VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Tool Comparison · Wednesday, June 3, 2026

CB Insights vs ETF Action

CB Insights vs ETF Action: which investing tool fits your workflow? Compare pricing, features, platforms, and verdict in seconds.

Quick verdict
CB Insights logo

CB Insights

cbinsights.com

Best for sheets / excel add-ins, and acquisitions

Pricing
Subscription
Platforms
Web, Mobile, API
VS
ETF Action logo

ETF Action

etfaction.com

Best for etf overview, and etf performance

Pricing
Free • Paid plans available
Platforms
Web, API

Outbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.

Comparison snapshot

Attribute
CB Insights
ETF Action
Starting price
Subscription
Free • Paid plans available
Categories covered
7
17
Web app
Yes
Yes
Mobile app
Yes
No
API access
Yes
Yes
Regions
North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa
North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa

Who should choose which?

Choose

CB Insights if…

  • You need a mobile app for on-the-go research
  • You need global company intelligence platform covering private and public companies, investors, deals, m&a, public-company earnings, and business relationships.
  • You need feeds and data solutions provide structured access to company profiles, financial transactions, business relationships, scouting reports, and proprietary data-science measures.
  • You need microsoft excel add-in to pull in cb insights company data, mosaic scores, and taxonomies directly into spreadsheets.

Choose

ETF Action if…

  • You want to start free before paying
  • You need real-time data, not delayed quotes
  • You need global etf ‘channels’ taxonomy with category reports and dashboards (size & style us/global, region & country, sector & industry, thematic, fixed income, non‑traditional, commodities, crypto).
  • You need look‑through analytics on fund holdings for factor/style, sector/industry, country, concentration; portfolio overlap analysis across funds or entire models.

Consider alternatives if…

  • You want broader category coverage in one tool.
  • Neither pricing tier fits your budget.
See alternatives

Side-by-side feature breakdown

AttributeCB InsightsETF Action
Asset types
StocksOther
ETFsStocks
Experience
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Regions
North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica
North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica
Data freshness
Not specified
Real-timeEnd of Day
API access
Not specifiedNot specified
Export formats
Not specified
ExcelCSVPDF

Seen enough? Open either tool and try it now.

Pricing breakdown

Pricing details

Tool

CB Insights

Starting price

Free tierNo
Free trial

Plans & pricing

Data SolutionsSubscription
Enterprise PlatformSubscription

Tool

ETF Action

$29/mo

Starting price

Free tierYes
Free trial14 days

Plans & pricing

Free / BasicFree
DIY$29/mo
Advisor Pro$99/mo
EnterpriseSubscription
Model Builder$199/mo

Coverage overlap

Shared categories3

Categories where both tools offer overlapping coverage.

Community category leaders

Vote sentiment comparison

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Still deciding? Get hands-on with both — most plans offer a free tier or trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between CB Insights and ETF Action?

CB Insights focuses on Data APIs, Sheets / Excel Add-ins, and Screeners while ETF Action specializes in ETF Overview, ETF Performance, and ETF Holdings. They overlap in 3 categories, so choose based on your preferred workflow and pricing.

Is CB Insights or ETF Action free to use?

ETF Action offers a free tier that lets you get started without paying, while CB Insights requires a subscription. If budget is a concern, start with ETF Action and upgrade later if you need more advanced features.

Can I use CB Insights or ETF Action on my phone?

CB Insights has a mobile app so you can check your research on the go. ETF Action is web-only, so you'll need a browser to access it from mobile devices.

Do CB Insights and ETF Action have APIs?

Yes, both platforms offer API access for developers and quants who want to build custom integrations or automate their workflows.

Should I choose CB Insights or ETF Action?

Choose CB Insights if you need Global company intelligence platform covering private and public companies, investors, deals, M&A, public-company earnings, and business relationships., and Feeds and data solutions provide structured access to company profiles, financial transactions, business relationships, scouting reports, and proprietary data-science measures.. Go with ETF Action if Global ETF ‘Channels’ taxonomy with category reports and dashboards (Size & Style US/Global, Region & Country, Sector & Industry, Thematic, Fixed Income, Non‑Traditional, Commodities, Crypto)., and Look‑through analytics on fund holdings for factor/style, sector/industry, country, concentration; portfolio overlap analysis across funds or entire models. better fits how you invest.

What asset classes do CB Insights and ETF Action cover?

Both cover Stocks. CB Insights also includes Other. ETF Action adds coverage for ETFs.

Does CB Insights or ETF Action have real-time data?

ETF Action offers real-time data feeds, which is essential for active traders. CB Insights uses delayed or end-of-day data, which works fine for longer-term investors who don't need up-to-the-second quotes.

Can I export data from CB Insights and ETF Action?

ETF Action supports data exports to Excel, CSV, and PDF. CB Insights has more limited export options.

Which has a better stock screener—CB Insights or ETF Action?

Both CB Insights and ETF Action include stock screeners. Try each to see which filtering options and interface you prefer.

Can I track my portfolio with CB Insights or ETF Action?

ETF Action offers portfolio tracking features. CB Insights is more focused on research and analysis.

Top 50 Investing ToolsGlobal ranking of the best investing tools, ranked by community votes.

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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.