If you need trademark data in an app, a monitoring workflow, or a clearance search, the options range from free-but-limited government APIs to enterprise IP platforms. Here's an honest 2026 comparison.
The options
| Option | Coverage | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPTO TSDR / open data | US only, raw | Free | US-only, build-it-yourself |
| Markerapi & similar | US trademarks | Free/limited or paid tiers | Simple US lookups |
| TrademarkNow / Corsearch | Global, analytics | Enterprise subscription | Large IP / legal teams |
| NexGenData actors | US + EU + global (USPTO, EUIPO, WIPO) | Pay-per-result, no minimum | Founders, attorneys, devs, on-demand monitoring |
Where each wins
USPTO's own data is free and authoritative but US-only and raw — you build the search, parsing, and any EU/global coverage yourself. Markerapi-style services are handy for quick US lookups but thin on EU/global. TrademarkNow/Corsearch are full enterprise IP platforms with analytics and watch services — excellent if you have the budget and volume.
Pay-per-use actors hit the middle: multi-jurisdiction (US + EU + global) structured data, billed per result, with no subscription — right for a founder clearing a name, an attorney running periodic searches, or a developer embedding trademark checks.
The pay-per-use trademark toolkit
- Trademark Search (USPTO) — US register lookup by mark, owner, or class.
- EUIPO Trademark Search — EU marks via EUIPO and the TMview network.
- WIPO PATENTSCOPE & USPTO Patent Search — for the patent side of an IP workflow.
Full lineup and workflows in the IP, Trademark & Patent Data Tools hub.
Bottom line
US-only and free → USPTO's own data. Enterprise watch + analytics → a platform like Corsearch. Multi-jurisdiction structured data on demand with no subscription → pay-per-use actors across USPTO, EUIPO, and WIPO.
These are data tools, not legal advice — clearance and freedom-to-operate opinions should be reviewed by qualified IP counsel.
FAQ
Is there a free trademark API? Yes — the USPTO's TSDR and open-data endpoints are free, but US-only and raw; you build the search and any EU/global coverage yourself.
Which jurisdictions can I search? US (USPTO) and EU (EUIPO/TMview) for trademarks, plus global patents via WIPO PATENTSCOPE.
Can I monitor for new conflicting marks? Yes — schedule the USPTO and EUIPO actors against your marks and classes.
What does it cost? Pay-per-event on Apify — per result, no subscription or seat fee.
See also: New — Options Unusual Activity Tracker
See also: New —🇯🇵 Japan J-PlatPat Patents & Trademarks (JPO)
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