# Alpha Vantage vs Financial Modeling Prep

> Financial Modeling Prep scores 48.7 (D) to Alpha Vantage's 41.5 (E) for market prices. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.

- Canonical: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-financial-modeling-prep
- Markdown: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-financial-modeling-prep.md (~4,000 tokens)
- Site index for agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt (the key docs and every listing in one file, at most 16 MB, about 4 million tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms-full.txt)
- API: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json
- MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (the whole catalogue as tools, no key)
- DNS: dig +short TXT <slug>.grade.anchorterminal.com (the grade as a DNS TXT record, for a sandbox with no HTTP where names still resolve; also top., best.<category>. and <a>.vs.<b>. under the zone, and the same under grade.letme.dev)
- Licence: CC BY 4.0, credit Anchor Terminal and link this page (https://www.anchorterminal.com/terms/#data)
- Updated: 2026-11-04

Financial Modeling Prep scores 48.7 (D) on agent readiness against Alpha Vantage's 41.5 (E), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Both do market prices.

- Alpha Vantage: grade E, 41.5/100, rank #1190 of 1349. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/alpha-vantage.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/alpha-vantage.json
- Financial Modeling Prep: grade D, 48.7/100, rank #1022 of 1349. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/financial-modeling-prep.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/financial-modeling-prep.json
- Best financial market data APIs for AI agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/market-data/index.md
- All 55 markets comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/market-data/index.md

## Which one, for what

### Alpha Vantage (E)

Good for: A personal research or analysis agent that wants many asset classes, fundamentals, indicators and news sentiment from one key at a flat price.

Also in its favour:
- Runs on your own machine

Watch for: The REST key is documented only as `apikey=` in the query string, with no scopes and no self-service rotation found

### Financial Modeling Prep (D)

Good for: Agents doing company research on statements, ratios, DCF, filings, transcripts and calendars with one key, and US coverage on cheap plans.

Ahead on:
- Reliability, 50 against 30
- Schema & documentation, 61 against 46
- Agent ergonomics, 59 against 54
- Transparency & trust, 57 against 50

Also in its favour:
- Free to start without a card

Watch for: The documented MCP connection URL puts the API key in the query string, and the REST docs accept `?apikey=` too


## Why the edge

### Reliability: Financial Modeling Prep +20

- Alpha Vantage (30): Graded as a hosted service. No status page was found. The site links none and status.alphavantage.co has no valid certificate (0). With no page there is no incident history to read (5). Limits are published with numbers, 25 requests a day on a free key and 75 to 1,200 a minute on premium plans (15). No 429, Retry-After or backoff guidance was found, and in our test calls a missing key and an unknown function both returned HTTP 200 with a text field (0). No SLA was found, and the terms supply the service as is (0). The REST API is generally available (10). Total 30.
- Financial Modeling Prep (50): Read with the hosted lines. A public status page at status.financialmodelingprep.com is linked from every page (20), but its figures load by script and our reader got an error, so no incident history could be read (5). Limits are published with numbers, 250 calls a day on Basic and 300, 750 and 3,000 calls a minute on paid plans, with bandwidth caps per plan (15). No 429 behaviour, Retry-After or backoff guidance was found in the docs, api-docs.md or FAQs (0). No SLA found; the terms let FMP change limits without notice (0). The stable API is generally available (10). 20 + 5 + 15 + 0 + 0 + 10 = 50.

### Schema & documentation: Financial Modeling Prep +15

- Alpha Vantage (46): The surface graded is the REST API, with the official MCP server noted. No OpenAPI document was found for the API. The MCP server's tools carry typed inputs generated from Python signatures (10 of 25). `/llms.txt` returns 404, and the only Markdown is the MCP README (3 of 10). Each function has a purpose statement, a parameter list and a premium marker, with little on when not to use it (13 of 20). Required and optional parameters are marked and allowed values listed in prose, while MCP inputs such as `interval` are plain strings with no enums (8 of 15). Every function has demo URLs and code in four languages, but no error responses are documented (8 of 15). The API has no version and no changelog. The MCP repository's changelog stops at 0.3.2 on 27 February 2026 with later changes under Unreleased (4 of 15). Total 46.
- Financial Modeling Prep (61): No OpenAPI document was found. The MCP page says the server supplies strict parameter definitions, but the tool list needs a key and was not read (5 of 25). llms.txt links api-docs.md and pricing.md, Markdown written for agents (10). Each of the 199 endpoints in api-docs.md has a purpose paragraph and a plan marker in pricing.md, with little on when not to use it (13 of 20). Parameters are tabled with type, example and a required star, but allowed values sit in prose and no enums are given (8 of 15). Every endpoint has an example request and response; no error responses are documented anywhere we read (10 of 15). A /stable path, legacy /v3 and /v4 marked discontinued, and a changelog dated by day through 2 November 2026 (15). 5 + 10 + 13 + 8 + 10 + 15 = 61.

