Alpaca review
A US-focused trading API with paper accounts, advanced orders, and streaming market data.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Alpaca is an API-centered brokerage and trading platform for individuals, developers, and businesses building algorithmic strategies or adding brokerage functions to their products. Its Trading API supports live order placement and account access, while paper trading provides a simulated environment. The platform covers US-listed stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies, with crypto available through Alpaca Exchange. A separate Broker API is aimed at businesses integrating trading and brokerage capabilities.
Pricing is structured around market-data subscriptions for Trading API accounts. The Basic market data plan costs $0 per month, while Algo Trader Plus costs $99 per month, billed monthly. The published $99 amount applies to the market-data subscription rather than a recurring fee for the core brokerage platform; trading fees or regulatory charges may apply. Both plans are presented as market-data subscriptions, and the platform offers historical data plus streaming feeds. For strategy development, paper trading, fractional-share trading, and market, limit, stop, stop-limit, trailing-stop, bracket, and OCO orders provide a broad order toolkit.
Alpaca fits teams that want cloud-based API access across multiple US asset classes and need both simulated and live trading paths. TradingView integration supports a connection with that platform, while web and API access cover different workflows. Compliance information includes SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. Product and account availability vary by jurisdiction, so organizations operating across regions should confirm eligibility before choosing it. Buyers seeking extensive support beyond community channels and documentation may prefer a provider with broader service options; Alpaca is strongest for developers and businesses comfortable working directly with APIs and published documentation.
Alpaca pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto through one Trading API
- Paper trading plus bracket, OCO, and trailing-stop orders
- Historical and streaming market data with a free Basic tier
- Where it doesn't
- The $99/month Algo Trader Plus tier is a separate market-data subscription
- Trading availability and account features vary by jurisdiction
- Support channels are limited to community resources and documentation
Alpaca fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update