Data Galactica vs OpenCorporates: which should you use? (2026)

Written by the Data Galactica team. Data Galactica is our product, so we have put it first; we have tried to describe every other product fairly, using only what each company says on its own website (checked 24 October 2026). Features and prices change, so check each site before you decide. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will fix it.

People often ask whether Data Galactica or OpenCorporates is the better choice. The honest answer is that they are built for different jobs, and many people end up using both. This guide sets out what each one does, where each is stronger, and how to pick for your situation.

The short answer

• Choose Data Galactica if you need resolving the same entity across CIN, LEI, UK company number and Wikidata, with provenance on every field.
• Choose OpenCorporates if your priority is looking up a company in its home register and following it to the source filing.
• If you do both kinds of work, use them side by side: they complement each other more than they compete.

What Data Galactica is

Data Galactica is a registry of permanent identifiers: every organisation gets a DGC- Galactica ID and every person a DGP- ID, and CINs, LEIs, UK company numbers and Wikidata IDs resolve to the same ID. Each record card shows where it came from and a confidence grade from bronze to verified. There is a web check, a prepaid API with free starting credit, and an MCP server for AI agents.

Useful starting points:

• Check a company or person
• Galactica ID explained
• API and MCP
• Indian companies
• About the data

What OpenCorporates is

OpenCorporates (https://opencorporates.com) is an open database of companies drawn from official registers across many jurisdictions. It has built a strong reputation for looking up a company in its home register and following it to the source filing, and for that job it is a sensible first stop. We do not have access to its internal data, so for coverage numbers, pricing and terms, please read OpenCorporates's own pages rather than relying on our summary.

Side-by-side comparison

The OpenCorporates column describes the product as presented on its own website. If anything here is out of date, let us know.

Where OpenCorporates is the better fit

We would point you to OpenCorporates when looking up a company in its home register and following it to the source filing is the core of the task. It is an established product, it is widely used, and its approach suits people whose work is centred on that job. If your team already relies on it, there is little reason to switch just to try something new.

Where Data Galactica is the better fit

Data Galactica is designed for resolving the same entity across CIN, LEI, UK company number and Wikidata, with provenance on every field. The difference shows up in day-to-day use: instead of jumping between several sources, you get one page that brings the relevant facts together and tells you where each fact came from. That makes it easier to check the original yourself, which matters whenever money, a deal or a deadline depends on the answer.

What we deliberately built in:

1. Sources on the page. Facts are shown with where they came from, so you can verify them.
2. A free way to start. You can use the core of the product without paying first.
3. Access for software and AI assistants. An API or MCP server lets tools and assistants use the same data a person sees.

Common situations

"I need a quick answer before I act." Start with Data Galactica, then follow the source link if the decision is important.

"I need looking up a company in its home register and following it to the source filing." Start with OpenCorporates; that is its strength.

"I am building a product or workflow." Look at the developer access on each side and compare current terms for programmatic use.

"I am still not sure." Try the same query in both. Ten minutes of side-by-side testing on your own real cases will tell you more than any comparison article, including this one.

How to decide

Ask yourself three questions:

1. What exactly do I need to know or do? Match the job to the tool built for it.
2. How much does the source matter? If you must show where a fact came from, prefer the option that cites sources on the page.
3. What will it cost over a year? Check both sites' current pricing pages; free tiers and paid plans change.

FAQ

What is a Galactica ID?

A permanent identifier that never changes: DGC- for organisations and DGP- for people. Other IDs such as CIN or LEI resolve to it.

Can an owner correct a record?

Yes. Owners can correct, claim or remove their record on Data Galactica.

Is there an API?

Yes, a prepaid API with free starting credit and an MCP server for AI agents. See the API page.

Is Data Galactica a replacement for OpenCorporates?

Not always. For looking up a company in its home register and following it to the source filing, OpenCorporates remains a good choice. Data Galactica is stronger for resolving the same entity across CIN, LEI, UK company number and Wikidata, with provenance on every field. Many users keep both.

Who wrote this comparison?

The Data Galactica team. We have a clear interest in Data Galactica, which is why we cite each product's own website and invite corrections.

Bottom line

OpenCorporates and Data Galactica solve different problems well. If your need is resolving the same entity across CIN, LEI, UK company number and Wikidata, with provenance on every field, Data Galactica is built for it, and you can start here. If your need is looking up a company in its home register and following it to the source filing, OpenCorporates is a strong option. Either way, check the original sources before you rely on any result.