How to use Data-Vendor TCO Calculator
Given an instrument universe, bar resolution, and history depth, it computes annual cost across Databento, Polygon, Alpaca, Tiingo, FMP, and Alpha Vantage so you can pick the vendor whose pricing model fits your workload.
What It Does
Use the calculator with intent
Given an instrument universe, bar resolution, and history depth, it computes annual cost across Databento, Polygon, Alpaca, Tiingo, FMP, and Alpha Vantage so you can pick the vendor whose pricing model fits your workload.
Engineers and PMs sizing a data subscription before signing the contract — especially when one vendor's flat-rate looks cheaper until usage breaks the cap.
Interpreting Results
Headline number is the annual subscription cost at your declared usage. Watch the per-symbol marginal column — flat-rate vendors are cheap until you exceed the included symbol cap, after which marginal cost is what dominates.
Input Steps
Field by field
- 1
Enter inputs
Enter your universe size (number of symbols), bar resolution (tick / 1m / daily), history depth (years), and whether you need real-time updates.
- 2
The
The tool computes per-vendor cost: tier-priced vendors (Polygon, Alpaca, Tiingo, FMP, Alpha Vantage) auto-select cheapest qualifying tier; Databento computes from per-symbol-per-day metering.
- 3
Read outputs
Read the rank-ordered comparison. Lowest cost isn't always the right answer — check coverage gaps in the methodology table.
- 4
Re-run
Re-run with different universe sizes to find the breakpoint where vendors switch positions. Polygon and Databento often switch ranks at ~50-200 symbols.
- 5
Check assumptions
Check the asOfDate. Pricing tables refresh monthly — for current invoice cost, verify against the vendor's pricing page directly.
Common Scenarios
Use realistic starting points
US equities, daily bars, full coverage
Universe size
8000
Resolution
1-day
History depth
10 years
Tiingo + Alpaca cluster near $0–$100/yr; Polygon + Databento higher but with intraday access included.
Options + futures intraday
Universe size
3000
Resolution
1-minute
History depth
3 years
Databento wins on per-event pricing for niche symbols; Polygon flat-rate competitive for full coverage. Alpaca + Tiingo drop out (no options).
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FAQ
Questions people ask next
The short answers readers usually want after the first pass.
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