Alpaca provides a robust financial infrastructure platform combining commission-free API trading, comprehensive brokerage solutions, and real-time market data services. The platform supports multiple asset classes including stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies, offering developers extensive SDK support in Python, .NET/C#, Go, and Node. With features like OAuth integration, testing environments, and algorithmic trading capabilities, Alpaca enables fintech companies and developers to build sophisticated trading applications.

Alpaca Overview

Comprehensive API Infrastructure for Financial Markets

Alpaca's platform serves as a complete financial infrastructure solution, providing developers and fintech companies with essential tools for building trading applications. The platform's architecture is designed to support both traditional finance institutions and modern fintech innovations through its three core APIs: Broker API, Trading API, and Market Data API.

Multi-Language SDK Support for Seamless Integration

The platform offers extensive SDK support across multiple programming languages, making it accessible to developers with different technical backgrounds. The current official SDK lineup includes:

  • Python (alpaca-py) - Primary SDK with comprehensive API support
  • .NET/C# - Available via NuGet
  • Node - Accessible through npm
  • Go - Direct GitHub repository access

Additionally, community-contributed SDKs extend support to languages like C++, Java, R, Rust, Scala, Ruby, and Elixir, broadening the platform's accessibility.

Advanced Trading and Market Data Capabilities

Alpaca's trading infrastructure supports sophisticated trading strategies through:

  • Commission-free API trading execution
  • Real-time market data streams
  • Multiple asset class support
  • Testing environment for strategy validation
  • OAuth integration for secure authentication

Developer-Centric Documentation and Resources

The platform maintains comprehensive documentation and support resources, including:

  • Detailed API guides and reference materials
  • Code examples and implementation tutorials
  • Testing environments for development
  • Community support channels
  • Regular updates and maintenance

Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance

Alpaca implements robust security measures and compliance standards:

  • Secure API authentication protocols
  • OAuth-based access control
  • Testing environment for safe development
  • Regular security updates and monitoring
  • Compliance with financial regulations

Flexible Integration Options for Various Use Cases

The platform caters to diverse business needs through:

  • OAuth integration capabilities
  • Multiple SDK options
  • Testing environment access
  • Real-time data streaming
  • Custom implementation support

This versatility makes Alpaca suitable for various applications, from simple trading tools to complex financial platforms.

Alpaca Pricing

Free

--

monthly/ free

Features:

  • Access to paper trading environment
  • Real-time market data for US stocks
  • Basic REST API access
  • WebSocket market data streaming
  • Access to official SDKs
  • Basic technical support through community forums
  • Access to documentation and guides
  • Commission-free stock trading

Limits:

  • Limited to 200 API calls per minute
  • Maximum 3 concurrent connections
  • Delayed market data for some assets
  • Basic support only through community channels
  • Limited to paper trading environment
  • No access to premium features
  • US market hours trading only
Basic

49 USD

monthly/ subscription

Features:

  • All Free tier features
  • Live trading environment access
  • Real-time market data for US stocks and ETFs
  • Advanced REST API access
  • WebSocket market data streaming
  • Email support
  • Historical market data access
  • Commission-free stock and ETF trading
  • Extended hours trading

Limits:

  • Limited to 500 API calls per minute
  • Maximum 5 concurrent connections
  • Standard market data latency
  • Email support with 24-hour response time
  • Basic historical data access
  • US markets only
Pro

199 USD

monthly/ subscription

Features:

  • All Basic tier features
  • Advanced order types
  • Real-time market data for all asset classes
  • Priority API access
  • Multiple WebSocket connections
  • Priority email and chat support
  • Full historical market data access
  • Commission-free trading for all supported assets
  • 24/7 trading for supported assets
  • Advanced reporting and analytics

Limits:

  • Limited to 1000 API calls per minute
  • Maximum 10 concurrent connections
  • Premium market data latency
  • Priority support with 4-hour response time
  • Rolling 5-year historical data access
Enterprise

--

monthly/ custom

Features:

  • All Pro tier features
  • Custom API rate limits
  • Dedicated infrastructure
  • Custom market data feeds
  • 24/7 dedicated support
  • Custom integration assistance
  • Full historical data access
  • Custom reporting solutions
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Custom SLA agreements
  • White-label solutions available
  • Custom feature development

Limits:

  • Custom API limits based on needs
  • Unlimited concurrent connections available
  • Custom data retention policies
  • Custom support SLAs
  • Subject to enterprise agreement terms

Alpaca Alternatives

Vestlab

Vestlab

Infrastructure and development platform for cryptocurrency applications, offering node management, API services, and development tools for building and deploying blockchain solutions.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
BitcoinAverage

BitcoinAverage

Comprehensive cryptocurrency price API service providing real-time and historical data from 50+ exchanges. Features WebSocket feeds, custom index generation, and support for 172 fiat currencies since 2013.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
BlockCypher

BlockCypher

Enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure provider offering multi-cryptocurrency API services, node management, and development tools. Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major networks through REST APIs.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
Coinfeeds AI

Coinfeeds AI

AI-powered infrastructure platform providing portfolio monitoring, news feed integration, and custom NLP services for cryptocurrency exchanges, investment funds, and digital asset applications.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
CryptoCompare

CryptoCompare

Comprehensive cryptocurrency data and analytics platform offering real-time market data, professional API services, portfolio tracking, and enterprise-grade solutions for both retail and institutional clients.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
Polygon.io

Polygon.io

Institutional-grade financial market data infrastructure providing comprehensive coverage of stocks, options, indices, and currencies through modern APIs, flat files, and SQL interfaces.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
CCData

CCData

Enterprise-grade digital asset data platform providing real-time cryptocurrency market data, indices, and analytics across 300+ exchanges. Features comprehensive trade, derivatives, and order book coverage with 99.99% API uptime.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
Cede SDK

Cede SDK

Comprehensive CEX connectivity SDK enabling seamless integration with 15+ major exchanges, providing unified API access for balance tracking, deposits, withdrawals, and trading functionalities with enterprise-grade security.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
CoinAPI

CoinAPI

Enterprise-grade cryptocurrency data and trading infrastructure platform offering unified access to market data, trading automation, and index calculations across multiple exchanges through standardized APIs.

Last update: Sat Jan 04 2025
Explore more Market Data & Analytics tools

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join our community of traders and analysts today. Gain early access and equip yourself with state-of-the-art tools and services delivered to your inbox.

Newsletter