Why Developers Switch from Fixer
Fixer.io has been a popular choice since 2015, but its free tier is increasingly restrictive. The free plan limits you to 100 requests per month, forces EUR-only as a base currency, and does not include HTTPS encryption. Exchange Rate API removes all of these limitations while offering faster updates and official SDKs.
Free HTTPS
HTTPS included on all plans. Fixer charges for it.
Any Base Currency
Use any of 160+ currencies as base. Fixer free = EUR only.
60s Updates
Rates refresh every 60 seconds. Fixer updates hourly.
Official SDKs
JS, Python, PHP, React SDKs included. Fixer has none.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Exchange Rate API | Fixer.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 300 requests/month | 100 requests/month |
| HTTPS on Free Plan | Yes, included | No (HTTP only) |
| Base Currency (Free) | Any of 160+ currencies | EUR only |
| Update Frequency | Every 60 seconds | Every 60 minutes |
| Currencies Supported | 160+ | 170+ |
| Official SDKs | JS, Python, PHP, React | None |
| CORS Support | Yes, all plans | Paid plans only |
| Historical Data | Yes | Yes |
| Paid Plans Start At | $4.99/month | $14.99/month |
| Credit Card Required | No | No |
| Data Source | Reuters/Refinitiv interbank | European Central Bank + others |
| Authentication | Bearer token | Query parameter |
The Verdict
Fixer.io is a solid API that has served developers well for years. However, its free tier restrictions make it difficult for projects that need HTTPS, flexible base currencies, or frequent rate updates without upgrading to a paid plan. Exchange Rate API provides all of these features for free, with more generous request limits and official SDK support across four languages.
If you are currently using Fixer and running into limitations, switching to Exchange Rate API takes less than five minutes. Just swap your endpoint and authentication header.
Ready to switch from Fixer?
Get your free API key in seconds. No credit card required. Start with 300 requests per month.
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