★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
ETF Action vs Semrush
Start here
ETF Action
Best for ETF analysis and ETF factors
Free • From $29/mo · Web · API
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $29/mo instead of $139.95/mo
- You care about ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap, things Semrush doesn't offer
Pick Semrush instead if
Semrush
Best for app & website traffic and sheets / excel add-ins
Free • From $139.95/mo · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about app & website traffic and sheets / excel add-ins, 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.
The verdict
The bottom line
ETF Action and Semrush cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, APIs & data feeds and blogs), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ETF Action simply does more: 13 categories to Semrush's 4, including ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap. Semrush counters by keeping things simpler.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- Semrush
- Cheaper paid plan
- ETF Action$29/mo vs $139.95/mo
- Broader coverage
- ETF Action13 vs 4 categories
- Real-time data
- ETF Action
- Free plan
- Both
Comparison snapshot
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free • From $29/mo | Free • From $139.95/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | 14 days | 7 days |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | No | — |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing), Bridge (model trading integration) +1 more | Google Analytics, Google Search Console +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 | — |
Capabilities | 5 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and Size +3 more | — |
Security | — | Data residency: US and SSO: SAML |
| Try it | Visit ETF Action | Visit Semrush |
Standout features
What ETF Action does best
- Research ETFs through global category channels covering size and style, regions, countries, sectors, industries, themes, fixed income, non-traditional assets, commodities, and crypto.
- Use look-through holdings analytics to inspect factor, style, sector, industry, country, and concentration exposure inside funds and models.
- Compare ETF overlap across individual funds or full model portfolios to understand hidden duplication and concentration risk.
- Monitor ETF flows, trading volumes, ADV, daily refreshes, and T+1 flow timing from the platform dashboards.
- Use screeners, watchlists, fund dashboards, Excel or CSV exports, and live indicative FMV quote context where plan limits allow.
What Semrush does best
- Analyze website traffic, visitor sources, engagement, keywords, competitors, backlinks, SEO performance, paid search, and market benchmarks.
- Use Semrush One and AI visibility products to monitor brand and content visibility across AI search and classic SEO workflows.
- Use the Standard API for eligible SEO Toolkit Business users, with separately purchased API units and request or line-based consumption.
- Use separate API paths for Trends, Listing Management, and Map Rank Tracker, noting that local APIs and map rank APIs have their own access and billing rules.
- Export data and reports through CSV, Excel, PDF, JSON, Google Sheets, Position Tracking, Site Audit, and App Center connector workflows.
Data & access details
| 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 | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKey and OAuth2 |
Import methods | CSV | Not specified |
Integrations | Polygon.io (pricing)Bridge (model trading integration)RiverFront (model marketplace/partnership) | Google AnalyticsGoogle Search ConsoleGoogle Sheets |
Export formats | ExcelCSVPDF | CSVExcelPDFJSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Data residency: USSSO: SAML |
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 | Semrush Inc.Country: United StatesSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing breakdown
$29/mo
Lower starting price
Plans & pricing
$139.95/mo
Starting price
Plans & pricing
Coverage overlap
Shared categories
2Where the two tools cover the same ground.
ETF Action strengths
11What you only get with ETF Action.
Semrush strengths
2What you only get with Semrush.
Community category leaders
Vote sentiment comparison
Loading sentiment chart...
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ETF Action and Semrush?
ETF Action leans toward ETF analysis, ETF factors, and ETF overlap, while Semrush puts more weight on app & website traffic, APIs & data feeds, and sheets / excel add-ins. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do ETF Action and Semrush cost?
Good news: both ETF Action and Semrush 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 Semrush on my phone?
Semrush 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 Semrush 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 Semrush?
It depends on what you're after. Pick ETF Action if ETF analysis and ETF factors matter to you; go with Semrush if you'd rather have app & website traffic and sheets / excel add-ins. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do ETF Action and Semrush cover?
ETF Action covers ETFs and stocks. Semrush covers other.
Does ETF Action or Semrush have real-time data?
ETF Action offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Semrush 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 Semrush?
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 Semrush?
ETF Action has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Semrush doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with ETF Action or Semrush?
ETF Action handles portfolio tracking. Semrush is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Other tools you might like
These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.
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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.