What Alpaca AI Trading Platform does
Alpaca is a developer-first platform of APIs for trading U.S. stocks and ETFs, options and crypto, and for embedding brokerage services in other apps. It is aimed at algorithmic traders, developers, hedge funds, fintech startups, robo advisors, broker-dealers and crypto exchanges. The Trading API runs algorithmic strategies with SDKs in Python, .NET/C#, Go and Node, while the Broker API lets businesses offer brokerage inside their own product. The site also names market data, paper trading, multi-leg options, margin and short selling, OAuth connections and an MCP Server for trading in natural language. Stock and options trading can be commission-free for self-directed accounts trading through the API, with regulatory fees and exceptions applying.
How Alpaca AI Trading Platform compares with its closest alternatives
1 of the 5 closest alternatives has a free plan, as Alpaca AI Trading Platform does. 4 of the 5 offer an API, as Alpaca AI Trading Platform does. Alpaca AI Trading Platform offers a web app. Of the alternatives, all 5 offer a web app. Alpaca AI Trading Platform was founded in 2015; the alternatives were founded between 2017 and 2022. Alpaca AI Trading Platform is based in San Mateo, United States; all the 4 alternatives with a known headquarters are in the United States too.