★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
ETF Action vs Orion Advisor Tech
Pick ETF Action if
ETF Action
Free • From $29/mo · Web · API
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $29/mo instead of $275/mo
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
Pick Orion Advisor Tech if
Orion Advisor Tech
From $275/mo · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about advisor operations, risk metrics, and scenario & stress tests, things 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 Orion Advisor Tech cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, APIs & data feeds, blogs, and videos), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. The real difference is focus: only ETF Action gives you ETF analysis and ETF factors, and only Orion Advisor Tech gives you advisor operations and risk metrics.
What readers say
ETF Action
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Orion Advisor Tech
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Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- ETF Action
- Cheaper paid plan
- ETF Action$29/mo vs $275/mo
- Mobile app
- Orion Advisor Tech
- Real-time data
- ETF Action
- Broker sync
- Orion Advisor Tech
- Global coverage
- ETF Action
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 | From $275/mo |
Free tier | Yes | No |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | Risk Intelligence Standalone: pricing model: Per user, per month |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | No | Yes |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing), Bridge (model trading integration) +1 more | Redtail CRM, Salesforce +6 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Financial Advisors, RIAs / Wealth Firms +3 more |
Categories covered | 13 | 13 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +2 more | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more |
Data partners | — | Morningstar and ICE Data Services |
Capabilities | 5 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and Size +3 more | 23 signals: Stress tests: Rates, FX, EquityCrash, and Commodities, Monte Carlo +21 more |
Security | — | 6 signals: SOC2, ISO27001 +4 more |
| Try it | Visit ETF Action | Visit Orion Advisor Tech |
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and Orion Advisor Tech each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and Orion Advisor Tech 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 Orion Advisor Tech does best
- Tools for running advisor operations through Orion portfolio accounting, billing, configurable reporting, trading, client portal, advisor portal, Redtail CRM, planning, compliance, and risk modules.
- Orion Stacks to bundle capabilities such as Foundation, Essentials, and Advantage, with public annual starting prices.
- Eclipse trading for household-level rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, asset location, cash monitoring, sleeves, block trading, and multi-custodian trade connectivity.
- Orion Risk Intelligence for 100+ macro stress-test scenarios, portfolio construction, risk dashboards, proposal workflows, IPS support, asset drift, and firm-level risk views.
- Connections for planning workflows through Orion Planning with goals-based and cash-flow planning, Monte Carlo simulations, and portfolio-linked reporting.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and Orion Advisor Tech, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and Orion Advisor Tech, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | ETFsStocks | StocksETFsMutual FundsClosed-End FundsBondsOptionsFundsOther |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | IntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Financial AdvisorsRIAs / Wealth FirmsFamily OfficesAsset ManagersInstitutional Investors |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North America |
Coverage details | Exchanges: ARCX, XNAS, and BATSIdentifiers: Ticker | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | End of Day |
Data granularity | EOD | EOD |
Pricing sources | Not specified | Vendor |
Data partners | Not specified | MorningstarICE Data Services |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKeyWebhooksDocs |
Import methods | CSV | CSVCustodianManual |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing)Bridge (model trading integration)RiverFront (model marketplace/partnership) | Redtail CRMSalesforceMoneyGuideProeMoneyNitrogenFidelitySchwabPershing |
Export formats | ExcelCSVPDF | ExcelPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | SOC2ISO27001Data residency: USStatus pageEncryption at restEncryption in transit |
Capability signals | Universe builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and SizeFactor exposureRebalancingPortfolio factor exposure | Stress tests: Rates, FX, EquityCrash, and CommoditiesMonte CarloBroker syncTax lotsRebalancingHouseholdingAlternatives supportDrift monitoring+15 more |
Vendor & support | ETF Action, Inc.Country: USFounded 2018Support: Email | Orion Advisor Solutions, Inc.Country: USFounded 1999 |
Curation ratings | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Not specified |
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” | — |
| Entry paid plan | $29/mo“DIY” | $275/mo“Risk Intelligence Standalone”pricing model: Per user, per month |
| Tier 2 | $99/mo“Advisor Pro” | $13000/yr≈ $1083.33/mo“Orion Foundation Stack” |
| Tier 3 | $199/mo“Model Builder” | $18000/yr≈ $1500/mo“Orion Essentials Stack” |
| Top plan | Subscription“Enterprise” | $28000/yr≈ $2333.33/mo“Orion Advantage Stack” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between ETF Action and Orion Advisor Tech?
ETF Action leans toward ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap, while Orion Advisor Tech puts more weight on advisor operations, risk metrics, and scenario & stress tests. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech free to use?
ETF Action has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. Orion Advisor Tech is paid-only. If budget matters, start with ETF Action and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Which is better for beginners: ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech?
ETF Action 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 ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech on my phone?
Orion Advisor Tech 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 Orion Advisor Tech 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 Orion Advisor Tech?
It depends on what you're after. Pick ETF Action if ETF analysis and ETF factors matter to you; go with Orion Advisor Tech if you'd rather have advisor operations and risk metrics. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do ETF Action and Orion Advisor Tech cover?
Both cover ETFs and stocks. Orion Advisor Tech adds mutual funds, closed-end funds, and bonds on top.
Does ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech have real-time data?
ETF Action offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Orion Advisor Tech 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.
Which covers international markets: ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech?
ETF Action has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Orion Advisor Tech is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from ETF Action and Orion Advisor Tech?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (Excel), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech connect to my broker?
Orion Advisor Tech syncs with brokers automatically. With ETF Action, you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech?
ETF Action has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Orion Advisor Tech doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with ETF Action or Orion Advisor Tech?
ETF Action handles portfolio tracking. Orion Advisor Tech is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Keep researching
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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.