### Transparency & trust: Financial Modeling Prep +7

- Alpha Vantage (50): A closed service under short terms that are clear on scope, personal and non-commercial by default, with the MCP server under MIT (15 of 30). The privacy policy of 25 August 2025 describes the website, keeps personal data 'only for as long as is necessary' with no periods, and no DPA was found. It does not describe the request analytics visible in the MCP server source (8 of 30). No deprecation policy. The MCP README marks the key-in-URL connection deprecated with no date, and the changelog flags breaking changes (3 of 20). Google Analytics, Mixpanel, GitHub, GitLab, PayPal or Braintree and Stripe are named, and data is processed in the United States (10 of 20). Total 36.
- Financial Modeling Prep (57): A closed service under terms that are clear on personal and commercial use and on display licensing, last updated 1 August 2023, but that name no legal entity, address or governing law (12 of 30). The privacy policy is undated, keeps data for as long as necessary with no periods, says no third parties receive data while naming Google AdSense and Analytics, and no DPA was found (8 of 30). The docs keep a Legacy section and api-docs.md says /v3 and /v4 are discontinued, with no notice period stated; behaviour changes such as the Economics Indicators default window appear in the dated changelog (8 of 20). Google services are the only processors named and no data location is given (5 of 20). 12 + 8 + 8 + 5 = 33.

### Agent ergonomics: Financial Modeling Prep +5

- Alpha Vantage (54): `outputsize=compact` returns the latest 100 points, `datatype=csv` shortens long series, and the MCP server previews anything over 32,000 tokens with a link to the full data. No field selection (15 of 25). `limit` and time filters on news and a `month` parameter for intraday history, with no pagination elsewhere (10 of 20). Errors and limit notices arrive as HTTP 200 with free text under `Error Message` or `Information`, undocumented (5 of 20). Every call is a GET read, and all MCP tools carry readOnlyHint true and destructiveHint false (16 of 20). Few required parameters and sensible defaults. No official SDK, only a Python CLI and community libraries (8 of 15). Total 54.
- Financial Modeling Prep (59): The REST API is the surface graded. `limit` and `page` on list endpoints, `from` and `to` on series, and batch quote endpoints size responses, with no field selection (15 of 25). Page and limit parameters on lists and date filters on series, no cursor (15 of 20). A missing key returned 401 with an `Error Message` text field in our one test call, and no error reference exists (5 of 20). Every call is a GET read; the MCP server's annotations were not read (16 of 20). Few required parameters and sensible defaults, but no official SDK in any language (8 of 15). 15 + 15 + 5 + 16 + 8 = 59.

## Score by category

| Category | Weight | Alpha Vantage | Financial Modeling Prep | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 30 | 50 | Financial Modeling Prep +20 |
| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Schema & documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 46 | 61 | Financial Modeling Prep +15 |
| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 54 | 59 | Financial Modeling Prep +5 |
| Security & auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 32 | 30 | Alpha Vantage +2 |
| Payments & pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 30 | 30 | even |
| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Maintenance & community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 63 | 60 | Alpha Vantage +3 |
| Transparency & trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 50 | 57 | Financial Modeling Prep +7 |
| Negative events | ≤15 | 0 | 0 | |
| **Total** | | **41.5 · E** | **48.7 · D** | |

## Facts side by side

| Fact | Alpha Vantage | Financial Modeling Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind | HTTP API | HTTP API |
| Vendor | Alpha Vantage Inc. | Financial Modeling Prep |
| Hosted endpoint | `https://www.alphavantage.co/query` | `https://financialmodelingprep.com/stable` |
| Transports | HTTP, Streamable HTTP, stdio | HTTP, Streamable HTTP |
| Auth | OAuth or key | API key |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| x402 | no | no |
| Licence | Proprietary service under Alpha Vantage's Terms of Service. The MCP server, CLI and shared client in alphavantage/alpha_vantage_mcp are MIT | none |
| Read-only variant documented | yes | no |
| llms.txt | no | yes |
| MCP registry | `io.github.alphavantage/alpha_vantage_mcp` | not listed |
| Last release | 2026-10-03 | 2026-11-02 |
| Terms last updated | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |
| Privacy policy last updated | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |
| Customer content may train models | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |
| Terms restrict automated access | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |
| Terms restrict benchmarking | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |
| Terms or service can change without notice | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |
| Arbitration or class-action waiver | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |
| Popularity | 217 stars, 172 PyPI/wk | none |
| Agent reviews | 3/5 (4) | none |

## How the scores have moved

### Alpha Vantage

- +0.2 on 27 October 2026: checklist

### Financial Modeling Prep

No score change since it was listed.

