VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
13F Insight vs FOIAsearch
Start here
13F Insight
Free • Contact for pricing · Web · API
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want data visualizations, institutional ownership, and news.
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Pick FOIAsearch instead if
FOIAsearch
Free • Paid plans available · Web
- You want flags.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
13F Insight and FOIAsearch cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, watchlist, regulatory filings monitoring, and alerts), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. 13F Insight simply does more: 10 categories to FOIAsearch's 4, including data visualizations, institutional ownership, and news. FOIAsearch counters by being completely free.
What readers say
13F Insight
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
FOIAsearch
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- 13F InsightAdds ETFs and options
- Broader coverage
- 13F Insight10 vs 4 categories
- API access
- 13F Insight
- Free plan
- Both
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free • Contact for pricing | Free • Paid plans available |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 3 limits: Free: watchlist items: 5, Standard: watchlist items: 20 +1 more | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | Yes | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +3 more | — |
Categories covered | 10 | 4 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Capabilities | AI summaries: Filings | — |
Security | Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit 13F Insight | Visit FOIAsearch |
Where each one shines
What 13F Insight and FOIAsearch each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What 13F Insight and FOIAsearch each do best.What 13F Insight does best
- Track 13F holdings, Form 4 insider trades, and 13D/G ownership reports in one place.
- Search filing history for more than 30,000 institutional filers, with AUM, holdings, and position-change views.
- Ask the AI Agent questions about a filer, stock, or insider and follow its citations back to the filings.
- Use AI summaries, position-change analysis, and unusual-activity alerts as a first pass.
- Build filer and stock watchlists.
What FOIAsearch does best
- Search SEC FOIA request logs by company or organization.
- Review separate lists for all requests and B7A-exempt requests.
- Use Protect My Portfolio for alerts about saved portfolio companies.
- Use IR Watch for alerts when hedge funds, research firms or reporters request information about an issuer.
- Receive a monthly roundup of SEC FOIA requests from selected reporters.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for 13F Insight and FOIAsearch, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for 13F Insight and FOIAsearch, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBonds | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailValue InvestorsGrowth InvestorsAnalysts | Not specified |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker, CUSIP, and CIK | Countries: US |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Encryption in transit | Not specified |
Capability signals | AI summaries: Filings | Not specified |
Vendor & support | 13F InsightSupport: Email | Dorsey Research LLCSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 3/5UX 4/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Freewatchlist items: 5 | Free“Free Search” |
| Entry paid plan | Subscription“Standard”watchlist items: 20 | Subscription“Portfolio Alerts” |
| Tier 2 | Subscription“Pro”watchlist items: 100 | Subscription“IR Watch” |
| Top plan | — | Subscription“Prominent Reporter Alerts” |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Enterprise” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between 13F Insight and FOIAsearch?
13F Insight leans toward data visualizations, watchlist, and institutional ownership, while FOIAsearch puts more weight on alerts, regulatory filings monitoring, and watchlist. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do 13F Insight and FOIAsearch cost?
Good news: both 13F Insight and FOIAsearch have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Does 13F Insight or FOIAsearch have an API?
13F Insight has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. FOIAsearch doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose 13F Insight or FOIAsearch?
It depends on what you're after. Pick 13F Insight if data visualizations and institutional ownership matter to you; go with FOIAsearch if you'd rather have flags. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do 13F Insight and FOIAsearch cover?
Both cover stocks. 13F Insight also handles ETFs, options, and bonds.
Keep researching
More comparisons to check
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.