BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON

Checking

Checked September 24, 2026

Tool Comparison

ETF Insider vs Total Real Returns

ETF Insider

TestedMost versatile pick
Review & pricing
Paid from
$14/mo
Free plan
Yes
Platforms
Web, API

Best if

  • You want an API so you can script or automate things
  • You want ETF screeners, factor exposure, and portfolio.
  • You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Paid from
—
Free plan
Yes
Platforms
Web

Best if

    Most versatile pick

    Start here

    ETF Insider logo

    ETF Insider

    etfinsider.coTested

    Free • From $14/mo · Web · API

    • You want an API so you can script or automate things
    • You want ETF screeners, factor exposure, and portfolio.
    • You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth

    Pick Total Real Returns instead if

    Total Real Returns logo

    Total Real Returns

    totalrealreturns.com

    Free · Web

    • Go this way if it's completely free.

    Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.

    See alternatives

    Other tools you might like

    Outbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.

    Not set on either one? See the top 50 tools, ranked by user votes, or the deals page for big discounts on popular tools.

    Our take

    The bottom line

    ETF Insider and Total Real Returns cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, data visualizations and risk metrics), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ETF Insider simply does more: 10 categories to Total Real Returns's 2, including ETF screeners, factor exposure, and portfolio. Total Real Returns counters by being completely free.

    What readers say

    ETF Insider

    No votes yet. Cast the first one.

    Total Real Returns

    No votes yet. Cast the first one.

    Key differences at a glance

    Asset coverage
    Total Real ReturnsAdds bonds and currencies
    Broader coverage
    ETF Insider10 vs 2 categories
    API access
    ETF Insider
    Free plan
    Both
    See the full side-by-side table
    ETF Insider logo

    What ETF Insider does best

    1. Inspect ETF, mutual-fund, and stock portfolios through a network view of underlying holdings.
    2. Analysis of ETF overlap, fund overlap, sector concentration, geography exposure, market-cap exposure, and single-name concentration risk.
    3. Portfolio tabs for performance, diversification, asset correlations, beta, fund overlap, and holdings breakdown.
    4. Screening for ETFs and mutual funds by asset class, geography, theme, provider, sector, performance, and related fund information.
    5. Compare portfolio risk and efficiency with standard deviation, beta, diversification labels, Sharpe ratios, and efficient-frontier charts.
    Total Real Returns logo

    What Total Real Returns does best

    1. Chart CPI-U inflation-adjusted total real returns with dividends reinvested for supported tickers.
    2. Toggle between real purchasing-power dollars and nominal total-return dollars.
    3. Comparison tools for multiple symbols on one chart with comma-separated ticker entry.
    4. Custom date ranges and normalization modes such as Start=1, End=1, IPO=1, and Off.
    5. Review total return, annualized and exponential trendline rates, R-squared, and growth of $10,000.

    Side by side

    Pricing & plans
    Starting price
    Free • From $14/mo
    Free
    Free tier
    Yes
    Yes
    Free trial
    —
    —
    Platforms & access
    Web app
    Yes
    Yes
    Mobile app
    No
    No
    API access
    Yes
    No
    Broker sync
    No
    —
    Coverage & data
    Asset types
    ETFsMutual FundsStocks
    StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsCurrencies
    Target audience
    Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsLong-term InvestorsIndex/Passive Investors
    Not specified
    Data freshness
    Not specified
    End of Day
    Data granularity
    Not specified
    EOD
    Export formats
    ImagePDFExcel
    Not specified

    Pricing comparison

    Free plan
    Free
    Free“Public website”
    Entry paid plan
    $14/mo“Pro”
    —
    Custom / enterprise
    Contact sales“Enterprise”
    —

    See for yourself

    Side by side

    Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.
    Show
    Side-by-side comparison of ETF Insider and Total Real Returns
    Attribute
    ETF Insider logo
    ETF Insider
    Total Real Returns logo
    Total Real Returns
    Pricing & plans
    Starting price
    Free • From $14/moFree
    Free tier
    YesYes
    Free trial
    ——
    Plan limits
    5 limits: Free: saved portfolios: 4, Free: holdings depth: Limited full holdings data +3 more—
    Platforms & access
    Web app
    YesYes
    Mobile app
    NoNo
    API access
    YesNo
    Broker sync
    No—
    Audience & fit
    Experience level
    Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedBeginner, Intermediate
    Best for
    Retail Traders, Pro Retail +3 more—
    Categories covered
    102
    Regions
    North America—
    Data & capabilities
    Data quality
    —3 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +1 more
    Data partners
    SEC EDGAR and Issuer Websites—
    Capabilities
    3 signals: Factor exposure, Portfolio factor exposure +1 more—
    Security
    —Status page
    Try itVisit ETF InsiderVisit Total Real Returns

