Alpaca VS Finnhub
Head-to-head market data API comparison.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 7 axes scored
WINNER · FINNHUB · 2/7 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK ALPACA IF DATA-API
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
▶ PICK FINNHUB IF DATA-API
- Indie developers
- Screener apps
- Sentiment / news analytics
- Global equities
▼ Skip both if
- Deep historical tick data
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | ALPACA | FINNHUB |
|---|---|---|
| API Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Doc Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Data Latency | second | second |
| SDK Languages | 4 languages | 5 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 · Global Equities · Forex · Crypto · ETFs |
| Historical Depth | 7+ years (minute bars); limited tick | 30+ years (daily); 1 year intraday on free |
| Starting Price | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Free: 60/min; paid: 300/min |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | ALPACA | FINNHUB |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| ETFs | — | ✓ Covered |
| Forex | — | ✓ Covered |
| Global Equities | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 3 | 5 |
Only Alpaca
US Options
Only Finnhub
Global Equities · Forex · ETFs
Shared · 2
US Equities · Crypto
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 2 vs 2 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)
FINNHUB · 2 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Free $0/mo
60 calls/min, real-time US + global quotes
02
All-In-One $50/mo
300 calls/min, premium datasets, financials
▲ Free Tier · Free: 60 API calls/min, real-time quotes, WebSocket trades
Technical Stack Fit
SDK languages and data formats determine integration cost for your existing codebase.
| DIMENSION | ALPACA | FINNHUB |
|---|---|---|
| API Types | REST · WebSocket · SDK | REST · WebSocket |
| SDK Languages | Python · JavaScript · Go · C# | Python · JavaScript · Go · Ruby · PHP |
| Data Formats | JSON | JSON |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Free: 60/min; paid: 300/min |
| Latency Class | second | second |
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
FINNHUB · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Indie developers
- Screener apps
- Sentiment / news analytics
- Global equities
Not Ideal For
- Tick data / HFT
- Deep intraday history free tier
- Futures
Full Finnhub Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
Alpaca vs DatabentoFinnhub vs DatabentoAlpaca vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Finnhub vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Alpaca vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Finnhub vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Alpaca vs Alpha VantageFinnhub vs Alpha VantageAlpaca vs Twelve DataFinnhub vs Twelve DataAlpaca vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Finnhub vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Alpaca vs FinazonFinnhub vs FinazonAlpaca vs OANDAFinnhub vs OANDA