currency conversion for development

April 12, 2005 6:07 AM

I need a web service or data feed for real time currency conversion (where real time can be anywhere from 15 minutes to a day). Google turns up a plethora of options, but I'd like to hear from people who have actual (or even anecdotal) experience, because a Google Ad and a nice web site do not a reliable service make.
posted by alana to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

If you describe what you need more specifically, you will probably get better answers.
posted by grouse at 6:22 AM on April 12, 2005

Try the website of your own bank - will usually be updated at least once every 24 hrs (often more)
posted by crocos at 6:23 AM on April 12, 2005

I've seen Xe.com's data feed used. It worked, no complaints. This was for a professional site with a few thousand users.
posted by falconred at 6:29 AM on April 12, 2005

I've used Oanda a lot, the convertor linked here is updated daily as far as i know, but if you click about there are other real time data feeds available. The home page has real time currency rates.
posted by kev23f at 6:38 AM on April 12, 2005

Though I have no direct experience, Xe.com is the grandaddy of Internet currency conversion sites (1995!) and I've only heard good things about their for-pay services.
posted by zsazsa at 6:49 AM on April 12, 2005