Quick answer
FXRatesAPI - FXRatesAPI wins for most builders because its free tier is larger, less restrictive on hourly usage, and the paid ladder is easier to grow into without hitting a hard wall as quickly.
How the free tiers compare
Both products are straightforward currency and exchange-rate APIs, but the free tiers are aimed at different levels of experimentation. Currencyapi.com gives you the core endpoints and historical access, but only 300 requests per month and a tight 10 requests per minute cap, plus private use only. That makes it best for very small prototypes or internal tools. FXRatesAPI is still capped, but the free plan is more generous at 1,000 requests per month and 60 requests per hour, and it exposes more endpoint breadth on the public plan description. Once you need to move past free, Currencyapi.com’s first paid step is still modest at $9.99, while FXRatesAPI starts at $10 and climbs through clearer usage levels to unlimited at $80. Currencyapi.com is cheaper at the entry paid tier, but FXRatesAPI is the better free starting point for most builders.
Currencyapi.com vs FXRatesAPI free tier, side by side
| Currencyapi.comFTV 49 | FXRatesAPIFTV 52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requests per monthFXRatesAPI gives about 3.3x the monthly free volume. | 300 | 1,000 |
| Free rate limitThese limits are not directly equivalent, but FXRatesAPI is more forgiving for bursty small workloads. | 10 requests per minute | 60 requests per hour |
| Free API keysCurrencyapi.com explicitly includes one key. | 1 | Not stated |
| Free use rightsCurrencyapi.com’s free tier is explicitly non-commercial. | Private use only | Not stated |
| Latest data updates on free tierFXRatesAPI refreshes more often on the free plan. | Daily updates | Hourly updates |
| Historical data on free tierBoth free plans include historical access. | Included | Included |
After you outgrow the free tier
Both products use flat monthly pricing for their paid tiers, so the main difference is where the first step up lands and how quickly you can scale. Currencyapi.com starts at $9.99/mo for 15,000 requests, then jumps to $39.99/mo and $79.99/mo, with a custom tier above that. FXRatesAPI starts at $10/mo for 10k requests, then $30/mo for 500k requests, then $80/mo unlimited. Currencyapi.com is slightly cheaper at the entry level, but FXRatesAPI offers a stronger middle tier and a more explicit path for higher-volume builders.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Currencyapi.com | FXRatesAPI |
|---|---|---|
| 15k requests/moFXRatesAPI Standard is listed at 10k requests/month. | $9.99/mo | Not covered by Standard; would need at least $30/mo Professional if you need that volume |
| 100k requests/moFXRatesAPI Professional includes 500k requests/month. | Not covered by listed flat plans; custom / contact sales | $30/mo |
| 500k requests/moFXRatesAPI Professional is listed at 500k requests/month. | Not covered by listed flat plans; custom / contact sales | $30/mo |
| 1.7M requests/moCurrencyapi.com Large includes 1.7M requests/month; FXRatesAPI Unlimited is unlimited requests at $80/mo. | $79.99/mo or custom depending on account needs | $80/mo only if unlimited is the right fit; otherwise this volume exceeds the listed 500k tier and would need Unlimited |
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 are testing a currency lookup feature in a very small prototype and can stay under 300 requests a month.
- You only need one API key and do not need commercial use on the free tier.
- You want latest and historical rates with the smallest possible free integration footprint.
- You are fine with a 10 requests per minute cap and very light internal usage.
Pick FXRatesAPI when…
- You want a free tier that lasts longer during development and can handle up to 1,000 requests per month.
- You need a looser hourly throttle than 10 requests per minute because your app bursts in small batches.
- You are comparing paid upgrade paths and want a cleaner ladder from small team usage to higher-volume plans.
- You want more endpoint breadth on the paid path, including timeseries and wider plan options.
- You want to avoid switching off the free tier too early while validating a product.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, FXRatesAPI is the better free-tier choice because it gives you more breathing room before you have to pay. Currencyapi.com is the cheaper first paid step and may appeal if you know your app will stay small, but its free plan is tighter and non-commercial. If you are validating a product, FXRatesAPI is easier to live on; if you are already sure about low-volume usage and want the cheapest starter paid plan, Currencyapi.com has the edge.
Read the full listings: Currencyapi.com 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.