Currencylayer
Foreign exchange software
Financial data APIs
Accounting & finance software
Financial services software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$9.99 per month
Free Trial unavailable
Free version
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- Transportation and logistics
- Retail and wholesale
- Manufacturing
What is Currencylayer
Currencylayer is a foreign exchange rates API used to retrieve real-time and historical currency exchange data for applications and financial workflows. It targets developers and teams that need programmatic FX rates for pricing, billing, reporting, or multi-currency analytics. The service is delivered as a REST API with JSON responses and typically integrates into web, mobile, and back-office systems. It is positioned as a lightweight data API rather than a full cross-border payments or treasury execution platform.
Simple REST API integration
Currencylayer provides a straightforward HTTP/JSON interface that fits common developer workflows. This makes it practical for embedding FX conversion into applications without deploying market data infrastructure. Documentation and endpoint patterns are oriented toward quick implementation for common rate lookup and conversion use cases. For teams comparing multiple FX data APIs, ease of integration is a primary differentiator.
Real-time and historical rates
The product supports both current exchange rates and historical time series, enabling backtesting, reporting, and audit-friendly recalculation. This helps finance and analytics teams reproduce prior-period conversions when needed. It also supports multi-currency applications that require consistent valuation logic over time. Compared with tools focused mainly on conversion widgets, the API orientation supports broader automation.
Developer-focused usage model
Currencylayer is designed to be consumed programmatically, which aligns with SaaS products, marketplaces, and internal finance automation. API keys and plan-based usage are typical for controlling access and scaling consumption. This model can reduce operational overhead versus maintaining direct bank feeds or manual rate updates. It also fits environments where FX rates are one dependency among many services.
Data-only, no execution
Currencylayer provides exchange-rate data but does not execute FX trades or cross-border payments. Organizations needing end-to-end workflows (rate + conversion + settlement + compliance) must integrate additional providers. This can increase vendor management and reconciliation work. It is therefore less suitable as a standalone solution for treasury operations.
Coverage and methodology transparency
As with many FX data APIs, buyers may need to validate currency coverage, update frequency, and rate source methodology against internal requirements. Some use cases require documented benchmarks, contributor sources, or auditable calculation methods. If the API’s sourcing or refresh cadence does not match policy, teams may need a different data feed. This is especially relevant for regulated reporting or valuation controls.
Limited finance application features
Currencylayer is not an accounting system and does not provide native features such as multi-entity consolidation, invoicing, or ERP connectors. Implementing accounting-grade workflows typically requires custom integration and additional systems. Teams looking for packaged finance functionality may find the API too low-level. Ongoing maintenance becomes the customer’s responsibility as schemas and requirements evolve.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0.00 per month | 100 API calls/month; Daily updates; Historical rates; HTTPS encryption; No support. (Free plan intended as an unlimited-duration trial.) |
| Starter | $9.99 per month (or $8.99/mo billed annually — $107.99/yr) | 2,500 requests/month; overage $0.007992 per extra request; Hourly updates; Historical rates; Standard support; HTTPS; Source currency switch; Currency conversion. |
| Basic | $14.99 per month (or $13.99/mo billed annually — $161.99/yr) | 10,000 requests/month; overage $0.002998 per extra request; Hourly updates; Historical rates; Standard support; HTTPS; Currency conversion. |
| Enterprise | $59.99 per month (or $52.99/mo billed annually — $629.99/yr) | 100,000 requests/month; overage $0.0011998 per extra request; 10-minute updates; Historical rates; Standard support; Time-frame queries; Currency-change queries. |
| Enterprise+ | $99.99 per month (or $84.99/mo billed annually — $1,019.99/yr) | 500,000 requests/month; overage $0.00039996 per extra request; 60-second updates; All features; Historical rates; Time-frame and currency-change queries; Currency-change metrics. |
Notes:
- Annual billing offers savings (up to ~15%).
- Platinum Support is offered as an optional add-on with separate annual fees (see FAQ for per-plan Platinum Support annual charges).
Seller details
apilayer GmbH
Vienna, Austria
Private
https://mailboxlayer.com/
https://x.com/apilayer
https://www.linkedin.com/company/apilayer/
