---
title: "Currency Exchange Rates Updater"
description: "The Currency Updater app keeps your store's exchange rates current by fetching live rates from trusted financial data providers."
url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps/app_currencyupdater"
markdown_url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps/app_currencyupdater.md"
last_updated: "2026-10-31T23:35:38+00:00"
version: "J2Commerce 6"
breadcrumbs:
  - title: "Home"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/"
  - title: "J2Commerce 6"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6"
  - title: "Apps and Extensions"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions"
  - title: "Apps"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps"
  - title: "Currency Exchange Rates Updater"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/apps-and-extensions/apps/app_currencyupdater"
---

# Currency Exchange Rates Updater

The Currency Updater app keeps your store's exchange rates current by fetching live rates from trusted financial data providers. When you sell in multiple currencies, accurate exchange rates ensure customers see correct prices — whether you update rates manually or on a schedule.

## Requirements

- PHP 8.3+
- Joomla! 6.x
- J2Commerce 6.x
- At least one currency enabled in addition to your store's base currency

## Purchase and Download

**Step 1:** Go to our [**J2Commerce** website](https://www.j2commerce.com/extensions) **->** **Apps**

**Step 2:** Locate the **Currency Exchange Updater** App **->** click **View Details** **->** **Add to cart** **->** **Checkout**.

**Step 3:** Go to your **My Downloads** under your profile button at the top right corner and search for the app. Click **Available Versions -> View Files -> Download**

## Install the App

Go to **System** **->** **Install** **->** **Extensions**

Upload the plugin ZIP file or use the Install from URL option.

![Joomla System Dashboard with System in the sidebar and the Install section's Extensions link highlighted, used to upload an extension package](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/address-install.webp)

## Enable the App

Once you have installed the App, you will need to enable it. There are **two** ways you can access the App.

**Option A:** Go to the **J2Commerce** icon at the top right corner **-> Apps**

**Option B:** Go to **Components** on the left sidebar **-> J2Commerce -> Apps**

![Joomla admin navigation to J2Commerce Apps: Components, J2Commerce, Apps in the sidebar, and Apps in the J2Commerce menu, all highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/address-apps.webp)

To help you narrow down the list, you can do a search for the **Currency Exchange Updater** app, click the **X,** and it will turn into a green checkmark. It is now enabled and ready for setup.

![J2Commerce Apps list searched for "currency", with the search box and the Currency Exchange Rates Updater enabled status icon highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-enable.webp)

## Choose an API Provider

Click on **Currency Exchange Rates Updater** to open the configuration screen. The most important setting is the **API Source**, which determines where exchange rates come from.

![Currency Exchange Rates Updater, API Source dropdown open and highlighted listing Frankfurter, ExchangeRate.host, ExchangeRate-API, CurrencyAPI and Open Exchange Rates](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-config.webp)

### API Source Comparison

| Provider | API Key Required | Free Tier | Best For |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Frankfurter** | No | Unlimited | Stores using major world currencies (EUR-based rates from ECB) |
| **ExchangeRate.host** | No | Unlimited | Stores needing broader currency coverage without API registration |
| **ExchangeRate-API** | Yes | 1,500 requests/month | Stores wanting rate limit alerts and usage tracking |
| **CurrencyAPI** | Yes | 300 requests/month | Stores needing real-time rates for many currencies |
| **Open Exchange Rates** | Yes | 1,000 requests/month | Stores needing 170+ currencies including cryptocurrency. |

---

## Get API Keys (4 Providers Require Keys)

### ExchangeRate-API

**Free tier:** 1,500 requests per month (plenty for hourly updates)

1. Go to [https://www.exchangerate-api.com/](https://www.exchangerate-api.com/)
2. Click **Get Free Key** or sign up for an account.
3. Enter your email address and create a password.
4. Check your email for a verification link and click it.
5. After verification, you'll see your API key on the dashboard.
6. Copy the API key.

![ExchangeRate-API account dashboard, API Access section showing Your API Key and an example request, both blurred, with account activation notification](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-exchangerate.webp)

**Configure in J2Commerce:**

- In the Currency Updater settings, select **ExchangeRate-API** as the API Source.
- Paste your key into the **ExchangeRate-API Key** field.
- Click **Save**.

![Currency Exchange Rates Updater with API Source set to ExchangeRate-API (API Key Required) and the ExchangeRate-API Key field highlighted, key value blurred](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-exchangerate1.webp)

---

### CurrencyAPI

**Free tier:** 300 requests per month (good for daily updates)

1. Go to [https://currencyapi.com/](https://currencyapi.com/)
2. Click **Sign Up Free** or **Get API Key**.
3. Create an account with your email and password.
4. Verify your email address.
5. Navigate to **API Keys** in your dashboard.
6. Click **Create New API Key** if one isn't already generated.
7. Copy the API key.

