Cheapest Real-Time Options Data APIs (2026)
Vendors covering options, sorted by lowest listed paid plan. Check the real-time column: the cheapest plan is often delayed.
Comparison
| Asset classes | Real-time | WebSocket | Rate limits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBKR API (Interactive Brokers)Broker | unknown | $1.5 | unknown | stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, funds, prediction-markets | real-time with subscriptions | unknown | unknown |
| TradierBroker | Free tier | $10 | unknown | stocks, options, futures | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Massive (formerly Polygon)Market data | Free tier | $29 | 20+ | us-stocks, options, indices, forex, futures | real-time on Stocks Advanced; 15-min delayed on Starter/Developer | yes (Starter and up) | Free: 5 calls/min; paid: unlimited |
| ThetaDataMarket data | unknown | $40 | 14+ | options, stocks, indices, interest-rates | real-time | streaming (Pro) | Concurrent-request limits: 2/4/8 |
| Alpha VantageMarket data | Free tier | $49.99 | 25+ | stocks, etfs, mutual-funds, options, forex, crypto, commodities, economic | Real-time and 15-min delayed US data on premium (entitlement required) | unknown | Free 25/day; premium 75-1200/min, no daily limits |
| AlpacaBroker + data | Free tier | $99 | 7+ | us-stocks, options, crypto | Free: IEX real-time websocket; Plus: all US exchanges | yes | Free: 200 calls/min; Algo Trader Plus: unlimited |
| IntrinioMarket data | unknown | $150 | 50+ | us-stocks, options, fundamentals, etfs | Real-time (EquitiesEdge/OptionsEdge) and 15-min delayed | yes (WebSocket on some feeds) | unknown |
| DatabentoMarket data | Free tier | Pay-as-you-go ($/GB); $125 free credits | 16+ | futures, options, us-stocks | live data on subscription plans | Raw TCP + client libraries (live streaming) | Unlimited downloads, streaming and API calls on subscriptions |
— means not stated on official pages. Not investment advice.
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