Tool Comparison
AlphaResearch vs OpenBB
- Paid from
- $49.99/mo, billed monthly
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
Best if
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want improved filings, transcripts, and filing sentiment.
- Paid from
- $500/yr, billed annually
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Desktop, Mobile
Best if
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want APIs & data feeds, data visualizations, and custom dashboards.
Pick AlphaResearch if
AlphaResearch
Free • From $49.99/mo, billed monthly · Web
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want improved filings, transcripts, and filing sentiment.
Pick OpenBB if
OpenBB
Free • From $500/yr, billed annually · Web · Desktop · Mobile
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want APIs & data feeds, data visualizations, and custom dashboards.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
AlphaResearch and OpenBB cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including AI research, screeners, and financials), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. AlphaResearch includes improved filings and transcripts, and OpenBB includes APIs & data feeds and data visualizations.
What readers say
AlphaResearch
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OpenBB
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- AlphaResearch
- Free trial
- AlphaResearch7 days
- Mobile app
- OpenBB
- Desktop app
- OpenBB
- API access
- OpenBB
- Free plan
- Both
What AlphaResearch does best
- Search millions of filings and other financial documents with machine-learning and natural-language tools.
- Read SEC filings, press releases, and earnings-call transcripts on the Basic plan.
- Set document alerts, screen filings, follow topics, review sentiment, and use News Watch.
- Check insider trades, 13F ownership, ETF holdings, and mutual-fund holdings.
- Highlight passages, add notes and references, and collaborate with colleagues.
What OpenBB does best
- The open-source Open Data Platform locally under AGPL for combined financial and economic data access through provider connectors.
- Work across Python, REST API, notebooks, Workspace, and Excel-oriented workflows depending on whether you are coding, analyzing, or building dashboards.
- Connections for third-party data providers and your own API keys; OpenBB does not host or redistribute production market data for you.
- Tools for building Workspace dashboards with customizable UI components, apps, widgets, and firm-specific data integrations.
- Support for adding proprietary or internal data by exposing an API plus a widgets.json definition for custom Workspace widgets.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free • From $49.99/mo, billed monthly | Free • From $500/yr, billed annually |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | 7 days | — |
Plan limits | Basic: billing cadence: Billed quarterly | 10 limits: Workspace Community: copilot queries per day: 20, Workspace Community: excel add in: No (per plan comparison) +8 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | No | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | No | — |
Integrations | Excel and Google Sheets | OpenBB Skills, Workspace MCP server +2 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Pro Retail, Analysts +4 more | Institutional Investors, Analysts +2 more |
Categories covered | 14 | 12 |
Regions | North America, Europe | — |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | Latency: Real-time and End of Day and Granularity: EOD | — |
Capabilities | Universe builder and Citation pinning | IV surface and Yield curves |
Security | — | 6 signals: SOC2, SSO: SAML and OIDC +4 more |
| Try it | Visit AlphaResearch | Visit OpenBB |
Standout features
The best features of AlphaResearch and OpenBB.ShowHide
Standout features
What AlphaResearch does best
- Search millions of filings and other financial documents with machine-learning and natural-language tools.
- Read SEC filings, press releases, and earnings-call transcripts on the Basic plan.
- Set document alerts, screen filings, follow topics, review sentiment, and use News Watch.
- Check insider trades, 13F ownership, ETF holdings, and mutual-fund holdings.
- Highlight passages, add notes and references, and collaborate with colleagues.
What OpenBB does best
- The open-source Open Data Platform locally under AGPL for combined financial and economic data access through provider connectors.
- Work across Python, REST API, notebooks, Workspace, and Excel-oriented workflows depending on whether you are coding, analyzing, or building dashboards.
- Connections for third-party data providers and your own API keys; OpenBB does not host or redistribute production market data for you.
- Tools for building Workspace dashboards with customizable UI components, apps, widgets, and firm-specific data integrations.
- Support for adding proprietary or internal data by exposing an API plus a widgets.json definition for custom Workspace widgets.
All details
Every attribute we track for AlphaResearch and OpenBB.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsMutual Funds | StocksETFsCryptosCurrenciesCommoditiesBondsOptionsFutures |
Experience | IntermediateAdvanced | IntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Pro RetailAnalystsInstitutional InvestorsHedge FundsAsset ManagersStudents/Researchers | Institutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/DevelopersStudents/Researchers |
Regions | North AmericaEurope | Not specified |
Coverage details | Countries: US, CA, and GBIdentifiers: Ticker and CIK | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: NoneSDKs: PythonDocs |
Integrations | ExcelGoogle Sheets | OpenBB SkillsWorkspace MCP serverMCP serversExcel Add-in |
Export formats | Excel | CSVExcel |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | SOC2SSO: SAML and OIDCStatus pageEncryption at restEncryption in transitRole-based access |
Capability signals | Universe builderCitation pinning | IV surfaceYield curves |
Vendor & support | Alpha ResearchCountry: United StatesSupport: Email | OpenBB Inc.Founded 2021Support: Email and Forum |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Limited free access” | Free“Workspace Community”copilot queries per day: 20 · excel add in: No (per plan comparison) · +1 more |
| Entry paid plan | $49.99/moBilled monthly“Basic”billing cadence: Billed quarterly | $500/yrBilled annually≈ $41.67/mo“Snowflake Native App” |
| Top plan | — | $2400/yrBilled annually≈ $200/mo“Workspace Lite”team size: Designed for teams under 10 · excel add in: No (per plan comparison) · +1 more |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Enterprise” | Contact sales“Workspace Pro”pricing model: Custom team license (contact sales) · support: 8 hours/day, 5 days/week (EST) |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
Alternatives
Free alternatives
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between AlphaResearch and OpenBB?
AlphaResearch leans toward AI research, improved filings, and transcripts, while OpenBB puts more weight on APIs & data feeds, sheets / excel add-ins, and data visualizations. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do AlphaResearch and OpenBB cost?
Good news: both AlphaResearch and OpenBB have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use AlphaResearch or OpenBB on my phone?
OpenBB lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. AlphaResearch doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does AlphaResearch or OpenBB have an API?
OpenBB has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. AlphaResearch doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose AlphaResearch or OpenBB?
It depends on what you're after. Pick AlphaResearch if improved filings and transcripts matter to you; go with OpenBB if you'd rather have APIs & data feeds and data visualizations. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do AlphaResearch and OpenBB cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. AlphaResearch also handles mutual funds. OpenBB adds cryptos, currencies, and commodities on top.
Does AlphaResearch or OpenBB have real-time data?
AlphaResearch offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. OpenBB runs on delayed or end-of-day data, which is perfectly fine for longer-term investors who don't live and die by the tick.
Can I export data from AlphaResearch and OpenBB?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (Excel), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: AlphaResearch or OpenBB?
Both AlphaResearch and OpenBB include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
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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.