Quick answer
Currency Api - Currency Api wins for most builders because its free tier is more feature-complete and its paid ladder is cheaper and clearer as you scale, while Abstract Exchange Rate API is mainly the better free pick if you need historical data with a tighter request cap.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers look similar on the surface because both give you 500 requests per month and no credit card requirement, but they diverge in what you can actually do with those requests and how painful growth is. Abstract’s free tier is lean but includes live and historical currency data, which matters if you are testing charts, backfills, or analytics. Currency Api’s free tier is also capped at 500 requests, but it is more restrictive: no historical rates, personal use only, fixed base currency, and no team features. After free, Abstract jumps to a single $99/month plan for 60,000 requests, while Currency Api offers lower-priced entry plans at $9.99 and $34.99 with progressively higher limits and more features. For small builders, Currency Api is usually the gentler upgrade path.
Abstract Exchange Rate API vs Currency Api free tier, side by side
| Abstract Exchange Rate APIFTV 50 | Currency ApiFTV 48 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free monthly requests | 500 | 500 |
| Free update cadenceCurrency Api free tier does not include historical rates. | Live and historical data access within free tier limits | Updated every 60 minutes |
| Free rate limit | 1 request/second | 10 requests/minute |
| Free API keys | Access to exchange rate and currency conversion API key | Only 1 API key |
| Historical rates on free tier | Included | No |
| First paid monthly requests | 60,000 | 20,000 |
| First paid priceBoth first paid plans are flat-priced. | $99/month | $9.99/month |
After you outgrow the free tier
Abstract’s paid path is simple: one flat Standard plan at $99/month, then custom enterprise pricing. Currency Api has a much lower entry point with flat tiers at $9.99, $34.99, and $74.99/month, so the cost curve is gentler and more modular. For a small team, Currency Api is cheaper at every named paid tier shown. Abstract only starts to make sense if you specifically want its API shape or are comfortable jumping straight to a higher flat fee. Currency Api also gives you more ladder rungs before you need custom contracts.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Abstract Exchange Rate API | Currency Api |
|---|---|---|
| 500 requests/mo, one developer testingBoth free tiers cover this volume. | Free (within tier) | Free (within tier) |
| 20,000 requests/moCurrency Api’s Essential plan matches this volume. | Not covered by free; next known plan is $99/month | $9.99/month |
| 60,000 requests/moAbstract’s Standard plan is the first known fit. | $99/month | Needs higher than Essential; $34.99/month plan covers up to 125,000 requests |
| 125,000 requests/moCurrency Api’s StartUp plan covers this volume. | Above the listed Standard tier; enterprise pricing only | $34.99/month |
| 10,000,000 requests/moCurrency Api’s Professional plan covers this volume. | Enterprise pricing only | $74.99/month |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Abstract Exchange Rate API when…
- You need historical exchange rate data even on the free tier.
- You are validating a production integration that only needs a small number of requests per month.
- You want a free API without a credit card and do not care about team features yet.
- You expect to upgrade only if usage becomes serious and are okay with a bigger jump to $99/month.
Pick Currency Api when…
- You need the cheapest next step after the free tier.
- You want live rates plus conversion features in the paid plan without a large price jump.
- You expect to grow from a hobby project into a small team and want team management later.
- You want options from low-cost entry to much larger usage tiers before moving to custom enterprise pricing.
- You do not need historical data on the free tier and can live with hourly updates until you pay.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, Currency Api is the better overall choice because it offers a cheaper upgrade path, more pricing flexibility, and a fuller paid feature ladder. Abstract Exchange Rate API is the stronger free-only option if historical data matters on day one, but its jump from free to $99/month is steep. If you are building a small app, internal tool, or prototype that may grow, Currency Api is usually easier to start with and easier to keep paying for.
Read the full listings: Abstract Exchange Rate API and Currency Api. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.