European Central Bank (ECB) adds Data APIs, Calendar, News, Central Bank Watcher, and Yield Curves coverage that MarketXLS skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Head-to-head
European Central Bank (ECB) vs MarketXLS comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
MarketXLS includes Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors, Screeners, Options & Derivatives, Options, Options P&L, Monte Carlo, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Portfolio, Watchlist, Correlation, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, ETF Fundamentals, Which ETF includes this Stock?, and Blogs categories that European Central Bank (ECB) omits.
European Central Bank (ECB) highlights: Public SDMX 2.1 REST API with access to the ECB Data Portal (data-api.ecb.europa.eu). Existing SDW endpoints continue to work with unchanged syntax., Flexible format support including SDMX-ML, SDMX-JSON, CSV, and pivot-table-optimized CSV. Supports HTTP compression for efficient transfers., and Excel integration via Power Query using CSV endpoints or the application/vnd.ecb.data+csv MIME type..
MarketXLS is known for: Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users., Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year., and Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter..
European Central Bank (ECB) has a free tier, while MarketXLS requires a paid plan.
European Central Bank (ECB)
ecb.europa.eu
The official portal of the European Central Bank, including its Data Portal. Provides free access to monetary policy information, publications, and structured datasets. Data is available through a public SDMX 2.1 REST API with CSV and SDMX-JSON formats, bulk downloads, and chart-level exports. Key scheduled releases include €STR at 08:00 CET, FX reference rates around 16:00 CET, and daily euro area yield curves at 12:00 CET.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Public SDMX 2.1 REST API with access to the ECB Data Portal (data-api.ecb.europa.eu). Existing SDW endpoints continue to work with unchanged syntax.
- Flexible format support including SDMX-ML, SDMX-JSON, CSV, and pivot-table-optimized CSV. Supports HTTP compression for efficient transfers.
- Excel integration via Power Query using CSV endpoints or the application/vnd.ecb.data+csv MIME type.
- Bulk dataset downloads available directly from dataset pages, including CSV and SDMX 2.1 exports.
- €STR (Euro Short-Term Rate) published daily at 08:00 CET, with revisions at 09:00 CET if errors exceed 2 basis points.
Community votes (overall)
MarketXLS
marketxls.com
Excel‑first market data & analytics add‑in with 1,000+ functions. Default data is 15‑min delayed (QuoteMedia); real‑time streams and intraday history available with data add‑ons. Web screener, ETF database/overlap tools, options chains & Greeks, and portfolio templates (incl. Efficient Frontier). Direct order‑ticket functions for Thinkorswim, Tradier, Orion, plus IBKR integration via TWS API. No public data API for redistribution; personal use license.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users.
- Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year.
- Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter.
- Portfolio & research templates: Efficient Frontier, correlation/volatility/drawdowns, fundamentals and historical statements via hf_* functions.
- Web screener with hundreds of metrics; stock ranks (Value/Quality/Technical); spreadsheet builder to generate ready‑made workbooks.
Community votes (overall)
Shared focus areas
4 overlapsMutual strengths include Interest Rates, Inflation Rates, and GDP plus 1 more area.
Where they differ
European Central Bank (ECB)
Distinct strengths include:
- Public SDMX 2.1 REST API with access to the ECB Data Portal (data-api.ecb.europa.eu). Existing SDW endpoints continue to work with unchanged syntax.
- Flexible format support including SDMX-ML, SDMX-JSON, CSV, and pivot-table-optimized CSV. Supports HTTP compression for efficient transfers.
- Excel integration via Power Query using CSV endpoints or the application/vnd.ecb.data+csv MIME type.
- Bulk dataset downloads available directly from dataset pages, including CSV and SDMX 2.1 exports.
MarketXLS
Distinct strengths include:
- Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users.
- Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year.
- Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter.
- Portfolio & research templates: Efficient Frontier, correlation/volatility/drawdowns, fundamentals and historical statements via hf_* functions.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
Attribute | European Central Bank (ECB) | MarketXLS |
---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Interest Rates, Inflation Rates, GDP, Unemployment Rates Unique: Data APIs, Calendar, News, Central Bank Watcher, Yield Curves | Shared: Interest Rates, Inflation Rates, GDP, Unemployment Rates Unique: Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors, Screeners, Options & Derivatives, Options, Options P&L, Monte Carlo, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Portfolio, Watchlist, Correlation, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, ETF Fundamentals, Which ETF includes this Stock?, Blogs |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Bonds, Currencies, Other | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Currencies, Futures, Cryptos |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, API | Desktop, Web |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free | Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do European Central Bank (ECB) and MarketXLS both support?
Both platforms cover Interest Rates, Inflation Rates, GDP, and Unemployment Rates workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Which tool offers a free plan?
European Central Bank (ECB) offers a free entry point, while MarketXLS requires a paid subscription. Review the pricing table to see how the paid tiers compare.
How can you access European Central Bank (ECB) and MarketXLS?
Both European Central Bank (ECB) and MarketXLS prioritize web or desktop access. Investors wanting a mobile-first workflow may need to rely on responsive web views.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
European Central Bank (ECB) differentiates itself with Public SDMX 2.1 REST API with access to the ECB Data Portal (data-api.ecb.europa.eu). Existing SDW endpoints continue to work with unchanged syntax., Flexible format support including SDMX-ML, SDMX-JSON, CSV, and pivot-table-optimized CSV. Supports HTTP compression for efficient transfers., and Excel integration via Power Query using CSV endpoints or the application/vnd.ecb.data+csv MIME type., whereas MarketXLS stands out for Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users., Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year., and Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter..
Keep exploring
Stay on top of related tools
Browse the categories and profiles that overlap most with this comparison to round out your shortlist.
Related categories
Follow the same themes these tools compete in.
Recommended tools
These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.
- YChartsHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Portfolio, and Watchlist.
ScreenersPortfolioWatchlist - GuruFocusEditor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Portfolio, and News.
ScreenersPortfolioNews - Seeking AlphaEditor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Portfolio, and Watchlist.
ScreenersPortfolioWatchlist - OpenBB
Overlap: Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Data APIs, and News.
Sheets / Excel Add-insData APIsNews - Financial Modeling Prep (FMP)Editor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Data APIs, Financials, and ETF Holdings.
Data APIsFinancialsETF Holdings - Stock RoverEditor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Correlation, and Monte Carlo.
ScreenersCorrelationMonte Carlo
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.