Databento VS Twelve Data
Head-to-head market data API comparison.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 7 axes scored
WINNER · DATABENTO · 3/7 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK DATABENTO IF DATA-API
- Quant researchers
- HFT developers
- Backtesting engines
- Academic research
▶ PICK TWELVE DATA IF DATA-API
- Global coverage needs
- Technical indicator API
- Fintech apps
- Forex + crypto combo
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | DATABENTO | TWELVE DATA |
|---|---|---|
| API Quality | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Doc Quality | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Data Latency | tick | second |
| SDK Languages | 6 languages | 5 languages |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliate Program | No | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 5 classes | 6 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Futures · US Options · Crypto · FX | US Equities · Global Equities · Forex · Crypto · ETFs · Indices |
| Historical Depth | 2004–present (varies by dataset) | 30+ years (daily); intraday varies by plan |
| Starting Price | From $0 | $0/mo |
| Rate Limits | No hard rate limits on historical; live feed by subscription tier | Credit-based; each endpoint consumes different credit amount |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | DATABENTO | TWELVE DATA |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| ETFs | — | ✓ Covered |
| FX | ✓ Covered | — |
| Forex | — | ✓ Covered |
| Global Equities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Indices | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| US Futures | ✓ Covered | — |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 5 | 6 |
Only Databento
US Futures · US Options · FX
Only Twelve Data
Global Equities · Forex · ETFs · Indices
Shared · 2
US Equities · Crypto
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 4 vs 4 tiers.
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
TWELVE DATA · 4 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Basic (Free) $0/mo
800 API credits/day, 8 WebSocket trial credits, 3 markets
02
Grow $79/mo
Real-time US stocks/commodities/fundamentals, 20+ markets ($66/mo annual)
03
Pro $229/mo
EU real-time, fixed income, mutual funds, 70+ markets ($191/mo annual)
04
Ultra $999/mo
99.95% SLA, dedicated support, 84 markets ($832/mo annual)
▲ Free Tier · Free: 800 API credits/day, 8 WebSocket connections
Technical Stack Fit
SDK languages and data formats determine integration cost for your existing codebase.
| DIMENSION | DATABENTO | TWELVE DATA |
|---|---|---|
| API Types | REST · WebSocket · SDK | REST · WebSocket |
| SDK Languages | Python · Rust · C++ · Go · Java · C# | Python · JavaScript · Java · PHP · R |
| Data Formats | DBZ (native) · CSV · JSON · Parquet | JSON · CSV |
| Rate Limits | No hard rate limits on historical; live feed by subscription tier | Credit-based; each endpoint consumes different credit amount |
| Latency Class | tick | second |
Fit Profile
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
TWELVE DATA · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Global coverage needs
- Technical indicator API
- Fintech apps
- Forex + crypto combo
Not Ideal For
- Tick data / HFT
- Deep US options data
- Large bulk downloads
Full Twelve Data Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
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