Quick answer
ExchangeRate-API - ExchangeRate-API wins for most builders because its free tier is more usable for real development and testing, while Currencyapi.com is better only if you want a very small number of requests and care more about slightly fresher paid-plan update cadence.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers are aimed at the same job, but they shape up differently. Currencyapi.com gives you the basics, including latest and historical rates, but the free plan is very tight at 300 requests per month and is limited to private use. It is mainly a low-friction sandbox. ExchangeRate-API is also capped, but its free tier is broader in practice: 1.5K requests per month, daily updates, historical data, relaxed quota enforcement, email support, and enriched data. That makes it easier to build and test without immediately bumping into limits. On the paid side, both stay simple and flat-priced at the starter levels. Currencyapi.com offers more request volume at the first paid tier, while ExchangeRate-API is cheaper to enter and scales through separate flat tiers. If you are choosing a free tier for a side project, prototype, or integration test, ExchangeRate-API is usually the more forgiving start.
Currencyapi.com vs ExchangeRate-API free tier, side by side
| Currencyapi.comFTV 49 | ExchangeRate-APIFTV 52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requests per monthExchangeRate-API gives 5x more free volume. | 300 requests | 1.5K requests |
| API keys on free planOnly Currencyapi.com states a free-plan API key limit. | 1 API key | Not specified |
| Update cadence on free planBoth free tiers update daily. | Daily updates | Once per day |
| Historical data on free planBoth include historical rates/data in the free tier. | Included | Included |
| Commercial use on free planCurrencyapi.com explicitly restricts the free tier to private use. | Private use only | Not specified |
| Requests at first paid tierExchangeRate-API’s first paid tier includes 2x the request volume. | 15,000 requests/month | 30,000 requests/month |
| Update cadence at first paid tierThese are functionally similar. | Hourly updates | Updates every 60 minutes |
After you outgrow the free tier
Both products use simple flat monthly pricing for their first paid tiers. Currencyapi.com starts at $9.99/month and gives 15,000 requests, then steps up to $39.99 and $79.99 with larger fixed request blocks. ExchangeRate-API starts at $10/month for 30,000 requests, then moves to $30/month for 125k. For small teams, ExchangeRate-API is the cheaper paid entry and gives more requests at the starter level. Currencyapi.com becomes more attractive only if you specifically value its larger mid- and high-tier request ceilings.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Currencyapi.com | ExchangeRate-API |
|---|---|---|
| 15k requests/moCurrencyapi.com’s first paid tier matches this usage exactly; ExchangeRate-API’s free tier does not cover this volume, so its paid path starts here only if you need more than 1.5K requests. | $9.99/mo | Free (within tier) |
| 30k requests/moCurrencyapi.com’s Small plan is short of 30k, so you would need a higher plan; ExchangeRate-API’s Pro plan covers it. | $39.99/mo | $10/mo |
| 125k requests/moExchangeRate-API’s Business plan covers 125k exactly; Currencyapi.com would need at least the Medium plan for 600k requests, which is more capacity than this scenario needs. | $39.99/mo minimum, but likely insufficient | $30/mo |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Currencyapi.com when…
- You only need a tiny sandbox for a proof of concept and can stay under 300 requests per month.
- You want latest and historical FX data but do not need commercial use on the free plan.
- You care about a free tier with no credit card requirement and a simple private-use setup.
- You expect to move quickly to a paid plan with much higher request volume per dollar at the first step up.
Pick ExchangeRate-API when…
- You need a free tier that is usable for more than a few tests and want 1.5K requests per month.
- You want relaxed quota enforcement, email support, and enriched data on the free plan.
- You are building a small internal tool or prototype that will make repeated API calls during development.
- You want a cheaper entry point to paid plans, even if the first paid tier gives fewer requests than Currencyapi.com’s starter plan.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, ExchangeRate-API is the better free tier. It gives more room to test, easier day-to-day use, and more free requests before you have to think about upgrading. Currencyapi.com is the tighter sandbox, but it does offer a very low-cost starter paid plan if you know you will outgrow the free cap quickly. If you are just picking one to start with, ExchangeRate-API is the safer default.
Read the full listings: Currencyapi.com and ExchangeRate-API. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.