ExchangeRate-API (exchangerate-api.com) is one of the most popular free currency APIs on the web. It's simple, it works, and the free tier is generous at 1,500 requests per month. But as your project grows past a prototype, you start hitting real limitations: daily-only updates, no official SDKs, and no path to real-time data at any price.
This article is an honest, feature-by-feature comparison of ExchangeRate-API vs Exchange Rate API (exchange-rateapi.com) so you can decide which fits your use case.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | ExchangeRate-API | Exchange Rate API |
|---|---|---|
| Update Frequency | Once per day | Every 60 seconds (paid) / daily (free) |
| Free Tier | 1,500 req/month | 300 req/month (real-time capable) |
| Official SDKs | None | JavaScript, Python, PHP, Java |
| Base Currency | Any (paid plans) | Any (all plans) |
| HTTPS | All plans | All plans (including free) |
| Historical Rates | Paid only | Free tier included |
| Currencies | 161 | 160+ |
| Data Source | Open-access aggregation | Reuters / Refinitiv |
| Starting Price | $9.99/mo | €4.99/mo |
Update Frequency: Daily vs 60-Second
This is the single biggest difference. ExchangeRate-API updates all rates once per day , regardless of which plan you're on. That's fine for invoicing workflows where yesterday's rate is acceptable, but it's a dealbreaker for:
- E-commerce checkout where customers see stale prices
- Payment processing where a day-old rate creates margin risk
- Trading dashboards where users expect near-live data
- Multi-currency SaaS where pricing needs to reflect current markets
Exchange Rate API refreshes rates every 60 seconds from Reuters/Refinitiv on paid tiers. Even on the free tier, you get daily rates sourced from the same institutional feed.
Free Tier: Quantity vs Quality
ExchangeRate-API's free tier gives you 1,500 requests per month. That sounds generous compared to Exchange Rate API's 300. But consider what you get per request:
- ExchangeRate-API Free : Daily rates, open-access data, no historical, limited endpoints
- Exchange Rate API Free : Daily rates from Reuters/Refinitiv, historical rates included, any base currency, HTTPS
If you're building something that needs to go beyond a demo, the data quality and historical access in Exchange Rate API's free tier gives you a much stronger foundation to build on.
SDKs: Build Faster with Official Libraries
ExchangeRate-API doesn't provide official SDKs. You write raw HTTP calls and parse JSON yourself. Exchange Rate API ships official SDKs for the four most popular server-side languages:
JavaScript / Node.js
import ExchangeRateAPI from '@exchangerateapi/sdk';
const client = new ExchangeRateAPI('YOUR_API_KEY');
const rate = await client.getRate('USD', 'EUR');
console.log(rate); // 0.9142
Python
from exchangerateapi import Client
client = Client("YOUR_API_KEY")
rate = client.get_rate("USD", "EUR")
print(rate) # 0.9142
Official SDKs mean type safety, automatic retries, built-in error handling, and no time wasted writing boilerplate HTTP code.
Base Currency Flexibility
ExchangeRate-API limits base currency selection on the free plan. Exchange Rate API lets you use any of its 160+ currencies as a base on every plan, including free. This matters if your users are in countries outside the USD/EUR mainstream and you need rates relative to BRL, INR, or NGN.
Data Source Quality
ExchangeRate-API aggregates from open-access sources. Exchange Rate API sources from Reuters/Refinitiv , the same institutional feed used by banks and financial platforms like XE. For most developer use cases the difference is negligible on major pairs (USD, EUR, GBP), but it can matter on exotic currencies where open-access sources have wider spreads.
When ExchangeRate-API Is Still a Good Choice
- You're building a hobby project and need the highest free request count
- Daily updates are genuinely sufficient for your use case
- You prefer ExchangeRate-API's simpler endpoint structure
- You don't need historical data or SDKs
When to Switch to Exchange Rate API
- You need real-time (60-second) updates
- You want official SDKs for faster integration
- You need historical rates (included free)
- You care about institutional-grade data sourcing
- You're building a production SaaS, e-commerce, or fintech product
Migration Is Simple
Switching from ExchangeRate-API to Exchange Rate API takes about 10 minutes. The response format is similar JSON, and if you use the SDK, you can reduce your integration code significantly:
# Before (ExchangeRate-API, raw HTTP)
import requests
resp = requests.get("https://v6.exchangerate-api.com/v6/KEY/latest/USD")
rate = resp.json()["conversion_rates"]["EUR"]
After (Exchange Rate API, official SDK)
from exchangerateapi import Client
client = Client("YOUR_API_KEY")
rate = client.get_rate("USD", "EUR")
FAQ
Is ExchangeRate-API free?
Yes, ExchangeRate-API offers a free tier with 1,500 requests per month. However, rates are updated only once per day and historical data is not included. For real-time rates, paid plans start at $9.99/month.
What is the best alternative to ExchangeRate-API?
Exchange Rate API (exchange-rateapi.com) is the top alternative for developers who need real-time updates, official SDKs, and historical data. Plans start at just €4.99/month with 60-second refresh rates.
Does ExchangeRate-API support real-time rates?
No. ExchangeRate-API updates rates once per day on all plans, including paid tiers. If you need real-time (60-second) updates, Exchange Rate API provides them starting on its lowest paid tier.
Ready to upgrade from daily rates to real-time? Get a free Exchange Rate API key and start integrating in minutes.
Get started in seconds
npm install @exchangerateapi/sdk
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