VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
ETF Action vs Portfolio Visualizer
Pick ETF Action if
ETF Action
Free • From $29/mo · Web · API
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $29/mo instead of $30/mo
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
Pick Portfolio Visualizer if
Portfolio Visualizer
Free • From $360/yr · Web
- You want monte carlo, correlation, and risk metrics.
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 Portfolio Visualizer cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, ETF screeners, data visualizations, and backtesting), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ETF Action simply does more: 13 categories to Portfolio Visualizer's 10, including ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap. Portfolio Visualizer counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
ETF Action
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Portfolio Visualizer
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Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- ETF Action$29/mo vs $30/mo
- Free trial
- Portfolio Visualizer14 days
- Broader coverage
- ETF Action13 vs 10 categories
- API access
- ETF Action
- Real-time data
- ETF Action
- Asset coverage
- Portfolio VisualizerAdds mutual funds and funds
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 • From $360/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | 14 days |
Plan limits | — | 6 limits: Free: max assets per portfolio: 15, Free: history: Limited history; pricing snippet says the free tier excludes current-... +4 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | Yes | No |
Broker sync | 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 | 10 |
Regions | 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 | — |
Capabilities | 5 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and Size +3 more | 7 signals: Universe builder, Factor exposure +5 more |
| Try it | Visit ETF Action | Visit Portfolio Visualizer |
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer each do best.What ETF Action does best
- Research ETFs by size and style, region, country, sector, industry, theme, 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.
- Monitor ETF flows, trading volume, average daily volume, and daily data updates from platform dashboards.
- Screeners, watchlists, fund dashboards, Excel or CSV exports, and live indicative FMV quote context where plan limits allow.
What Portfolio Visualizer does best
- Backtest portfolios built from mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and asset-class allocations.
- Tools for running Monte Carlo simulations to test long-term portfolio growth, withdrawal sustainability, and portfolio survival scenarios.
- Testing tools for tactical asset-allocation models based on moving averages, momentum, market valuation, and target volatility.
- Optimization tools such as Efficient Frontier, Portfolio Optimization, Black-Litterman Model, and Rolling Optimization.
- Analysis of factor exposure with Factor Regression, Risk Factor Allocation, Fund and ETF Factor Regressions, and Factor Performance Attribution.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | ETFsStocks | StocksETFsMutual FundsFunds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | Not specified |
Coverage details | Exchanges: ARCX, XNAS, and BATSIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | CSV | CSVManual |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing)Bridge (model trading integration)RiverFront (model marketplace/partnership) | Not specified |
Export formats | ExcelCSVPDF | ExcelCSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and SizeFactor exposureRebalancingPortfolio factor exposure | Universe builderFactor exposureVaR/ESPerformance attributionMonte CarloPortfolio factor exposureCorrelation |
Vendor & support | ETF Action, Inc.Country: USFounded 2018Support: Email | SRL Global Ltd.Country: United Kingdom |
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” | Freemax assets per portfolio: 15 · history: Limited history; pricing snippet says the free tier excludes current-... |
| Entry paid plan | $29/mo“DIY” | $360/yr≈ $30/mo“Basic”max assets per portfolio: 150 · billing notes: Pricing shown as $/month but billed annually. |
| Tier 2 | $99/mo“Advisor Pro” | $660/yr≈ $55/mo“Pro”max assets per portfolio: 150 · billing notes: Pricing shown as $/month but billed annually. |
| Top plan | $199/mo“Model Builder” | — |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Enterprise” | — |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer?
ETF Action leans toward ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap, while Portfolio Visualizer puts more weight on backtesting, monte carlo, and correlation. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer cost?
Good news: both ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Does ETF Action or Portfolio Visualizer have an API?
ETF Action has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Portfolio Visualizer doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose ETF Action or Portfolio Visualizer?
It depends on what you're after. Pick ETF Action if ETF analysis and ETF factors matter to you; go with Portfolio Visualizer if you'd rather have monte carlo and correlation. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer cover?
Both cover ETFs and stocks. Portfolio Visualizer adds mutual funds and funds on top.
Does ETF Action or Portfolio Visualizer have real-time data?
ETF Action offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Portfolio Visualizer 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 ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (Excel and CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: ETF Action or Portfolio Visualizer?
Both ETF Action and Portfolio Visualizer include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
Can I track my portfolio with ETF Action or Portfolio Visualizer?
ETF Action handles portfolio tracking. Portfolio Visualizer 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.