Currency & Exchange Rate APIs
Live, historical, and converted foreign-exchange rates for fiat currencies (and often metals and crypto) as an API.
TL;DR: Top pick: Twelve Data (Forex API). 14 APIs compared, 12 with a free tier; cheapest published entry $9.99 month (CurrencyFreaks). Why →
What is a Currency & Exchange Rate API?
A Currency & Exchange Rate API lets developers live, historical, and converted foreign-exchange rates for fiat currencies (and often metals and crypto) as an api over HTTP. The Currency & Exchange Rate APIs below are compared on pricing, compliance, capabilities, and developer experience from structured, cited data.
| # | API | Pricing | Free | Self-serve | SOC 2 | HIPAA | GDPR | Webhooks | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twelve Data (Forex API) | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | ? | · | ✓ | ✗ | 33 |
| 2 | OANDA Exchange Rates API | Subscription | ✗ | ✓ | Type II | · | ✓ | ✗ | 9 |
| 3 | CurrencyFreaks | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 10 |
| 4 | ExchangeRate-API | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 7 |
| 5 | CurrencyAPI | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 6 |
| 6 | Abstract Exchange Rates API | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 3 |
| 7 | FreeCurrencyAPI | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 4 |
| 8 | XE Currency Data API | Subscription | ✗ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 8 |
| 9 | Open Exchange Rates | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 7 |
| 10 | currencylayer | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 6 |
| 11 | Exchange Rates API (exchangeratesapi.io) | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 6 |
| 12 | Fixer (Foreign Exchange Rates API) | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 6 |
| 13 | CurrencyBeacon | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✗ | ✗ | 6 |
| 14 | FXRatesAPI | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | · | ✗ | 6 |
The APIs
#1 Twelve Data (Forex API)
72 / 100Twelve Data's Forex API delivers real-time and historical foreign exchange rates for 140 fiat currencies, 2,000+ currency pairs, and precious metals, targeting developers building algorithmic trading systems, financial applications, and multi-currency pricing tools. A free tier is available for testing but is prohibited from commercial use; paid plans start at $79 per month and unlock higher rate limits, WebSocket streaming, and access to 84 global exchanges with no daily credit caps. The REST API uses API key authentication and ships with official SDKs for Python, Node.js, Go, Java, R, C#, and a CLI, plus an MCP server. ISO 27001 certification and a published SLA apply; data redistribution requires a separate written agreement.
PricingSubscription · from $79 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPR · ISO 27001DoesThe catchA full market-data platform (stocks, forex, and crypto) rather than an FX specialist, so forex is one asset class among many and the free tier is non-commercial.#2 OANDA Exchange Rates API
57 / 100OANDA Exchange Rates API is a REST-based currency data service covering 200+ fiat currencies, 38,000+ forex pairs, precious metals, and over 32 years of historical data sourced from 20+ interbank participants and 100+ central banks, targeting financial compliance, accounting, ERP integration, and treasury workflows. Subscriptions start at $450 per month with a one-time 7-day unlimited trial, and cryptocurrency data requires the Premium + Crypto plan at $1,680 per month. The service holds SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and GDPR certifications with a published SLA, and counts eBay, Amazon, FedEx, and PwC among its customers.
PricingSubscription · from $450 month · free tier ✗TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byeBay, NATO, PwC, FedExThe catchInstitutional-grade rates with 32 years of history plus FIX and streaming, but there is no free tier and pricing starts at $450/month.#3 CurrencyFreaks
59 / 100CurrencyFreaks is a REST API providing real-time and historical foreign exchange rates for 166 fiat currencies, 4 precious metals, and 850 cryptocurrencies, with data sourced from forex exchanges, cryptocurrency exchanges, and national banks dating back to 1984. It suits developers building currency conversion, financial reporting, or multi-currency pricing features, with a free tier capped at 1,000 requests per month and USD base currency only. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month and unlock additional base currencies, conversion endpoints, time series, and update frequencies as fast as 60 seconds. SDKs are available in nine languages, and customers include HP, Gartner, and Equiti.