    Standout features

    The best features of ETF Insider and Total Real Returns.
    Show
    ETF Insider logo

    What ETF Insider does best

    1. Inspect ETF, mutual-fund, and stock portfolios through a network view of underlying holdings.
    2. Analysis of ETF overlap, fund overlap, sector concentration, geography exposure, market-cap exposure, and single-name concentration risk.
    3. Portfolio tabs for performance, diversification, asset correlations, beta, fund overlap, and holdings breakdown.
    4. Screening for ETFs and mutual funds by asset class, geography, theme, provider, sector, performance, and related fund information.
    5. Compare portfolio risk and efficiency with standard deviation, beta, diversification labels, Sharpe ratios, and efficient-frontier charts.
    Total Real Returns logo

    What Total Real Returns does best

    1. Chart CPI-U inflation-adjusted total real returns with dividends reinvested for supported tickers.
    2. Toggle between real purchasing-power dollars and nominal total-return dollars.
    3. Comparison tools for multiple symbols on one chart with comma-separated ticker entry.
    4. Custom date ranges and normalization modes such as Start=1, End=1, IPO=1, and Off.
    5. Review total return, annualized and exponential trendline rates, R-squared, and growth of $10,000.

    All details

    Every attribute we track for ETF Insider and Total Real Returns.
    Show
    Attribute
    ETF Insider logo
    ETF Insider
    Total Real Returns logo
    Total Real Returns
    Coverage & fit
    Asset types
    ETFsMutual FundsStocks
    StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsCurrencies
    Experience
    BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
    BeginnerIntermediate
    Target audience
    Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsLong-term InvestorsIndex/Passive Investors
    Not specified
    Regions
    North America
    Not specified
    Coverage details
    Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker
    Identifiers: Ticker
    Data
    Data freshness
    Not specified
    End of Day
    Data granularity
    Not specified
    EOD
    Data partners
    SEC EDGARIssuer Websites
    Not specified
    Access & integrations
    Import methods
    CSVManual
    Not specified
    Export formats
    ImagePDFExcel
    Not specified
    Plans & trust
    Security & compliance
    Not specified
    Status page
    Capability signals
    Factor exposurePortfolio factor exposureCorrelation
    Not specified
    Vendor & support
    ETF InsiderCountry: IsraelFounded 2022Support: Email
    Not specified

    Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.

    Pricing

    Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.
    Show
    Plan-by-plan pricing comparison of ETF Insider and Total Real Returns
    Tier
    ETF Insider logo
    ETF Insider
    Total Real Returns logo
    Total Real ReturnsCheaper start
    Free plan
    Freesaved portfolios: 4 · holdings depth: Limited full holdings data
    Free“Public website”
    Entry paid plan
    $14/mo“Pro”saved portfolios: Unlimited · holdings depth: Unlimited full holdings data · +1 more
    —
    Custom / enterprise
    Contact sales“Enterprise”
    —

    Questions we keep getting

    What's the difference between ETF Insider and Total Real Returns?

    ETF Insider leans toward ETF screeners, data visualizations, and factor exposure, while Total Real Returns puts more weight on data visualizations and risk metrics. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.

    How much do ETF Insider and Total Real Returns cost?

    Good news: both ETF Insider and Total Real Returns have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.

    Which is better for beginners: ETF Insider or Total Real Returns?

    Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.

    Does ETF Insider or Total Real Returns have an API?

    ETF Insider has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Total Real Returns doesn't, so you're working through its interface.

    Should I choose ETF Insider or Total Real Returns?

    It depends on what you're after. Pick ETF Insider if ETF screeners and factor exposure matter to you; go with Total Real Returns if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.

    What asset classes do ETF Insider and Total Real Returns cover?

    Both cover ETFs, mutual funds, and stocks. Total Real Returns adds bonds and currencies on top.

    Can I export data from ETF Insider and Total Real Returns?

    ETF Insider exports to Excel. Total Real Returns is stingier about getting data out.

    Which has a better stock screener: ETF Insider or Total Real Returns?

    ETF Insider has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Total Real Returns doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.

    Can I track my portfolio with ETF Insider or Total Real Returns?

    ETF Insider handles portfolio tracking. Total Real Returns is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.

    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.