Subscription model
OptionData: symbols=AAPL,SPY covers all strikes/expiries on those underlyings. Alpaca options streams are typically keyed by OCC contract symbols.
Comparison
OptionData vs Alpaca — Real-Time Options Trades
Alpaca is a broker first; its options stream is a data add-on next to execution. OptionData is options-flow-first — underlying subscribe, server-side filters, and optional AGGREGATED block/sweep-ready events.
Who this is for: choose OptionData when the job is flow analytics and fast time-to-alert (~10M trades/day, 30+ enriched fields). Choose Alpaca when you already execute there and want one vendor for orders plus raw market data.
How the two stacks differ in practice
Focus on subscription grain, where filtering happens, aggregation, and when each vendor wins.
Filtering location
OptionData trims premium, side, size, expiry, and delta server-side. Broker raw feeds often push ticks first; you filter after the wire.
Aggregation
OptionData AGGREGATED mode collapses same-contract, same-instant prints for block/sweep visibility. Alpaca emits one message per exchange print.
Stack breadth
OptionData pairs the tape with option-chain REST and ClickHouse SQL under one key. Alpaca wins when execution + multi-product brokerage tooling matter more than flow depth.
Decision checklist
- Need options-flow alerts without building aggregation? → OptionData
- Already trading and funding through Alpaca? → Alpaca can be simpler ops
- Want Greeks/premium on the stream for scanners? → OptionData enriched prints
- Need stock + options + broker APIs in one account? → Alpaca ecosystem
- Need historical SQL on 2.8B+ option trades? → OptionData warehouse
- Deep dive: read the full blog comparison for tables and diagrams
Example: OptionData flow-first connection
// OptionData: subscribe by underlying + server-side flow filters
const ws = new WebSocket(
'wss://ws.optiondata.io?token=KEY&symbols=AAPL,SPY&min_premium=100000&aggregation_mode=AGGREGATED'
);
// Alpaca-style broker feeds often require OCC contract symbols and
// client-side aggregation of split prints before flow alerts fire.Keep researching
Hub page for decision-stage buyers; long-form detail lives in the blog.
OptionData vs Alpaca FAQ
Is OptionData a broker like Alpaca?
No. OptionData is an options market-data API (WebSocket flow, historical SQL, option chains). It does not route equity or options orders.
When should I pick Alpaca over OptionData?
When you need brokerage execution and market data from one vendor and are willing to build options-flow aggregation and enrichment yourself.
Does OptionData include Greeks on real-time trades?
Yes — qualifying prints can include Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega, Rho, implied volatility, premium, and sentiment among 30+ fields.
Where is the detailed side-by-side?
See the long-form OptionData vs Alpaca blog post for subscription diagrams, payload notes, and production effort comparisons.