VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
ETF Action vs Scalable Capital
Pick ETF Action if
ETF Action
Free • From $29/mo · Web · API
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
Pick Scalable Capital if
Scalable Capital
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want brokerage, wealth management, and downloadable tax reports.
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 Scalable Capital cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, portfolio and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ETF Action simply does more: 13 categories to Scalable Capital's 5, including ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap. Scalable Capital counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
ETF Action
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Scalable Capital
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Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- ETF Action
- Broader coverage
- ETF Action13 vs 5 categories
- Mobile app
- Scalable Capital
- API access
- ETF Action
- Real-time data
- ETF Action
- Asset coverage
- Scalable CapitalAdds mutual funds and bonds
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 | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | Yes | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | Yes | No |
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 | 5 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +2 more | Timezone: Europe/Berlin |
Capabilities | 5 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and Size +3 more | — |
Security | — | Status page |
| Try it | Visit ETF Action | Visit Scalable Capital |
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and Scalable Capital each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What ETF Action and Scalable Capital 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 Scalable Capital does best
- Stock and ETF trading through supported European venues, with FREE and PRIME+ plans using different fee rules and order-size assumptions.
- Free savings plans, including small recurring investments where supported.
- PRIME+ offers flat broker pricing for eligible trades instead of a fee per order on the FREE plan.
- Supported stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, derivatives, and crypto ETPs from a web or mobile brokerage workflow.
- Scalable Wealth runs automated ETF-based portfolios, with management fees that step down at higher account sizes.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and Scalable Capital, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ETF Action and Scalable Capital, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | ETFsStocks | StocksETFsMutual FundsBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | Europe |
Coverage details | Exchanges: ARCX, XNAS, and BATSIdentifiers: Ticker | 6 countriesExchanges: XETR, XMUN, and European Investor ExchangeIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | CSV | Not specified |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing)Bridge (model trading integration)RiverFront (model marketplace/partnership) | Not specified |
Export formats | ExcelCSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status page |
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 | Scalable Capital GmbHCountry: GermanyFounded 2014Support: 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” | €4.99/mo“PRIME+ Broker” |
| Tier 2 | $99/mo“Advisor Pro” | — |
| Top plan | $199/mo“Model Builder” | — |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Enterprise” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between ETF Action and Scalable Capital?
ETF Action leans toward ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap, while Scalable Capital puts more weight on brokerage, wealth management, and portfolio. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is ETF Action or Scalable Capital free to use?
ETF Action has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. Scalable Capital is paid-only. If budget matters, start with ETF Action and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Can I use ETF Action or Scalable Capital on my phone?
Scalable Capital 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.
Does ETF Action or Scalable Capital have an API?
ETF Action has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Scalable Capital doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose ETF Action or Scalable Capital?
It depends on what you're after. Pick ETF Action if ETF analysis and ETF factors matter to you; go with Scalable Capital if you'd rather have brokerage and wealth management. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do ETF Action and Scalable Capital cover?
Both cover ETFs and stocks. Scalable Capital adds mutual funds and bonds on top.
Does ETF Action or Scalable Capital have real-time data?
ETF Action offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Scalable Capital 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 Scalable Capital?
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 Scalable Capital?
ETF Action has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Scalable Capital doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with ETF Action or Scalable Capital?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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.