**Configure in J2Commerce:**

1. In the Currency Updater settings, select **CurrencyAPI** as the API Source.
2. Paste your key into the **CurrencyAPI Key** field.
3. Click **Save**.

![Currency Exchange Rates Updater with API Source set to CurrencyAPI (API Key Required) and the CurrencyAPI Key field highlighted, key value blurred](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-currencyapi.webp)

---

### Open Exchange Rates

**Free tier:** 1,000 requests per month with USD as base currency only

1. Go to [https://openexchangerates.org/signup/free](https://openexchangerates.org/signup/free)
2. Fill in your details and create a free account.
3. After logging in, go to **App IDs** in your dashboard.
4. Copy your **App ID** (this is your API key).

> **Tip:** **Important:** The free tier only returns rates with USD as the base currency. If your store's base currency is not USD, J2Commerce will automatically recalculate rates based on your base currency.

**Configure in J2Commerce:**

1. In the Currency Updater settings, select **Open Exchange Rates** as the API Source.
2. Paste your App ID into the **Open Exchange Rates App ID** field.
3. Click **Save**.

![Currency Exchange Rates Updater with API Source set to Open Exchange Rates (API Key Required) and the Open Exchange Rates App ID field highlighted, value blurred](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-open.webp)

---

### Frankfurter (No API Key Needed)

**Free, unlimited, no registration required.**

Frankfurter is an open-source API that pulls exchange rates directly from the European Central Bank. It's the recommended choice for most stores.

- No signup required
- Supports approximately 30 major world currencies
- Rates update daily (ECB publishes new rates around 16:00 CET on business days)
- No rate limits

**Configure in J2Commerce:**

1. Select **Frankfurter — ECB Rates** as the API Source.
2. No key needed — just click **Save**.

---

### ExchangeRate.host (No API Key Needed)

**Free, no registration required.**

ExchangeRate.host is a free alternative with broader currency coverage than Frankfurter.

- No signup required
- Wide currency coverage
- No rate limits for latest rates endpoint
- Good fallback if Frankfurter doesn't support your currencies

**Configure in J2Commerce:**

1. Select **ExchangeRate.host** as the API Source.
2. No key needed — just click **Save**.

---

## Manually Update Exchange Rates

You can update rates on demand from the Currencies management screen.

### Navigate to Currencies

Go to **Components** -> **J2Commerce** -> **Currencies**. Search for your Currency

Make sure the currencies you want to update have a green checkmark in the **Enabled** column. Rates are only fetched for enabled currencies.

![J2Commerce Currencies list filtered by "us", with the search box and the US Dollar enabled status icon highlighted, and the Update Rates toolbar button visible](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update.webp)

### Click Update Rates

Click the **Update Rates** button in the toolbar. J2Commerce contacts your configured API provider and updates the exchange rate values for all enabled currencies.

![J2Commerce Currencies list filtered by "us" with the Update Rates toolbar button highlighted, listing Australian Dollar, Russian Ruble and US Dollar at 1.00000000](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update1.webp)

After a successful update, you'll see a success message:

> **Info:** **Note**: You will only see a success message if you have more than one currency enabled.

![Currencies list after enabling a currency, with the 1 item(s) published message highlighted and the Russian Ruble and US Dollar enabled status icons highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update3.webp)

> **Info:** **Note**: You will receive an error message if you only have the default currency enabled because it automatically updates the default, so you don't need to click on Update Rates

![Currencies list with warning messages highlighted: No enabled currencies found to update, and Currency rate update failed, with the US Dollar status and Update Rates button highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update2.webp)

The **Modified** date column will show the current timestamp for each updated currency.

---

## Set Up Automatic Rate Updates

Instead of manually clicking Update Rates, you can schedule automatic updates using Joomla's Task Scheduler. This keeps your rates current without any intervention.

### Enable the Currency Updater Scheduled Task

- Go to **System** -> **Scheduled Tasks**.

![Joomla System Dashboard with the System sidebar item, the Manage heading and the Scheduled Tasks link highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-tasks.webp)

- Click **New** to create a new scheduled task.
- Search for and select **J2Commerce: Update Currency Rates**.

