Alpaca VS MetaAPI
Head-to-head market data API comparison.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 7 axes scored
Quick Decision
▶ PICK ALPACA IF DATA-API
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
▶ PICK METAAPI IF DATA-API
- MT4/MT5 EA automation
- Forex broker API access
- Copy trading systems
- Multi-account management
▼ Skip both if
- Deep historical tick data
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | ALPACA | METAAPI |
|---|---|---|
| API Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Doc Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Data Latency | second | second |
| SDK Languages | 4 languages | 3 languages |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliate Program | No | No |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 3 classes | 4 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Options · Crypto | Forex · CFDs · Indices · Commodities |
| Historical Depth | 7+ years (minute bars); limited tick | Broker-dependent; typically 1-5 years via MT4/MT5 |
| Starting Price | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Varies by plan; 10k calls/mo free |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | ALPACA | METAAPI |
|---|---|---|
| CFDs | — | ✓ Covered |
| Commodities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | — |
| Forex | — | ✓ Covered |
| Indices | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | — |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 3 | 4 |
Only Alpaca
US Equities · US Options · Crypto
Only MetaAPI
Forex · CFDs · Indices · Commodities
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 2 vs 3 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)
METAAPI · 3 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Free $0/mo
2 MT accounts, 10k API calls/mo
02
Growth $15/mo
10 accounts, 100k calls/mo
03
Scale $49/mo
50 accounts, 1M calls/mo
▲ Free Tier · Free: 2 accounts, limited API calls, community support
Technical Stack Fit
SDK languages and data formats determine integration cost for your existing codebase.
| DIMENSION | ALPACA | METAAPI |
|---|---|---|
| API Types | REST · WebSocket · SDK | REST · WebSocket · SDK |
| SDK Languages | Python · JavaScript · Go · C# | Python · JavaScript · Java |
| Data Formats | JSON | JSON |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Varies by plan; 10k calls/mo free |
| 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
METAAPI · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- MT4/MT5 EA automation
- Forex broker API access
- Copy trading systems
- Multi-account management
Not Ideal For
- US equities data
- Crypto exchange data
- Tick data archive
Full MetaAPI Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
Alpaca vs DatabentoMetaAPI vs DatabentoAlpaca vs Polygon.io (now Massive)MetaAPI vs Polygon.io (now Massive)Alpaca vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)MetaAPI vs IEX Cloud (Discontinued)Alpaca vs FinnhubMetaAPI vs FinnhubAlpaca vs Alpha VantageMetaAPI vs Alpha VantageAlpaca vs Twelve DataMetaAPI vs Twelve DataAlpaca vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)MetaAPI vs EODHD (EOD Historical Data)Alpaca vs FinazonMetaAPI vs Finazon