting fonts or downloading files, I load fonts using the Google Fonts API and apply them in CSS.

Real use case.

In the Next.js websites I build, the first thing I do is choose a primary and secondary font with the API. This sets a consistent style across the app and gives it a premium feel with zero extra work.

It is free, reliable and fast. A simple but powerful API.

5. Public IP or Geo-IP APIs

These APIs tell you the user IP, city or country. I use them when I want my app to feel more personal.

Examples of how I use this.

• Showing "Good morning India" or "Good evening California" on a dashboard.

• Pre filling country code in phone number inputs.

• Detecting region to show relevant pricing or currency.

• Filtering content based on location if needed.

Even a basic location based greeting increases user engagement. It feels like the app understands the user.

This is small but very effective.

6. Quote or Inspiration APIs

Sounds simple, but I use this more than you think. These APIs provide random quotes or short text. I use them when I want to make an app feel more alive without writing a CMS or storing static content.

Real use cases.

• On a habit tracking app, show a daily motivational quote.

• On a productivity dashboard, show a rotating tip or message every time the user refreshes.

• On a blog reading page, show a small quote in the footer.

• On a loading screen, show a line of text instead of a boring spinner.

This is a tiny improvement but it adds personality to your project.

7. Exchange Rate API

Currency conversion is one of the most requested features in modern apps, especially anything related to finance, pricing or e commerce. Instead of storing currency values manually or updating them every month, I use a free exchange rate API.

Real use case.

When I built a finance related demo app, I used an exchange rate API to show

• INR to USD

• USD to EUR

• Any other pair the user selects

This allows pricing pages to automatically show accurate values. For example, if you are selling something globally, you can display the price in the user’s currency without asking them.

It feels professional and saves a lot of time.

How These APIs Save Me Time in Real Projects

Using these APIs is part of my habit now. Whenever I start a new project, I think about what parts I can speed up with a free API instead of building from scratch.

Here is how they help me daily.

• I build UI faster because JSONPlaceholder gives me instant data.

• My landing pages look better because Unsplash gives high quality images.

• My portfolio stays updated because GitHub API fetches fresh repo data.

• My typography looks clean because Google Fonts API is always available.

• My apps feel more personalized because Geo-IP APIs let me greet users.

• My tools feel more human because quote APIs add personality.

• My pricing pages are smarter because exchange rate APIs show correct values.

When you add all these small things together, your project feels polished, even if you are working solo.

Why I Always Stick To APIs Instead of Adding Libraries

One reason I prefer APIs is because they keep the project lightweight. No heavy package installation. No unwanted code. No library updates breaking things.

I only fetch what I need.

I control the data.

And my frontend stays clean.

This is especially helpful when working on Next.js apps or small SaaS MVPs.

Final Thoughts

If you build websites, landing pages, dashboards or small apps, start using these free APIs. They will help you focus on building the actual experience instead of low level tasks.

These are not complicated. You can literally fetch them with one line and use them anywhere in your UI.