VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Source checks: Curvo Backtest checked September 30, 2026 · MarketXLS checked September 24, 2026
Tool Comparison
Curvo Backtest vs MarketXLS
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
Best if
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want backtesting and data visualizations.
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
- Paid from
- $70.83/mo
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Desktop, Web
Best if
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and screeners.
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Pick Curvo Backtest instead if
Curvo Backtest
Free · Web
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want backtesting and data visualizations.
Start here
MarketXLS
From $850/yr · Desktop · Web
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and screeners.
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Curvo Backtest and MarketXLS cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including portfolio, risk metrics, and monte carlo), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. MarketXLS simply does more: 16 categories to Curvo Backtest's 6, including sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and screeners. Curvo Backtest counters by being completely free.
What readers say
Curvo Backtest
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MarketXLS
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Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- Curvo Backtest
- Broader coverage
- MarketXLS16 vs 6 categories
- Desktop app
- MarketXLS
- Real-time data
- MarketXLS
- Asset coverage
- MarketXLSAdds stocks and options
What Curvo Backtest does best
- Set fund weights and compare allocations.
- Model returns using underlying index histories.
- Include each fund's TER in the simulation.
- Test allocation drift thresholds.
- Send a link to the portfolio setup.
What MarketXLS does best
- Use more than 1,000 market-data and analysis functions in Excel on Windows, Mac, and the web, or in Google Sheets.
- Access quotes, fundamentals, historical statements, ETF data, options data, mutual-fund data, crypto pairs, FRED economic series, and selected technical data into workbooks.
- Real-time streaming quotes on Advanced and Business plans for covered U.S. and Canadian stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Standard defaults to 15-minute delayed stock, ETF, and crypto data, with EOD options, mutual-fund, and economic data.
- Analyze options chains, Greeks, implied volatility, order flow, strategy profit and loss, and broker symbols.
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 $850/yr |
Free tier | Yes | No |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | 9 limits: Standard: stock etf delay minutes: 15, Standard: options timing: End of day +7 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | No | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
Integrations | — | Interactive Brokers, Thinkorswim +11 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Index/Passive Investors and Long-term Investors | — |
Categories covered | 6 | 16 |
Regions | Europe | North America, Europe, APAC |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | Adjustments: TotalReturn and Pricing: Model | 4 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +2 more |
Capabilities | Monte Carlo and Rebalancing | 5 signals: Factors: Value, Quality, and Momentum, Multi-leg options +3 more |
Security | — | Status page |
| Try it | Visit Curvo Backtest | Visit MarketXLS |
Standout features
The best features of Curvo Backtest and MarketXLS.ShowHide
Standout features
What Curvo Backtest does best
- Set fund weights and compare allocations.
- Model returns using underlying index histories.
- Include each fund's TER in the simulation.
- Test allocation drift thresholds.
- Send a link to the portfolio setup.
What MarketXLS does best
- Use more than 1,000 market-data and analysis functions in Excel on Windows, Mac, and the web, or in Google Sheets.
- Access quotes, fundamentals, historical statements, ETF data, options data, mutual-fund data, crypto pairs, FRED economic series, and selected technical data into workbooks.
- Real-time streaming quotes on Advanced and Business plans for covered U.S. and Canadian stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Standard defaults to 15-minute delayed stock, ETF, and crypto data, with EOD options, mutual-fund, and economic data.
- Analyze options chains, Greeks, implied volatility, order flow, strategy profit and loss, and broker symbols.
All details
Every attribute we track for Curvo Backtest and MarketXLS.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | ETFsMutual Funds | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsCurrenciesFuturesCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Index/Passive InvestorsLong-term Investors | Not specified |
Regions | Europe | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | Identifiers: ISIN and Ticker | Countries: US and CA5 exchangesIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | MinuteEOD |
Pricing sources | Model | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Integrations | Not specified | Interactive BrokersThinkorswimTradierOrionCharles Schwab (OpenView Gateway)QuoteMediaIEX CloudNasdaq+5 more |
Export formats | Not specified | ExcelCSV |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status page |
Capability signals | Monte CarloRebalancing | Factors: Value, Quality, and MomentumMulti-leg optionsGreeksMonte CarloCorrelation |
Vendor & support | Not specified | MarketXLS LimitedCountry: IrelandFounded 2016Support: Email and Phone |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free | — |
| Entry paid plan | — | $850/yr≈ $70.83/mo“Standard”stock etf delay minutes: 15 · options timing: End of day · +1 more |
| Tier 2 | — | $1500/yr≈ $125/mo“Advanced”stock etf timing: Real-time streaming · options timing: Real-time streaming · +1 more |
| Top plan | — | $2400/yr≈ $200/mo“Business”support: VIP · consulting: Included · +1 more |
Free alternatives
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Curvo Backtest and MarketXLS?
Curvo Backtest leans toward backtesting, portfolio, and risk metrics, while MarketXLS puts more weight on sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and screeners. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is Curvo Backtest or MarketXLS free to use?
Curvo Backtest has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. MarketXLS is paid-only. If budget matters, start with Curvo Backtest and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Which is better for beginners: Curvo Backtest or MarketXLS?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Should I choose Curvo Backtest or MarketXLS?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Curvo Backtest if backtesting and data visualizations matter to you; go with MarketXLS if you'd rather have sheets / excel add-ins and broker connectors. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Curvo Backtest and MarketXLS cover?
Both cover ETFs and mutual funds. MarketXLS adds stocks, options, and currencies on top.
Does Curvo Backtest or MarketXLS have real-time data?
MarketXLS offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Curvo Backtest 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 Curvo Backtest and MarketXLS?
MarketXLS exports to Excel and CSV. Curvo Backtest is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: Curvo Backtest or MarketXLS?
MarketXLS has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Curvo Backtest doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Curvo Backtest or MarketXLS?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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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.