Quick answer
ExchangeRate-API - ExchangeRate-API wins for most builders because its free tier is more generous on requests and feature parity, while CurrencyFreaks only pulls ahead if you specifically need more currencies or faster update cadence on paid plans.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve the same basic job, but they lean in different directions. CurrencyFreaks is the more rate-heavy API: it covers 1,025 currencies, gives 1,000 calls per month for free, and the paid ladder adds faster updates as you climb. ExchangeRate-API is the more forgiving starter plan: 1.5K requests per month for free, daily updates, historical data, relaxed quota enforcement, and email support, plus a much higher feature-parity score in the free tier. If you are building a small app, prototype, or internal tool and want the free tier to last longer before you pay, ExchangeRate-API is the easier default. CurrencyFreaks is better when breadth of currency coverage and upgrade path details matter more than the free cap.
CurrencyFreaks vs ExchangeRate-API free tier, side by side
| CurrencyFreaksFTV 45 | ExchangeRate-APIFTV 52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free monthly quotaExchangeRate-API gives more free usage. | 1,000 API calls/month | 1.5K API requests/month |
| Free update cadenceEffectively similar at the free tier. | 24-hour exchange rate updates | Updates once per day |
| Currencies supportedCurrencyFreaks is broader on coverage. | 1,025 currencies | 165 currencies |
| Cheapest paid tierPrices are essentially the same at entry level. | Starter at US$9.99/month | Pro at $10/month |
| Starter paid quotaExchangeRate-API doubles the request cap at the first paid tier. | 15K API calls/month | 30K API requests/month |
| Next paid update cadenceSame cadence, different wording. | Hourly updates | Updates every 60 minutes |
After you outgrow the free tier
Both products use flat monthly pricing after the free tier. CurrencyFreaks starts at US$9.99/month for 15K calls and then steps to US$49.99/month for 150K and US$99.99/month for 550K, with enterprise pricing by contact. ExchangeRate-API starts at $10/month for 30K requests and then moves to $30/month for 125K. For small-team usage, ExchangeRate-API is cheaper at the low end and gives more requests per dollar. CurrencyFreaks becomes more about feature access and higher-ceiling plans, not lower entry cost.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | CurrencyFreaks | ExchangeRate-API |
|---|---|---|
| 10k API calls/moBoth stay within the first paid tier. | Starter - US$9.99/month | Pro - $10/month |
| 50k API calls/moExchangeRate-API reaches this volume on its second paid tier, while CurrencyFreaks needs Growth. | Growth - US$49.99/month | Business - $30/month |
| 125k API calls/moBoth can cover this level, but ExchangeRate-API is cheaper. | Growth - US$49.99/month | Business - $30/month |
| 150k API calls/moCurrencyFreaks names 150K on Growth; ExchangeRate-API's Business tier tops out at 125K in the provided data, so higher usage would need a higher or custom plan not listed. | Growth - US$49.99/month | Business - $30/month |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick CurrencyFreaks when…
- You need access to 1,025 currencies and care more about coverage breadth than free request volume.
- You expect to upgrade for faster rate updates and want a clear ladder from daily to hourly to 10-minute and 60-second updates.
- You are building around endpoints like IP-to-currency detection, time series, or historical conversion and want those features in the paid tiers.
- Your app will stay under 1,000 calls per month and you want a free plan with no credit card required.
Pick ExchangeRate-API when…
- You want the free tier to last longer on request volume, since it includes 1.5K requests per month versus 1K.
- You want a free plan that already includes historical data, email support, relaxed quota enforcement, and enriched data.
- You are prototyping a basic currency conversion feature and do not need the larger currency list that CurrencyFreaks advertises.
- You want a simple flat-priced upgrade path starting at $10/month with a 14-day paid trial.
Bottom line
For most builders choosing a free tier, ExchangeRate-API is the safer default because it gives you more free requests, stronger apparent free-tier completeness, and a simple $10 entry point. CurrencyFreaks is the better pick if your use case depends on broader currency coverage or you already know you will care about its faster update tiers and higher-volume roadmap. If you are just trying to launch a small conversion feature without paying right away, ExchangeRate-API is usually the easier place to start.
Read the full listings: CurrencyFreaks 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.