Developers researching Fixer API pricing often notice an important limitation immediately. The Fixer API free plan allows only 100 API requests per month and restricts the base currency to EUR. If your application requires USD or another base currency, you must upgrade to a paid plan.
Paid plans start at $13.99 per month, which removes some restrictions but can still be limiting for developers testing projects or building early-stage applications.
Because of these limitations, many developers compare Fixer with alternative currency APIs that offer larger free tiers, more flexible base currency options, and stronger developer features. In this guide, we compare Fixer API and CurrencyFreaks to help you understand the key differences in pricing, free plan limits, and features.
CurrencyFreaks Vs. Fixer API
| Feature | Fixer API | CurrencyFreaks |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan API Calls | ❌ 100 calls/month | ✔️ 1000 calls/month |
| Base Currency on Free Plan | ❌ EUR only | ✔️ USD |
| Starting Price | $13.99/month | $9.99/month |
| Supported Currencies | ~170 currencies | 1018 world currencies |
| Update Frequency (Free Plan) | Hourly updates | 24-hour updates |
| Fastest Update Frequency | 60 seconds (highest plan) | 60 seconds (Professional plan) |
| Historical Exchange Rates | ✔️ Available | ✔️ Available |
| Change Base Currency | ❌ Paid plans only | ✔️ Paid plans |
| SSL Encryption | ✔️ Available | ✔️ Available on all plans |
| Data Formats | JSON | JSON, XML |
| Time Series Data | ✔️ Paid plans | ✔️ Available |
| Fluctuation Endpoint | ✔️ Paid plans | ✔️ Available |
| IP to Currency Endpoint | ❌ Not available | ✔️ Available |
| Developer Documentation | ✔️ Available | ✔️ Extensive documentation |
| Support | No support on free plan | Limited support on free plan |
CurrencyFreaks API
CurrencyFreaks is a currency exchange rate API designed for developers who need reliable foreign exchange data. It provides both real-time and historical exchange rates for global currencies and supports multiple data formats including JSON and XML.
The API supports 1000+ currencies worldwide and offers useful endpoints such as time-series data, fluctuation data, and IP-to-currency detection. These features make it suitable for applications that require currency conversion, financial analytics, or international pricing.
CurrencyFreaks is compatible with most programming languages and provides clear documentation, making integration simple for developers building fintech, e-commerce, or travel applications.
Fixer API
Fixer API is a popular exchange rate API that provides foreign exchange data for over 170 global currencies. The API sources its data primarily from financial institutions and organizations such as the European Central Bank.
Fixer offers endpoints for latest exchange rates, historical data, time-series data, and currency fluctuation tracking. However, the free plan is limited to 100 API requests per month and supports EUR as the base currency only, which may restrict some development use cases.
Paid plans remove several of these limitations and provide access to higher request limits, faster update intervals, and additional features for production applications.
Conclusion
CurrencyFreaks supports 1000+ global currencies and includes features such as IP-based currency detection and flexible data formats.
Fixer API, on the other hand, supports 170+ currencies and provides exchange rate data sourced from major financial institutions. While both APIs offer real-time and historical exchange data, their pricing structure, request limits, and free plan capabilities differ.
FAQs
How Many Free API Calls Does Fixer Offer?
Fixer’s free plan provides 100 API requests per month. The base currency is restricted to EUR, and SSL encryption is not included on the free plan. Developers needing other base currencies or secure connections must upgrade to a paid plan.
What Does Fixer API Cost?
Paid plans for Fixer start at $13.99 per month for the Basic plan. Higher-tier plans increase request limits, include SSL, and allow all base currencies. Annual billing is available with discounts.
Can I Change The Base Currency On Fixer’s Free Plan?
No, the free plan only supports EUR as the base currency. Paid plans allow you to select any base currency, making it more flexible for development and production use.
What Is The Best Free Alternative To Fixer API?
CurrencyFreaks offers 1,000 free API calls per month, supports USD and other base currencies, and includes SSL on all plans. It’s ideal for developers testing applications or building early-stage projects.
Does Fixer Provide Historical Exchange Rates?
Yes, Fixer provides historical exchange rate data, but access may be limited on lower-tier plans.
Is Fixer Reliable For Real-Time Exchange Rates?
Yes, Fixer sources data from trusted financial institutions, including the European Central Bank, and updates rates every 60 seconds on paid plans.