  ![Joomla Scheduled Tasks, Select a Task type, with J2Commerce: Update Currency Exchange Rates highlighted among the task types](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-tasks1.webp)

### Configure the New Task

![New scheduled task form titled Update Currency Rates Daily, New Task tab highlighted, with Execution Rule Interval, Minutes and Interval in Minutes set to 3](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update4.webp)

**Title:** `Update Currency Rates Daily`

**Execution Rules:** Leave default unless you need specific constraints

**Interval in Minutes:** `0 3 * * *` (daily at 3:00 AM) — adjust based on your needs

For stores that need more frequent updates (e.g., volatile markets), use:

- **Every hour:** `0 * * * *`
- **Every 6 hours:** `0 */6 * * *`
- **Twice daily:** `0 6,18 * * *`

### Verify the Scheduler Is Running

Joomla's Task Scheduler requires a trigger to execute scheduled tasks. You have two options:

**Option A: Server Cron Job (Recommended)**

Add this to your server's crontab:

```bash
*/5 * * * * php /path/to/your/site/cli/joomla.php scheduler:run
```

This checks for pending tasks every 5 minutes.

**Option B: Lazy Scheduler (Easier Setup)**

Go to **System** **->** **Scheduled Tasks**.

![Joomla System Dashboard with the System sidebar item, the Manage heading and the Scheduled Tasks link highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update5.webp)

Click the **Run Task** button

![Joomla Scheduled Tasks list with the Run Task button highlighted for Update Currency Rates Daily (J2Commerce: Update Currency Exchange Rates), above other scheduled tasks](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update6.webp)

The lazy scheduler triggers scheduled tasks when someone visits your site. It's simpler but less reliable than a real cron job.

![Run Task (ID: 4) dialog for the Update Currency Rates Daily task showing Status Completed, a full green progress bar and Duration 0.26 seconds](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/currency-update7.webp)

## Troubleshooting

### "An API key is required for \[Provider\]"

**Cause:** You selected an API provider that requires authentication but didn't enter the key.

**Solution:**

1. Open the Currency Updater settings.
2. Enter the API key in the appropriate field.
3. Click **Save**.

If you don't have a key yet, see the "Get API Keys" section above, or switch to a provider that doesn't require a key (Frankfurter or ExchangeRate.host).

---

### "No enabled currencies found to update"

**Cause:** All currencies except your store's base currency are disabled.

**Solution:**

1. Go to **Components** -> **J2Commerce** -> **Currencies**.
2. Enable at least one currency besides your base currency.
3. Return to the Currencies view and click **Update Rates** again.

---

### "Your store base currency is not available from \[Provider\]"

**Cause:** The selected API provider doesn't support your store's base currency in its response.

**Solution:**

1. Switch to a different API provider that supports more currencies (Frankfurter and ExchangeRate.host support ~30 major currencies; Open Exchange Rates supports 170+).
2. If using Open Exchange Rates free tier, be aware it only returns USD-based rates. J2Commerce automatically recalculates from USD to your base currency, but your base currency must be in the supported list.

---

### Rates haven't updated even though cron ran

**Possible causes:**

1. **The Currency Updater plugin is disabled.** Go to **J2Commerce** -> **Apps** and verify the plugin has a green checkmark.
2. **No currencies are enabled.** Go to **Currencies** and enable at least one currency besides your base currency.
3. **API key is invalid or expired.** Test by clicking **Update Rates** manually in the Currencies view. If it fails, check your API key.
4. **API provider is down.** Try switching to a different provider temporarily.
5. **Your base currency isn't set.** Go to **J2Commerce** -> **Setup** -> **Store** and verify **Store Currency** is configured.

---

### ExchangeRate-API shows "HTTP 403" error

**Cause:** Your API key is invalid, revoked, or has exceeded its request limit.

**Solution:**

1. Log into your ExchangeRate-API account.
2. Check your usage and key status.
3. If the key is invalid, generate a new key.
4. Update the key in J2Commerce Currency Updater settings.

---

### CurrencyAPI shows "HTTP 401" error

**Cause:** Your API key is missing from the request or is invalid.

**Solution:**

1. Verify you copied the entire API key (no extra spaces).
2. Log into your CurrencyAPI account and check your key status.
3. If the key is revoked, generate a new key.

---

## Best Practices

### Choose the Right Update Frequency

- **Daily updates** are sufficient for most stores. Exchange rates fluctuate, but daily updates keep prices reasonably accurate.
- **Hourly updates** may be needed if you sell in volatile markets or cryptocurrencies, or if your margins are tight.
- **Avoid updating more than once per hour** — most free API tiers have monthly limits, and rates don't change that fast.

### Monitor Your API Usage

If you use ExchangeRate-API, CurrencyAPI, or Open Exchange Rates:

- Log into your provider's dashboard monthly to check usage.
- A daily update uses ~30 requests per month.
- An hourly update uses ~720 requests per month.
- If you're approaching your limit, reduce update frequency or upgrade your plan.

### Test After Configuration

After setting up automatic updates:

1. Go to **System** -> **Scheduled Tasks**.
2. Find your Currency Updater task.
3. Click the task title to view its history.
4. Verify the last execution shows "Success" status.