VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

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Friday, December 26, 2025

Tool Comparison

CB Insights vs MesoSim comparison

Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.

Quick takeaways

CB Insights adds Data APIs, Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Screeners, Acquisitions, and Newsletters coverage that MesoSim skips.

MesoSim includes Backtesting, Options & Derivatives, Paper Trading, APIs & SDKs, and AI Chat categories that CB Insights omits.

MesoSim keeps a free entry point that CB Insights lacks.

CB Insights ships a mobile app. MesoSim is web/desktop only.

In depth comparison

CB Insights

cbinsights.com

An enterprise-grade market intelligence platform covering both private and public companies. CB Insights combines company profiles, deal tracking, and predictive scoring with AI-powered search and visual analytics. APIs and enterprise integrations (Salesforce, Excel, Snowflake, Microsoft 365 Copilot) are available on paid plans. A 10-day free trial is offered for new users.

Platforms

WebMobileAPI

Pricing

Subscription

Quick highlights

Global company intelligence platform covering private and public companies, investors, deals, and M&A activity.
APIs and enterprise data feeds providing structured access to company, funding, and investor datasets.
Microsoft Excel add-in to pull in CB Insights company data, Mosaic Scores, and taxonomies directly into spreadsheets.
Salesforce integration to embed company and investor insights into CRM workflows.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Graph Connector to surface CB Insights data directly inside Copilot experiences.

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MesoSim

mesosim.io

Options strategy backtesting SaaS with low-code strategy definitions, observability (events log), risk graphs/Greeks, margin reporting, an options valuation model/solver, and an implied-volatility surface viewer. Plan gating: Free includes 25 runs; Standard ($1000/yr) unlocks unlimited SPX + BTCUSD/ETHUSD options backtests plus sharing/exports and 1 MesoLive paper-trading account; Advanced ($1250/yr) adds RUT/VIX/GLD, margin models, vol surface/HD risk graphs, and hourly risk traces (plus up to 2 paper accounts). Live trade execution is a paid MesoLive add-on; API access is FundPro-only.

Platforms

WebAPI

Pricing

FreeSubscription

Quick highlights

Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow.
Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring).
TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes.
Published data availability + vendors and resolution (5-minute): SPX/RUT/VIX/GLD sourced from Cboe Global Markets; BTCUSD/ETHUSD (and historical SOLUSD) sourced from Deribit.
Position Monitor provides 2D/3D risk graphs, PnL, and Greeks, with trace collection intervals (Off/Daily/Hourly).

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Where they differ

CB Insights

Distinct strengths include:

Data APIs Sheets / Excel Add-ins Screeners Acquisitions Newsletters

Global company intelligence platform covering private and public companies, investors, deals, and M&A activity.
APIs and enterprise data feeds providing structured access to company, funding, and investor datasets.
Microsoft Excel add-in to pull in CB Insights company data, Mosaic Scores, and taxonomies directly into spreadsheets.
Salesforce integration to embed company and investor insights into CRM workflows.

MesoSim

Distinct strengths include:

Backtesting Options & Derivatives Paper Trading APIs & SDKs AI Chat

Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow.
Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring).
TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes.
Published data availability + vendors and resolution (5-minute): SPX/RUT/VIX/GLD sourced from Cboe Global Markets; BTCUSD/ETHUSD (and historical SOLUSD) sourced from Deribit.

Feature-by-feature breakdown

Attribute	CB Insights	MesoSim
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets	Shared: Data Visualizations, AI Unique: Data APIs, Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Screeners, Acquisitions, Newsletters	Shared: Data Visualizations, AI Unique: Backtesting, Options & Derivatives, Paper Trading, APIs & SDKs, AI Chat
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes	Stocks, Other	Options, Cryptos
Experience levels Who each product is built for	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced	Intermediate, Advanced
Platforms Where you can access the product	Web, Mobile, API	Web, API
Pricing High-level pricing models	Subscription	Free, Subscription
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor	Unique Global company intelligence platform covering private and public companies, investors, deals, and M&A activity. APIs and enterprise data feeds providing structured access to company, funding, and investor datasets. Microsoft Excel add-in to pull in CB Insights company data, Mosaic Scores, and taxonomies directly into spreadsheets. Salesforce integration to embed company and investor insights into CRM workflows. Microsoft 365 Copilot Graph Connector to surface CB Insights data directly inside Copilot experiences. Snowflake data delivery with feeds optimized for AI and analytics use cases.	Unique Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow. Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring). TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes. Published data availability + vendors and resolution (5-minute): SPX/RUT/VIX/GLD sourced from Cboe Global Markets; BTCUSD/ETHUSD (and historical SOLUSD) sourced from Deribit. Position Monitor provides 2D/3D risk graphs, PnL, and Greeks, with trace collection intervals (Off/Daily/Hourly). Volatility Surface viewer to explore implied-vol surfaces with overlays (e.g., open interest, volume, bid-ask spread, Greeks) and playback at 5-minute resolution (non-crypto in current version).
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat	Not yet	Not yet
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists	Standard listing	Standard listing

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workflows do CB Insights and MesoSim both support?

Both platforms cover Data Visualizations, and AI workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.

Which tool offers a free plan?

MesoSim offers a free entry point, while CB Insights requires a paid subscription. Review the pricing table to see how the paid tiers compare.

Which tool has mobile access?

CB Insights ships a dedicated mobile experience, while MesoSim focuses on web or desktop access.

What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?

CB Insights differentiates itself with Global company intelligence platform covering private and public companies, investors, deals, and M&A activity., APIs and enterprise data feeds providing structured access to company, funding, and investor datasets., and Microsoft Excel add-in to pull in CB Insights company data, Mosaic Scores, and taxonomies directly into spreadsheets., whereas MesoSim stands out for Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow., Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring)., and TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes..

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