Free Currency Exchange APIs: A Guide
In today’s digital landscape, currency exchange data is essential for many applications, including financial platforms, e-commerce sites, travel apps, and more. A range of free APIs provides currency exchange rates for developers needing real-time or historical data. Here’s a list of some of the top free currency exchange APIs, including those from central banks around the world.
Free Currency Exchange APIs: A Guide
In today’s digital landscape, currency exchange data is essential for many applications, including financial platforms, e-commerce sites, travel apps, and more. A range of free APIs provides currency exchange rates for developers needing real-time or historical data. Here’s a list of some of the top free currency exchange APIs, including those from central banks around the world.
1. Fixer.io
Fixer.io is a simple and reliable API that provides foreign exchange rates for over 170 currencies, updated daily. Its free plan offers limited access, making it suitable for small to medium-sized projects. Fixer.io is backed by data from trusted sources like the European Central Bank (ECB).
- Features: Real-time exchange rates, historical data, endpoint options.
- Free Plan: Access to daily updated rates and limited endpoints.
- Usage Limits: 1,000 requests per month (for the free plan).
- Data Source: European Central Bank (ECB) and other market data providers.
- Link: Fixer.io
2. CurrencyLayer
CurrencyLayer offers reliable currency exchange rates and covers over 168 currencies with options for both real-time and historical data. Its free plan provides hourly exchange rates, and premium plans unlock more advanced features.
- Features: Real-time exchange rates, historical data, and customizable response formatting.
- Free Plan: 250 requests per month.
- Usage Limits: Updates hourly (for free plan).
- Data Source: Aggregated from multiple forex providers.
- Link: CurrencyLayer
3. Open Exchange Rates
Open Exchange Rates provides accurate exchange rates sourced from reliable providers. It supports over 170 currencies and offers rates updated every 6 to 12 hours for the free plan.
- Features: Real-time rates, historical data, customizable currency conversions.
- Free Plan: Up to 1,000 requests per month with limited update frequency.
- Usage Limits: Updates every 12 hours (for the free plan).
- Data Source: Aggregated from various reliable sources.
- Link: Open Exchange Rates
4. CurrencyAPI.com
CurrencyAPI.com provides real-time exchange rates for more than 150 currencies, with data updated every 30 minutes in the free plan. It is a straightforward choice for applications requiring frequent updates but with manageable request limits.
- Features: Real-time rates, historical data, multiple endpoints.
- Free Plan: Up to 300 requests per month.
- Usage Limits: Updates every 30 minutes (for free plan).
- Data Source: Aggregated from multiple providers.
- Link: CurrencyAPI.com
5. FreeCurrencyAPI.com
This API delivers exchange rate data from 1999 to the present, offering extensive historical data and daily updated rates for over 150 currencies. It’s highly flexible for applications requiring both real-time and historical exchange rates.
- Features: Real-time rates, extensive historical data, easy integration.
- Free Plan: Up to 1,000 requests per month.
- Usage Limits: Daily updates.
- Data Source: Aggregated from reliable sources.
- Link: FreeCurrencyAPI.com
6. Brazil Central Bank API (Banco Central do Brasil – BCB)
The Banco Central do Brasil offers a free exchange rate API that provides access to the Brazilian Real (BRL) exchange rates against multiple currencies. It’s ideal for applications focused on the Brazilian market.
- Features: BRL-based exchange rates, real-time and historical data.
- Free Plan: Unlimited usage (subject to terms).
- Usage Limits: Updated daily.
- Data Source: Banco Central do Brasil.
- Link: Brazil Central Bank API
7. European Central Bank (ECB) API
The European Central Bank (ECB) provides daily updated rates for the Euro against various currencies. While not as comprehensive as commercial APIs, it’s accurate and reliable for Euro-based currency conversions.
- Features: EUR-based exchange rates, daily updates.
- Free Plan: Open access.
- Usage Limits: Daily updates.
- Data Source: European Central Bank.
- Link: ECB API
8. Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) API
The FRED API offers exchange rate data alongside extensive economic data, making it a valuable source for financial analysis applications. It supports USD-based rates and includes historical data for various currencies.
- Features: USD-based exchange rates, extensive economic data, historical data.
- Free Plan: Unlimited requests (with API key).
- Usage Limits: Updated daily or monthly, depending on the currency.
- Data Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
- Link: FRED API
Comparison Table of Free Currency Exchange APIs
| API Name | Free Plan Limits | Usage Frequency | Supported Currencies | Data Source | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixer.io | 1,000 requests/month | Daily | 170+ | European Central Bank | Fixer.io |
| CurrencyLayer | 250 requests/month | Hourly | 168 | Aggregated from multiple sources | CurrencyLayer |
| Open Exchange Rates | 1,000 requests/month | 6-12 hours | 170+ | Aggregated | Open Exchange Rates |
| CurrencyAPI.com | 300 requests/month | 30 minutes | 150+ | Aggregated | CurrencyAPI.com |
| FreeCurrencyAPI.com | 1,000 requests/month | Daily | 150+ | Aggregated | FreeCurrencyAPI.com |
| Brazil Central Bank | Unlimited | Daily | BRL exchange rates | Banco Central do Brasil | Brazil Central Bank API |
| ECB | Open access | Daily | EUR exchange rates | European Central Bank | ECB API |
| FRED | Unlimited with API key | Daily/Monthly | USD exchange rates | Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis | FRED API |
Each of these APIs provides distinct benefits, from real-time data to historical records and specific currency focuses. Select the one that best suits your project’s needs!
edvaldo b. guimarães filho 