★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: ETF Action checked August 4, 2026
Tool Comparison
ETF Action vs MarineTraffic
Start here
ETF Action
Free • From $29/mo · Web · API
- You care about ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap, things MarineTraffic doesn't offer
Pick MarineTraffic instead if
MarineTraffic
Free • Paid plans available · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about shipping & trade, something ETF Action doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
ETF Action and MarineTraffic cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, data visualizations, APIs & data feeds, and alerts), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ETF Action simply does more: 13 categories to MarineTraffic's 4, including ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap. MarineTraffic counters by being completely free.
What readers say
ETF Action
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
MarineTraffic
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- MarineTraffic
- Broader coverage
- ETF Action13 vs 4 categories
- Free plan
- Both
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 | Free • From $29/mo | Free • Paid plans available |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | No | No |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing), Bridge (model trading integration) +1 more | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 13 | 4 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +2 more | Latency: Streaming |
Capabilities | 5 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and Size +3 more | — |
| Try it | Visit ETF Action | Visit MarineTraffic |
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and MarineTraffic each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and MarineTraffic each do best.What ETF Action does best
- Research coverage for ETFs through global category channels covering size and style, regions, countries, sectors, industries, themes, fixed income, non-traditional assets, commodities, and crypto.
- Look-through holdings analytics to inspect factor, style, sector, industry, country, and concentration exposure inside funds and models.
- Comparison tools for ETF overlap across individual funds or full model portfolios to understand hidden duplication and concentration risk.
- Monitoring ETF flows, trading volumes, ADV, daily refreshes, and T+1 flow timing from the platform dashboards.
- Screeners, watchlists, fund dashboards, Excel or CSV exports, and live indicative FMV quote context where plan limits allow.
What MarineTraffic does best
- Tracking vessels on a live AIS map with filters for ship type, capacity, status, destination, and custom smart filters.
- Tools for creating notifications for port calls, area entries, speed or course changes, drifting, ETA updates, draught updates, proximity events, and AIS coverage changes.
- Email, mobile push, and notification archives to monitor maritime events are available without constantly watching the map.
- Views for reviewing Past Track playback, with history depth varying by plan from limited free access to deeper Enterprise history.
- Route-forecast tools for path previews, ETA detail, and speed detail where the plan supports them.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and MarineTraffic, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and MarineTraffic, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | ETFsStocks | Other |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica |
Coverage details | Exchanges: ARCX, XNAS, and BATSIdentifiers: Ticker | Not specified |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | Streaming |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKey |
Import methods | CSV | CSVManual |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing)Bridge (model trading integration)RiverFront (model marketplace/partnership) | Not specified |
Export formats | ExcelCSVPDF | CSV |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and SizeFactor exposureRebalancingPortfolio factor exposure | Not specified |
Vendor & support | ETF Action, Inc.Country: USFounded 2018Support: Email | Kpler (MarineTraffic)Support: Email |
Curation ratings | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
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 | Free“Free / Basic” | Free |
| Entry paid plan | $29/mo“DIY” | Subscription“Basic” |
| Tier 2 | $99/mo“Advisor Pro” | Subscription“Essential” |
| Tier 3 | $199/mo“Model Builder” | Subscription“Enterprise” |
| Top plan | Subscription“Enterprise” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between ETF Action and MarineTraffic?
ETF Action leans toward ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap, while MarineTraffic puts more weight on data visualizations, APIs & data feeds, and shipping & trade. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do ETF Action and MarineTraffic cost?
Good news: both ETF Action and MarineTraffic have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use ETF Action or MarineTraffic on my phone?
MarineTraffic lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. ETF Action doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web and API.
Do ETF Action and MarineTraffic have APIs?
Yes, both offer API access, so developers and quants can pull data programmatically or wire up their own integrations.
Should I choose ETF Action or MarineTraffic?
It depends on what you're after. Pick ETF Action if ETF analysis and ETF factors matter to you; go with MarineTraffic if you'd rather have shipping & trade. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do ETF Action and MarineTraffic cover?
ETF Action covers ETFs and stocks. MarineTraffic covers other.
Do ETF Action and MarineTraffic offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Can I export data from ETF Action and MarineTraffic?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: ETF Action or MarineTraffic?
ETF Action has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; MarineTraffic doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with ETF Action or MarineTraffic?
ETF Action handles portfolio tracking. MarineTraffic is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Keep researching
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
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.