Alpaca VS Twelve Data
Head-to-head market data API comparison.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 7 axes scored
WINNER · TWELVE DATA · 2/7 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK ALPACA IF DATA-API
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
▶ PICK TWELVE DATA IF DATA-API
- Global coverage needs
- Technical indicator API
- Fintech apps
- Forex + crypto combo
▼ Skip both if
- Deep historical tick data
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | ALPACA | TWELVE DATA |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 3 classes | 6 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Options · Crypto | US Equities · Global Equities · Forex · Crypto · ETFs · Indices |
| Historical Depth | 7+ years (minute bars); limited tick | 30+ years (daily); intraday varies by plan |
| Starting Price | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Credit-based; each endpoint consumes different credit amount |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | ALPACA | TWELVE DATA |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| ETFs | — | ✓ Covered |
| Forex | — | ✓ Covered |
| Global Equities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Indices | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 3 | 6 |
Only Alpaca
US Options
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 · 2 vs 4 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)
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 | ALPACA | TWELVE DATA |
|---|---|---|
| API Types | REST · WebSocket · SDK | REST · WebSocket |
| SDK Languages | Python · JavaScript · Go · C# | Python · JavaScript · Java · PHP · R |
| Data Formats | JSON | JSON · CSV |
| Rate Limits | Free: 200 req/min; Algo Trader Plus: up to 10,000 req/min | Credit-based; each endpoint consumes different credit amount |
| 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
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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