Alpaca VS Databento
Head-to-head market data API comparison.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 7 axes scored
WINNER · DATABENTO · 4/7 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK ALPACA IF DATA-API
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
▶ PICK DATABENTO IF DATA-API
- Quant researchers
- HFT developers
- Backtesting engines
- Academic research
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | ALPACA | DATABENTO |
|---|---|---|
| API Quality | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Doc Quality | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Data Latency | second | tick |
| SDK Languages | 4 languages | 6 languages |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliate Program | No | No |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 3 classes | 5 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Options · Crypto | US Equities · US Futures · US Options · Crypto · FX |
| Historical Depth | 7+ years (minute bars); limited tick | 2004–present (varies by dataset) |
| Starting Price | $0/mo | From $0 |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | No hard rate limits on historical; live feed by subscription tier |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | ALPACA | DATABENTO |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| FX | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| US Futures | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 3 | 5 |
Only Databento
US Futures · FX
Shared · 3
US Equities · US Options · Crypto
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 2 vs 4 tiers.
ALPACA · 2 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Free $0/mo
Real-time IEX data + paper trading
02
Algo Trader Plus $99/mo
SIP real-time data + unlimited API calls
▲ Free Tier · Free tier: real-time IEX feed, unlimited historical (15-min delay on SIP)
DATABENTO · 4 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Usage-based From $0
Pay-as-you-go for historical data; no subscription
02
Standard $199/mo
Monthly subscription for individuals and small teams
03
Plus Per-contract
For investment firms and institutional service providers
04
Unlimited Per-contract
Complete historical access for institutional users
▲ Free Tier · $125 in free credits for new users (6-month expiry); usable on historical data
Technical Stack Fit
SDK languages and data formats determine integration cost for your existing codebase.
| DIMENSION | ALPACA | DATABENTO |
|---|---|---|
| API Types | REST · WebSocket · SDK | REST · WebSocket · SDK |
| SDK Languages | Python · JavaScript · Go · C# | Python · Rust · C++ · Go · Java · C# |
| Data Formats | JSON | DBZ (native) · CSV · JSON · Parquet |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | No hard rate limits on historical; live feed by subscription tier |
| Latency Class | second | tick |
Fit Profile
ALPACA · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
Not Ideal For
- International markets
- Deep historical tick data
- Options analytics
Full Alpaca Review
DATABENTO · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Quant researchers
- HFT developers
- Backtesting engines
- Academic research
Not Ideal For
- Retail traders needing cheap real-time quotes
- Non-technical users
Full Databento Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
Alpaca vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Databento vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Alpaca vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Databento vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Alpaca vs FinnhubDatabento vs FinnhubAlpaca vs Alpha VantageDatabento vs Alpha VantageAlpaca vs Twelve DataDatabento vs Twelve DataAlpaca vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Databento vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Alpaca vs FinazonDatabento vs FinazonAlpaca vs OANDADatabento vs OANDA