BlueGamma vs free rates websites and spreadsheets
Free sites are fine for a quick look at today’s swap rates. A model, a valuation or an audit needs forward curves, more currencies, history, and a timestamp you can show someone.
Use free data for a quick check. Once a number goes into a model someone relies on, you need to say where it came from and when, pull it again later, and know it will still be there next month. That is the job BlueGamma does.
The rate the market expects for each 3-month period to 2047. Many free sites show one number per tenor, for today only.
- 100+financial institutions
- 60k+forward curves downloaded
- $100bn+of swaps priced and valued
At a glance
| Criterion | BlueGamma | Free websites and spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|
| Forward curves | Full forward curves, discount factors and zero rates | Usually today’s swap rates only |
| Currencies | 30+ currencies | Often one or a few |
| Freshness | Most benchmarks refresh about every 30 seconds in market hours | Often end of day |
| History | Any date back to June 2018 for swap rates | Little or none |
| Audit trail | Every curve timestamped and repeatable | A screenshot or a pasted number |
| Terms of use | Licensed for use in your models and systems | Check each site; terms may not allow use in models |
| Into Excel | Excel add-in functions, downloads or API | Copied by hand, or a scraper that breaks when the page changes |
| Price | From $349 a month | Free |
When free data is enough
- a quick look at where swap rates are today
- a rough number for a budget or a first conversation
- learning how curves move
Our own swap rates and forward curve pages are free to read too. The trial adds the Excel add-in, history, pricing tools and the API.
What an auditor will ask
Where did the rate come from, at what time, and can you produce it again? A timestamped curve you can pull for any past date answers all three. A rate copied from a website answers none of them.
Put a real curve in your model
Pull a forward curve into Excel in a couple of minutes.
FAQs
Check that site’s terms of use first. Some are written for personal reference, and a model shared with lenders or investors may need data you are licensed to use.
A floating-rate loan pays a different rate each period. A forward curve gives the market’s expected rate for each one, which is what a model needs to project interest costs.
Yes, to read. The 14-day trial adds the Excel add-in, history, swap pricing and the API, with no card needed.
Every curve is built from live market quotes, timestamped, and within 1bp of bank mids. The methodology page shows how, and we’re happy to reconcile against your own numbers in a trial.
Not investment or procurement advice.