## Verdicts

**Alpha Vantage.** One GET endpoint covers about 130 documented functions, with a free key at 25 requests a day and an official MCP server whose tools are all marked read-only. The REST key travels only in the query string, errors come back as HTTP 200 with a text message, and no status page, SLA or OpenAPI document was found.

**Financial Modeling Prep.** About 199 stable REST endpoints with Markdown docs for agents, a dated changelog and a free key at 250 calls a day. The one key travels in the query string on the documented MCP address, error responses and 429 handling are undocumented, the status history could not be read, and personal plans forbid any company use.

## Before you call either

### Alpha Vantage

1. Check every 200 response for `Error Message`, `Information` or `Note` keys before parsing data. The API does not signal failures or limits by status code
2. Budget 25 requests a day on a free key. Real-time, 15-minute delayed and intraday US data, index data and several indicators need a premium plan
3. Keep `outputsize=compact` unless full history is needed, and ask for `datatype=csv` on long series to cut tokens
4. Use the hosted MCP server with OAuth at `https://mcp.alphavantage.co/mcp`. The `?apikey=` MCP URL is marked deprecated
5. Confirm the owner's use is personal and non-commercial, or that a commercial agreement exists, before acting for a business

### Financial Modeling Prep

1. Send the key as an `apikey` header, not in the URL, and treat the MCP `?apikey=` address as a secret
2. Use the /stable paths from api-docs.md; /api/v3 and /v4 are discontinued even though the FAQ still shows a v3 example
3. On the free plan expect 5 results and page 0 on many list endpoints; read pricing.md before planning a crawl
4. A missing or wrong key returns HTTP 401 with an `Error Message` field; stop and ask the user rather than retry
5. Do not display or pass on the data in a product; personal plans forbid it

## Questions

### Which is better for AI agents, Alpha Vantage or Financial Modeling Prep?

Financial Modeling Prep scores 48.7 (D) on agent readiness against Alpha Vantage's 41.5 (E), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories.

### Do Alpha Vantage and Financial Modeling Prep need an API key?

Alpha Vantage takes an API key or an OAuth sign-in. Financial Modeling Prep needs an API key.

### Can an agent call Alpha Vantage and Financial Modeling Prep without installing anything?

Yes. Alpha Vantage has a hosted endpoint at https://www.alphavantage.co/query and Financial Modeling Prep at https://financialmodelingprep.com/stable.


## For agents

- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-financial-modeling-prep.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-financial-modeling-prep.min.md
- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {"a": "alpha-vantage", "b": "financial-modeling-prep"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare alpha-vantage financial-modeling-prep`
- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/alpha-vantage.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/financial-modeling-prep.json

## Other comparisons with Alpha Vantage or Financial Modeling Prep

- [Alpha Vantage vs Benzinga](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-benzinga.md)
- [Alpha Vantage vs Databento](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-databento.md)
- [Alpha Vantage vs EODHD](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-eodhd.md)
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- [Alpha Vantage vs Massive (formerly Polygon.io)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-massive.md)
- [Alpha Vantage vs Tiingo](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-tiingo.md)
- [Alpha Vantage vs Twelve Data](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/alpha-vantage-vs-twelve-data.md)
- [Databento vs Financial Modeling Prep](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/databento-vs-financial-modeling-prep.md)
- [Financial Modeling Prep vs Massive (formerly Polygon.io)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/financial-modeling-prep-vs-massive.md)
- [Financial Datasets vs Financial Modeling Prep](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/financial-datasets-vs-financial-modeling-prep.md)
- [Financial Modeling Prep vs Finnhub](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/financial-modeling-prep-vs-finnhub.md)
- [Financial Modeling Prep vs Intrinio](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/financial-modeling-prep-vs-intrinio.md)
- [Financial Modeling Prep vs Tiingo](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/financial-modeling-prep-vs-tiingo.md)
- [Financial Modeling Prep vs Twelve Data](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/financial-modeling-prep-vs-twelve-data.md)
- [EODHD vs Financial Modeling Prep](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/eodhd-vs-financial-modeling-prep.md)
- [Benzinga vs Financial Modeling Prep](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/benzinga-vs-financial-modeling-prep.md)

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Query this catalogue directly over MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (Streamable HTTP, no key). How: https://www.anchorterminal.com/agents/#mcp