Quick answer
FXRatesAPI - FXRatesAPI wins for most builders because its free tier gives more requests, tighter hourly access, and a much cheaper path to scale, while Abstract Exchange Rate API is better only if you specifically want broader enterprise support or can live with a smaller free quota.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve the same problem, but they aim at different stages of a build. Abstract Exchange Rate API is the more conservative starter plan: 500 requests per month, a 1 request/second limit, and free access to live and historical data. FXRatesAPI is more generous on raw usage with 1,000 requests per month and 60 requests per hour, and it gives a clear ladder from Free to $10 Standard, $30 Professional, and $80 Unlimited. The real difference shows up after the free tier. Abstract jumps to a $99/month Standard plan, then custom Enterprise pricing. FXRatesAPI stays inexpensive for a long time and removes rate limits on paid tiers, which matters for hobby apps, dashboards, and early production tools.
Abstract Exchange Rate API vs FXRatesAPI free tier, side by side
| Abstract Exchange Rate APIFTV 50 | FXRatesAPIFTV 52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requests per monthFXRatesAPI gives 2x the monthly request allowance. | 500 | 1,000 |
| Free rate limitDifferent limit styles; FXRatesAPI is better for short bursts, Abstract is steadier per second. | 1 request/second | 60 requests/hour |
| Live data access on free tierBoth include core exchange-rate access in the free tier. | Yes | Yes |
| Historical data access on free tierBoth expose historical data, but feature depth on paid plans differs. | Yes | Yes |
| No credit card requiredBoth inputs explicitly say no card is required. | Yes | Yes |
After you outgrow the free tier
Abstract Exchange Rate API is flat-priced at $99/month for its first paid tier, then moves to custom Enterprise pricing. FXRatesAPI has a much cheaper flat ladder: $10/month Standard, $30/month Professional, and $80/month Unlimited. Because both are fixed-price plans, the cost gap is easy to see: FXRatesAPI stays dramatically cheaper at every visible step, and it also removes rate limits on paid tiers. Abstract only starts to make sense if you specifically need its enterprise package and support structure.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Abstract Exchange Rate API | FXRatesAPI |
|---|---|---|
| 500 requests/moBoth stay inside the free plan. | Free (within tier) | Free (within tier) |
| 1,000 requests/moAbstract's free quota is exceeded; FXRatesAPI is still within its free monthly limit. | Over free tier, needs paid plan | Free (within tier) |
| 10k requests/moFXRatesAPI's Standard plan advertises 10k requests/month. | Over free tier, needs paid plan | $10/mo |
| 60k requests/moAbstract's Standard plan is 60,000 requests/month; FXRatesAPI's Unlimited plan is $80/month with unlimited requests, while Professional is $30/month and lists 500k requests/month. | $99/mo | $30/mo or $80/mo depending on needed volume |
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 live and historical exchange-rate lookups but your app will stay under 500 requests/month.
- You want a free tier with no credit card requirement and only need a light integration for testing or demos.
- You expect low, bursty traffic where 1 request per second is enough.
- You care about enterprise support features like SSO/SAML, an SLA, onboarding, and an account manager later on.
Pick FXRatesAPI when…
- You want the larger free quota of 1,000 requests/month.
- You need a higher hourly ceiling for small bursts, since the free plan allows 60 requests/hour.
- You want a cheap upgrade path at $10/month instead of jumping to a much higher paid tier.
- You expect to outgrow the free tier and want no-rate-limit plans without a big price jump.
- You need broader endpoint access and stronger paid-tier value for a small app or side project.
Bottom line
For most builders, FXRatesAPI is the better free-tier choice because it gives you more breathing room now and a far cheaper upgrade path later. Abstract Exchange Rate API is the pick only if you are very light on usage today and you want its enterprise-oriented path for later, including SLA and support options. If you are building a side project, dashboard, or small production integration, FXRatesAPI is the easier product to grow with.
Read the full listings: Abstract Exchange Rate API and FXRatesAPI. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.