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Alpha Vantage API vs Polygon API

Two free Finance APIs compared on access, reliability and developer ratings, using data from our daily health checks.

The verdict

  • Choose Alpha Vantage API if you want faster responses.
  • Choose Polygon API for its data: Stock API with real-time and historical tick data, unlimited usage via REST or WebSockets, standardized JSON and CSV formats.

Side by side

Alpha Vantage APIPolygon API
What it doesRealtime and historical stock data.Stock API with real-time and historical tick data, unlimited usage via REST or WebSockets, standardized JSON and CSV formats.
ProviderAlpha VantageMassive
API keyRequiredRequired
HTTPSYesYes
CORS (browser calls)UnknownUnknown
Status todayOnline · 793 msOnline · 2100 ms
Uptime (30 days)UpUp
Developer ratingNot rated yetNot rated yet
PriceFree / free tierFree / free tier
Alpha Vantage docs ↗Polygon docs ↗

About each API

Alpha Vantage logoAlpha Vantage API

Realtime and historical stock data.

Alpha Vantage offers free stock APIs in JSON and CSV formats for realtime and historical stock market data, options, forex, commodity, cryptocurrency feeds and over 50 technical indicators. Global market news API and sentiment scores powered by AI and machine learning. Supports intraday, daily, wee…

Strengths

  • HTTPS

Ratings, reviews and FAQ →

Polygon logoPolygon API

Stock API with real-time and historical tick data, unlimited usage via REST or WebSockets, standardized JSON and CSV formats.

Stock API with real-time and historical tick data, unlimited usage via REST or WebSockets, standardized JSON and CSV formats. Instant access free tier.

Strengths

  • HTTPS

Ratings, reviews and FAQ →

How to choose between them

  • Prototyping or a tutorial? Pick the one that needs no API key (neither does, so compare their free tiers).
  • Calling from a web page? You need CORS. Otherwise route requests through your own server or a serverless function.
  • Going to production? Favour HTTPS, a strong uptime record and a provider with clear rate limits and terms. Check each API's docs before you commit.
  • Still unsure? Both are free to try: send one request to each and compare the data you get back.

Alpha Vantage vs Polygon FAQ

Do Alpha Vantage API and Polygon API need an API key?

Both require authentication (apiKey and apiKey).

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