PricingSubscription · from $9.99 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byEquiti, HP, Gartner, University of GeorgiaAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#4 ExchangeRate-API
62 / 100ExchangeRate-API is a REST currency conversion service covering 161 fiat currencies sourced from 30-plus central banks and commercial forex marketplaces, suited for e-commerce pricing displays, financial dashboards, and multi-currency reporting. Pricing starts at $10 per month with a free tier of 1,500 requests per month, plus an unauthenticated open-access endpoint that requires attribution and updates daily. Higher plans unlock 5-minute rate refreshes and historical data back to 1990. Customers include Mastercard, Salesforce, and Zoho, and SDKs are available for PHP, Python, Java, Ruby, C#, and others.
PricingSubscription · from $10 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byMastercard, Salesforce, Accenture, PwCThe catchThe most generous free tier (open access, no key required), but free updates are only once daily and you may not redistribute the rate data.#5 CurrencyAPI
59 / 100CurrencyAPI is a REST-based exchange rate service covering 170+ currencies including fiat, precious metals, and major cryptocurrencies, suited for e-commerce multi-currency pricing, SaaS billing, and financial analytics. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month with a free tier of 300 requests per month limited to daily rate updates and private use only; real-time rates updating every 60 seconds require a Medium plan or higher. Official SDKs are available for eight languages including JavaScript, Python, PHP, Go, and Rust, and GDPR compliance is confirmed. An SLA is available on Large and Custom plans only.
PricingSubscription · from $9.99 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byBreatheilo GmbHAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#6 Abstract Exchange Rates API
73 / 100Abstract Exchange Rates API provides live and historical exchange rate data for 80+ fiat currencies, 7 cryptocurrencies, and commodities like gold and silver, sourced from the European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, and trusted partners. It targets developers building currency conversion, multi-currency pricing, and financial reporting features, with a free tier capped at 500 requests per month and paid subscriptions starting at $99 per month that refresh rates every 60 seconds. The REST API uses API key authentication, offers SDKs for Python, JavaScript, and PHP, and is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant, with a published SLA.
PricingSubscription · from $99 month · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPRDoesUsed bySalesforce, Google, PepsiCo, Wells Fargo#7 FreeCurrencyAPI
50 / 100FreeCurrencyAPI is a REST API providing daily exchange rates and historical data back to 1999 for 34 fiat currencies, aimed at hobby projects and developers building currency conversion or display features. The free tier allows 1,000 requests per month with no commercial use permitted; paid plans on the related currencyapi.com unlock commercial use and additional features. Self-serve signup requires only an API key, and official SDKs are available for JavaScript, Python, PHP, Go, Ruby, Rust, C#, and R. The service is GDPR compliant, though no SLA is published.
PricingSubscription · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesThe catchGenuinely free for hobby projects, but the free tier bars commercial use; going commercial means upgrading to its sibling CurrencyAPI.#8 XE Currency Data API
50 / 100XE Currency Data API is a REST-based exchange rate service covering 220+ world currencies, precious metals, and selected cryptocurrencies, with data sourced from 100+ financial institutions and central banks and rates updated as often as every 60 seconds. Historical data reaches back to 1995, making it suited for financial reporting, ERP/CRM integration, and volatility analysis. Plans start at $799/year (Lite, 10,000 requests/month) with a 7-day free trial, scaling to enterprise tiers with unlimited requests. Official SDKs are available for Java, PHP, Python, and Node.js, and the API uses HTTP Basic authentication.
