10 Best Free Market Data API for Algo Traders (My Go-To Picks)

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Alright, letโ€™s get real for a second. When I first started algo trading, I was on a tight budget. I needed good data, but I didnโ€™t want to spend hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on expensive APIs. Sound familiar?

The good news is, there are plenty of free or affordable market data APIs out there that wonโ€™t break the bank. The bad news? Not all of them are worth your time. So, Iโ€™ve done the legwork for you and put together a list ofย 10 genuinely free or low-cost API for Algo Tradersย that Iโ€™ve personally used or tested. Letโ€™s dive in.

1. Alpha Vantage

API for Algo Traders

Letโ€™s start with a classic. Alpha Vantage is my go-to for stock and forex data. Itโ€™s free, easy to use, and offers both historical and real-time data. The documentation is clear, and Iโ€™ve never had trouble integrating it into my projects. If youโ€™re new to algo trading, this is a great place to start.

ย 2. Mobula API

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Mobula is a fantastic alternative for crypto traders. It offers real-time market data, historical prices, and even wallet tracking for over 15,000 cryptocurrencies. The free tier is generous, with 300,000 credits per month and no rate limits. Iโ€™ve used it for building crypto bots, and itโ€™s been a game-changer.

3. CoinMarketCap API

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If youโ€™re into crypto, CoinMarketCap is a solid alternative. It offers real-time and historical data on thousands of cryptocurrencies, including prices, market capitalization, and trading volume. The free tier is limited, but itโ€™s perfect for developers and traders who need comprehensive market data without paying a premium.

4. Yahoo Finance

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Okay, I know what youโ€™re thinking: โ€œYahoo Finance? Really?โ€ But hear me out. Itโ€™s free, itโ€™s reliable, and it covers a ton of assetsโ€”stocks, ETFs, forex, you name it. Iโ€™ve used it for quick data pulls when I didnโ€™t need anything fancy. Itโ€™s not perfect, but it gets the job done.

5. Tiingo

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Tiingo is one of those hidden gems I stumbled on a while back. Itโ€™s got a mix of stock, forex, and crypto data, and I love that it includes news sentiment analysis. The free tier is a bit limited, but itโ€™s worth checking out if you want something a little more advanced.

6. IEX Cloud

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IEX Cloud is my top pick for US stock data. Itโ€™s fast, reliable, and the free tier is surprisingly generous. Plus, itโ€™s backed by IEX, the exchange that made waves with Flash Boys. If youโ€™re trading US equities, this is a no-brainer.

7. Quandl (Nasdaq Data Link)

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Quandl is like a treasure chest of financial data. Itโ€™s got everything from stock prices to economic indicators. Some datasets are paid, but thereโ€™s still plenty of free data to play with. Iโ€™ve used it for niche projects, and itโ€™s always delivered.

8. Polygon (formerly Polygon.io)

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Polygon is a beast when it comes to stock and options data. The free tier is limited, but if youโ€™re serious about real-time data, itโ€™s worth a look. Iโ€™ve used it for building high-frequency trading models, and itโ€™s been rock-solid.

9. Financial Modeling Prep

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If youโ€™re into fundamental analysis like I am, Financial Modeling Prep is a game-changer. It offers free access to financial statements, analyst estimates, and more. Iโ€™ve used it for building valuation models, and itโ€™s been incredibly useful.

10. OpenBB (formerly Gamestonk Terminal)

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Last but not least, OpenBB is an open-source platform that aggregates data from multiple sources. Itโ€™s not a traditional API, but I love how flexible it is. Iโ€™ve used it for experimenting with different datasets, and itโ€™s been a huge time-saver.

The Catch with Free APIs

Now, letโ€™s be real: free APIs arenโ€™t perfect. Iโ€™ve run into rate limits, data delays, and missing features more times than I can count. But hereโ€™s the thingโ€”theyโ€™re a fantastic starting point. They let you test your ideas, refine your strategy, and learn the ropes without spending a dime.

And when youโ€™re ready to scale up, you can always upgrade to a paid plan. But for now, these free tools are more than enough to get you started.

Whatโ€™s Next?

If youย areย serious about algo trading, you know that staying ahead of the curve is everything.

Once youย haveย your data sorted,ย itย isย timeย toย buildย smarter, faster, and more efficient algorithms. Want to take your trading to the next level?ย Haveย aย look atย my blog on 10 AI Agent Tools That Are Reshaping the Algorithmic Trading Industry in 2025. It’sย filledย withย allย insights on how AI is revolutionizing tradingโ€”trust me, youย won’t want to missย it.

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