★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: Databento checked July 18, 2026
Tool Comparison
Databento vs GuruFocus
Pick Databento instead if
Databento
Subscription, Other · Web · API
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You care about order book / level II, something GuruFocus doesn't offer
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, things Databento doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Databento and GuruFocus cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including APIs & data feeds, options, and dividends), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 48 categories to Databento's 5, including stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, plus a mobile app. Databento counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
Databento
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- GuruFocus
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus48 vs 5 categories
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- Real-time data
- Databento
- Beginner friendly
- GuruFocus
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 | Subscription, Other | Free • From $549/yr |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | 7 days |
Plan limits | — | 47 limits: Free: portfolio limit: Up to 3 portfolios with 25 stocks each for free members, Free: data api requests: 100/month included in the Free API package +45 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | — | Yes |
Integrations | Python client, C++ client +1 more | GuruFocus Data API, GuruFocus MCP Server +3 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Quants/Developers, Algo Traders +2 more | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more |
Categories covered | 5 | 48 |
Regions | North America, Europe | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 3 signals: Latency: Streaming and Real-time, Granularity: Tick, Second, Minute, and EOD +1 more | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more |
Data partners | — | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more |
Capabilities | — | 8 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +6 more |
Security | — | Status page and Encryption in transit |
| Try it | Visit Databento | Visit GuruFocus |
Where each one shines
What Databento and GuruFocus each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Databento and GuruFocus each do best.What Databento does best
- Historical downloads and live streaming for supported equities, equity options, futures, spreads, and options on futures.
- Schemas ranging from trades and OHLCV bars to top-of-book, market-by-price, and full market-by-order data.
- HTTP and raw TCP APIs, plus official Python, C++, and Rust client libraries.
- CSV, JSON, and Databento Binary Encoding output, with flat-file and packet-capture delivery where offered.
- Security-master, symbology, corporate-action, and adjustment data for supported products and venues.
What GuruFocus does best
- Research coverage for global stocks with long historical financials, valuation data, charts, comparisons, market valuation indicators, economic indicators, industry data, and company-level fundamentals.
- The All-in-One Screener with hundreds of filters across fundamentals, valuation, profitability, growth, dividends, guru holdings, insider trades, predefined value screens, custom filters, saved screens, and downloads.
- Backtest screener strategies across many countries with configurable stock count, ranking metric, sort order, date range, and rebalance frequency.
- GF Score to compare stocks through a 0-100 framework built around financial strength, profitability, growth, valuation, and momentum.
- GF Value to frame fair value from historical multiples, past returns, and analyst estimates, then classify stocks by valuation range.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Databento and GuruFocus, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Databento and GuruFocus, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsFutures | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther |
Experience | IntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Quants/DevelopersAlgo TradersInstitutional InvestorsHedge Funds | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more |
Regions | North AmericaEurope | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | StreamingReal-time | End of Day |
Data granularity | TickSecondMinuteEOD | EOD |
Pricing sources | Not specified | ExchangeVendorModel |
Data partners | Not specified | QuoteMediaMorningstarRefinitivFREDSEC / local regulators |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | REST |
API auth & delivery | Auth: APIKeySDKs: PythonDocs | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python and GoDocs |
Import methods | Not specified | CSVBrokerOAuthManual |
Integrations | Python clientC++ clientRust client | GuruFocus Data APIGuruFocus MCP ServerGuruFocus Excel Add-inGuruFocus Google Sheets Add-onSnapTrade |
Export formats | CSVJSON | CSVExcelJSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status pageEncryption in transit |
Capability signals | Not specified | Custom formulasRanking backtestsUniverse builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, and GrowthBroker syncMulti-currencyYield curvesAI summaries: Transcripts |
Vendor & support | Databento, Inc.Country: USSupport: Email and Chat | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum |
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 | — | Freeportfolio limit: Up to 3 portfolios with 25 stocks each for free members · data api requests: 100/month included in the Free API package · +1 more |
| Entry paid plan | — | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more |
| Tier 2 | — | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Plus / Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more |
| Tier 3 | — | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +10 more |
| Tier 4 | — | $2448/yr≈ $204/mo“Pro / Professional”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 2,000/month included with Professional membership |
| Tier 5 | — | $2000/mo“Data API Commercial”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +1 more |
| Top plan | — | $100 per unit“Data API Pay As You Go”initial top up: $100 credit · stock daily prices: $0.05/request · +16 more |
| Custom / enterprise | — | Contact sales“Custom API / Enterprise Package” |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Databento and GuruFocus?
Databento leans toward APIs & data feeds, order book / level II, and options, while GuruFocus puts more weight on stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is Databento or GuruFocus free to use?
GuruFocus has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. Databento is paid-only. If budget matters, start with GuruFocus and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Which is better for beginners: Databento or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus is the friendlier place to start; its interface takes less getting used to. Both work fine once you're past the basics.
Can I use Databento or GuruFocus on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. Databento doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web and API.
Do Databento and GuruFocus have APIs?
Yes, both offer API access, so developers and quants can pull data programmatically or wire up their own integrations.
Should I choose Databento or GuruFocus?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Databento if order book / level II matter to you; go with GuruFocus if you'd rather have stock ideas and screeners. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Databento and GuruFocus cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. Databento also handles futures. GuruFocus adds bonds, mutual funds, and funds on top.
Does Databento or GuruFocus have real-time data?
Databento offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. GuruFocus 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 Databento and GuruFocus?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: Databento or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Databento doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Databento or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. Databento is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
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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.