Where to find and download forex data

Learn where to find free and paid forex data downloads to improve backtesting and trading strategies.

Have you ever tried to trade without good data? It’s kind of like driving through the fog with your headlights turned off. In forex, data equals visibility, as it helps you understand the forex market, currency pairs, and any patterns that might repeat themselves. In this guide, we’ll provide some insights into where to find and download forex data, so you can trade accurately and confidently.

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Example of live forex data for USDJPY (US dollar vs Japanese yen) in the Exness Terminal.

Understanding forex data and why you need it

Forex data essentially shows how currency pairs move over time. Prices open, rise, fall, and close all the time, every hour of every day, sometimes even every second. With this information, traders can see trends and time their trades with better precision and accuracy.

As an example, let’s take a look at the CADUSD pair. Let’s assume it closed yesterday at 1.0950 and opened today at 1.0948. That’s a movement of 2 pips, which is a small change, but over a longer period, it can add up and reveal market direction.

Note: A pip, which means “percentage in point,” is a very small unit that measures the movement of a currency pair’s price. One pip = a price change of 0.0001 (for most currency pairs).

With a forex historical data download, you can import data into an Excel spreadsheet or even Python to view how your technical analysis and strategy fares in real-world conditions.

The symbol list on the Exness Terminal, where traders can view and compare multiple currency pairs, including “Majors” (shown here), “Minors”, and “Exotics.”

Where to download forex data

There’s a wealth of historical forex data out there, and while there are premium services offering organized datasets, most data downloads are free. The easiest way to get forex data is through the Exness tick history page, but there are other options, as well:

MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 

• Both MT4 and MT5 have historical data built in, which you can find here:

1. Go to “Tools,” then “History Center” for MT4 and “View > Symbols” for MT5.
2. Pick your currency pair and time frame.
3. Click “Download.”

• You’ll see free forex data verified by brokers, which is perfect for beginners who want to test or backtest strategies using a demo account before trading with real money. 
• You can also create simple strategies or test your own trading system without any risks, which is a convenient way to learn without added pressure.

Dukascopy Bank

• Dukascopy is like the jackpot for free forex historical data download. 
• You’ll even get tick data, including bid and ask prices. 
• If you’re testing a scalping strategy or anything that’s time-sensitive, this kind of precision is a great way to sharpen your trading strategies.

TrueFX

• TrueFX allows you to collect free forex data from liquidity providers, down to the millisecond. 
• Choose from different formats, like daily or monthly files in comma-separated values (CSV) formats, which are easy to import into Excel or Python. 
• If you’re eager to check volatility before placing trades, you can download the data from TrueFX and calculate the average true range (ATR). 

Paid forex data sources

Free data sources are a great starting point for beginner traders, but at a certain point, it’s worth it to upgrade to a more consistent forex data download.

EOD Historical Data

With EOD, you can format your forex data downloads in the following ways:

• Daily
• Hourly
• Minute-to-minute 

This also includes: 

• Currencies
• Commodities
• Gold and silver
• Crypto
• Stocks

These are great for traders who like automation or statistical models, such as a regression model.

Quandl (now part of Nasdaq Data Link)

Quandl is ideal for users or developers who like to test or code trading systems. 

You can also combine their forex data with macro indicators for more detailed reviews and insights.

These include:

• Interest rates 
• Inflation data

This way, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of how and why currencies are moving, especially during global news events or economic shifts.

Tips for choosing the right forex data

As you’ve probably guessed, not all forex historical data is created equal. So, before you download forex data, be sure to remember these key tips:

• Higher-frequency (minute or tick) data is better for precise analysis.
• Only download free data files from trusted brokers or institutions.
• Ensure it’s in CSV or a similar version or format.
• Look for a continuous data feed without any missing dates or gaps.
• Make sure you verify details, data, timeframes, features, and settings to ensure more accurate backtesting.

Forex trading history in the Exness Terminal, showing how traders can review their past performance.

Trading glossary

Forex historical data

Forex historical data refers to past price information for currency pairs over a specific period of time. Traders use forex historical data downloads to analyze market behavior, backtest trading strategies, and improve decision-making in forex trading.

Tick data

Tick data is the most detailed type of forex data, showing every individual price change (tick) in the market. This type of historical forex data is commonly used for precise analysis, scalping strategies, and testing automated trading systems.

Pip

A pip, short for “percentage in point,” is the standard unit used to measure price movement in currency pairs. Understanding pips enables traders to interpret forex data, calculate profits or losses, and evaluate trading performance.

Data feed

A data feed is a continuous stream of forex data delivered by a broker or data provider to a trading platform. It allows traders to download free or paid forex data, monitor live prices, and import historical data for analysis and backtesting.

CSV (comma-separated values) format

CSV format is a common file format used for storing forex data files, where values are separated by commas. Traders often download forex data in CSV format to easily import historical data into Excel, spreadsheets, or programming tools like Python.

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Final thoughts

Access to accurate and reliable forex data is essential for building effective trading strategies and making informed decisions in the market. Whether you choose a free forex data download for learning and backtesting or invest in paid historical forex data for greater precision, the key is using consistent, high-quality data files that match your trading goals. By downloading forex data in formats like CSV and importing it into tools such as Excel, MetaTrader, or Python, traders can better analyze currency pairs, test ideas, and improve long-term performance in forex trading.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get free forex data?

You can get free forex data from trusted platforms such as Exness, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, Dukascopy, and TrueFX. These sources allow traders to download historical forex data, including minute and tick data, for backtesting and market analysis.

How to get forex market data?

Forex market data can be accessed through trading platforms, broker websites, or dedicated data providers. Traders can collect live data through a data feed or download historical data files in CSV format to analyze price movements, currency pairs, and market trends.

What is the 90% rule in forex?

The 90% rule in forex suggests that around 90% of traders lose money, often due to poor risk management, lack of testing, or emotional trading. Using high-quality forex data and backtesting trading strategies with historical data can help traders improve discipline and decision-making.

How do I download data from MetaTrader?

To download forex data from MetaTrader, open the platform and go to Tools > History Center in MT4 or View > Symbols in MT5. Select the currency pair and timeframe you need, then click Download to access historical forex data for analysis or backtesting.