A stock API can make all the difference in finding these patterns.

In the previous decades, access to data has been through Bloomberg, FactSet, Thompson Reuters, CapIQ, and the likes for hefty fees. Two of the flagship products being the Bloomberg terminal and the Reuters Eikon, which can each cost between $20,000 — $24,000 per year per seat, not including setup or live fees.

Each has its advantages, but luckily, not necessary or often even advantageous to enter the space anymore, a simple stock API can be the answer you need. There is no need to drop money on a few gigs of data and a big piece of hardware that after additional fees could nearly buy you a new Tesla Model 3. Especially if you just need the raw data to gather your insights and run your testing.

I hope you’re not still shorting Tesla by the way. Images from electrek and wikipedia

The data providing space has exploded in the last decade, with quality, low-cost solutions for those who want either to tinker in the space as a hobbyist or serious professional investor. As someone who both worked for a hedge fund, run my own hobby algorithmic trading, and worked for a data provider, data is my life. I’ve bought nearly all the subscriptions and tested below providers for various use cases. If you’re not an engineer, that’s fine too, some of these have excel, google sheets, or other ways to get their data to make your life easier. Each of these stock API providers has a commercial option that’s either self-serve or by contacting their support page.

Here’s the lineup for best overall stock market APIs:

1. Alpha Vantage
2. Xignite
3. Polygon.io
4. Intrinio
5. IEX Cloud
6. Tradier (and other brokerages)

Best free stock market APIs:

1. Alpha Vantage
2. IEX Cloud
3. Tradier (and other brokerages)

At the bottom are honorable mentions, special notes, and here’s a link to a current Reddit thread, with additional insights.

#api #stock api #investing #fintech