PricingSubscription · from $799 year · free tier ✗TrustGDPRDoesThe catchThe trusted XE brand sourcing from 100+ providers and central banks, but there is no free tier (7-day trial only) and pricing starts at $799/year.#9 Open Exchange Rates
54 / 100Open Exchange Rates is a REST API delivering live and historical foreign exchange data for over 200 fiat currencies, precious metals, and select cryptocurrencies, with history dating to January 1999. It serves use cases from e-commerce multi-currency pricing and financial reporting to open-source projects, with notable customers including Shopify, WooCommerce, and CoinDesk. Plans start at $12 per month with self-serve signup; a free tier is available but locks the base currency to USD and caps requests at 1,000 per month. Update frequency ranges from hourly on entry-level plans down to one second on the VIP tier, and the service is GDPR-compliant.
PricingSubscription · from $12 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byShopify, WooCommerce, CoinDesk, Nomad ListThe catchThe reference FX API with the deepest adoption, but the free plan locks you to a USD base currency and the /convert endpoint is reserved for the top Unlimited tier.#10 currencylayer
59 / 100Currencylayer is a REST API for real-time and historical exchange rates, covering 168 world currencies and precious metals (gold and silver) with data sourced from commercial banks worldwide and historical records going back to 1999. It suits e-commerce multi-currency pricing, financial back-office systems, investment banking, and mobile apps. Subscriptions start at $14.99 per month with self-serve signup, and a free tier provides 100 requests per month at daily update frequency with USD as the only base currency. Notable customers include Disney Pixar, Lyft, and Freelancer.
PricingSubscription · from $14.99 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byDisney Pixar, Lyft, Griffin, TeamViewerAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#11 Exchange Rates API (exchangeratesapi.io)
53 / 100Exchange Rates API (exchangeratesapi.io) is a REST API delivering real-time and historical currency exchange rate data for 200+ currencies, including precious metals and Bitcoin, with historical records back to 1999. It targets developers building currency conversion tools, multi-currency pricing systems, and financial reporting applications. Pricing starts at $14.99/month after a free tier capped at 100 requests/month with daily updates and EUR-only base currency; paid plans unlock HTTPS, faster refresh rates (down to 60 seconds on Business), source currency switching, and higher request quotas up to 500,000/month.
PricingSubscription · from $14.99 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#12 Fixer (Foreign Exchange Rates API)
58 / 100Fixer is a REST API for foreign exchange rates and currency conversion, covering 170 world currencies plus Bitcoin, Gold, and Silver, with historical data back to January 1999 sourced from 15 or more financial providers including the European Central Bank. It suits developers building currency converters, financial reporting tools, and multi-currency pricing systems. Plans start at $14.99 per month after a free tier capped at 100 requests per month; the free tier locks the base currency to EUR and excludes conversion, time-series, and fluctuation endpoints. Notable customers include Microsoft, Samsung, and Instacart.
PricingSubscription · from $14.99 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byMicrosoft, Samsung, Instacart, BershkaAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#13 CurrencyBeacon
61 / 100CurrencyBeacon is a REST API providing live and historical exchange rates for 167 fiat currencies and over 14,000 crypto assets, with data sourced from 20+ central banks and Forex providers and history stretching back to 1996. It targets developers and AI agents building checkout systems, dashboards, and financial reporting tools. Pricing starts at $10/month with a free tier of 5,000 requests, and higher plans unlock faster refresh rates down to real-time. Customers include Coca-Cola, Deloitte, and Careem, and an MCP server is available for agent integrations.
PricingSubscription · from $10 month · free tier ✓DoesUsed byWooCommerce, Coca-Cola, Columbia Sportswear, CareemAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#14 FXRatesAPI
46 / 100FXRatesAPI is a REST-based currency data service covering 180+ fiat currencies, major cryptocurrencies, and precious metals, with rates sourced from 20+ providers and historical data going back to 1990. It targets developers building financial apps, multi-currency pricing systems, or forex displays. The service offers self-serve subscription tiers with no rate limiting above the free plan, though the free tier is capped at 1,000 requests per month and excludes historical, conversion, and time-series endpoints. A JavaScript SDK is available, and higher plans refresh rates every 60 seconds.
PricingSubscription · free tier ✓DoesAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements