Alpaca VS Marketstack
Head-to-head market data API comparison.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 7 axes scored
WINNER · ALPACA · 2/7 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK ALPACA IF DATA-API
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
▶ PICK MARKETSTACK IF DATA-API
- Web app developers
- Simple stock charts
- Basic portfolio apps
- Budget-conscious indie devs
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | ALPACA | MARKETSTACK |
|---|---|---|
| API Quality | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Doc Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Data Latency | second | minute |
| SDK Languages | 4 languages | 1 languages |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliate Program | No | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 3 classes | 6 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Options · Crypto | US Equities · Global Equities · ETFs · Global Indices · Bonds · Commodities |
| Historical Depth | 7+ years (minute bars); limited tick | 30+ years (annual EOD); intraday on Professional+ |
| Starting Price | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Free: 100/mo; Basic: 10k/mo; Pro: 100k/mo; Business: 500k/mo |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | ALPACA | MARKETSTACK |
|---|---|---|
| Bonds | — | ✓ Covered |
| Commodities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | — |
| ETFs | — | ✓ Covered |
| Global Equities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Global Indices | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 3 | 6 |
Only Alpaca
US Options · Crypto
Only Marketstack
Global Equities · ETFs · Global Indices · Bonds · Commodities
Shared · 1
US Equities
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 2 vs 5 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)
MARKETSTACK · 5 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Free $0/mo
100 req/mo, EOD only, 1-year history
02
Basic $9.99/mo
10,000 req/mo, intraday access, all asset types
03
Professional $49.99/mo
100,000 req/mo, real-time updates (sub-15min), commodities
04
Business $149.99/mo
500,000 req/mo, priority support
05
Enterprise Custom
Higher limits + SLA
▲ Free Tier · 100 requests/mo, EOD only, 1-year history
Technical Stack Fit
SDK languages and data formats determine integration cost for your existing codebase.
| DIMENSION | ALPACA | MARKETSTACK |
|---|---|---|
| API Types | REST · WebSocket · SDK | REST |
| SDK Languages | Python · JavaScript · Go · C# | REST-only (community Python wrappers exist) |
| Data Formats | JSON | JSON |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Free: 100/mo; Basic: 10k/mo; Pro: 100k/mo; Business: 500k/mo |
| Latency Class | second | minute |
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
MARKETSTACK · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Web app developers
- Simple stock charts
- Basic portfolio apps
- Budget-conscious indie devs
Not Ideal For
- Real-time HFT
- Tick-level analysis
- Options/futures traders
- Native SDK lovers
Full Marketstack Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
Alpaca vs DatabentoMarketstack vs DatabentoAlpaca vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Marketstack vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Alpaca vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Marketstack vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Alpaca vs FinnhubMarketstack vs FinnhubAlpaca vs Alpha VantageMarketstack vs Alpha VantageAlpaca vs Twelve DataMarketstack vs Twelve DataAlpaca vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Marketstack vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Alpaca vs FinazonMarketstack vs Finazon