BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON

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Checked September 24, 2026

Tool Comparison

FactorsToday vs Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)

FactorsToday

Most versatile pick
Review & pricing
Paid from
—
Free plan
Yes
Platforms
Web, API

Best if

  • Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
  • You want an API so you can script or automate things
  • You want screeners, stock comparison, and performance attribution.
Paid from
—
Free plan
Yes
Platforms
Web, Other

Best if

    Most versatile pick

    Start here

    FactorsToday logo

    FactorsToday

    factorstoday.com

    Free · Web · API

    • Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
    • You want an API so you can script or automate things
    • You want screeners, stock comparison, and performance attribution.

    Pick Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) instead if

    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) logo

    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)

    jkpfactors.com

    Free · Web · Other

    • Go this way if it's completely free.

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

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    Our take

    The bottom line

    FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including quant, data visualizations, and factor exposure), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. FactorsToday simply does more: 13 categories to Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)'s 4, including screeners, stock comparison, and performance attribution. Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) counters by being completely free.

    What readers say

    FactorsToday

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    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)

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    Key differences at a glance

    Real-time data
    FactorsToday
    Broader coverage
    FactorsToday13 vs 4 categories
    API access
    FactorsToday
    Asset coverage
    FactorsTodayAdds ETFs and mutual funds
    Free plan
    Both
    See the full side-by-side table
    FactorsToday logo

    What FactorsToday does best

    1. Factor dashboards report intraday and multi-period returns, z-scores, pair relationships, correlations, seasonality, and valuations.
    2. Stock pages use ElasticNet regression with cross-validation to estimate exposures across four nested models.
    3. Portfolio analysis accepts holdings, compares exposures with a benchmark, and applies user-defined factor-return scenarios.
    4. Performance attribution applies rolling ordinary-least-squares regressions to uploaded or pasted returns and exports results to Excel.
    5. The factor builder searches for stocks matching target exposures and displays simulated historical results.
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) logo

    What Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) does best

    1. The download tool covers 153 factor portfolios in 13 themes, 93 countries, and four regions.
    2. Factor returns are excess returns in US dollars with daily or monthly frequency and multiple weighting methods where available.
    3. Downloads also include low, middle, and high sorted portfolios, GICS and Fama-French industry returns, breakpoints, cutoffs, and factor mappings.
    4. Analysis pages compare annualized return, volatility, Sharpe ratio, information ratio, alpha, beta, and cumulative performance.
    5. Monthly stock-level characteristics are distributed through WRDS and require an eligible institutional subscription.

    Side by side

    Pricing & plans
    Starting price
    Free
    Free
    Free tier
    Yes
    Yes
    Free trial
    —
    —
    Platforms & access
    Web app
    Yes
    Yes
    Mobile app
    No
    No
    API access
    Yes
    No
    Broker sync
    No
    —
    Integrations
    —
    WRDS and GitHub
    Coverage & data
    Asset types
    StocksETFsMutual FundsClosed-End Funds
    Stocks
    Target audience
    AnalystsQuants/Developers
    Quants/DevelopersAnalystsStudents/Researchers
    Data freshness
    Real-timeEnd of Day
    Not specified
    Data granularity
    EODMinute
    EOD
    Export formats
    CSVExcelJSON
    Not specified

    Pricing comparison

    Free plan
    Free“Current public access”
    Free“Free (non-commercial license)”

    See for yourself

    Side by side

    Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.
    Show
    Side-by-side comparison of FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
    Attribute
    FactorsToday logo
    FactorsToday
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) logo
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
    Pricing & plans
    Starting price
    FreeFree
    Free tier
    YesYes
    Free trial
    ——
    Plan limits
    Current public access: api: 10 requests/second/IP and Current public access: access policy: No long-term free-access commitment publishedFree (non-commercial license): license: CC BY-NC 4.0; commercial use requires separate permission.
    Platforms & access
    Web app
    YesYes
    Mobile app
    NoNo
    API access
    YesNo
    Broker sync
    No—
    Integrations
    —WRDS and GitHub
    Audience & fit
    Experience level
    Intermediate, AdvancedAdvanced
    Best for
    Analysts and Quants/DevelopersQuants/Developers, Analysts +1 more
    Categories covered
    134
    Regions
    —North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa
    Data & capabilities
    Data quality
    3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD and Minute +1 moreGranularity: EOD
    Data partners
    —3 partners: WRDS, CRSP +1 more
    Capabilities
    7 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and Size +5 more—
    Try itVisit FactorsTodayVisit Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)

    Standout features

    The best features of FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors).
    Show
    FactorsToday logo

    What FactorsToday does best

    1. Factor dashboards report intraday and multi-period returns, z-scores, pair relationships, correlations, seasonality, and valuations.
    2. Stock pages use ElasticNet regression with cross-validation to estimate exposures across four nested models.
    3. Portfolio analysis accepts holdings, compares exposures with a benchmark, and applies user-defined factor-return scenarios.
    4. Performance attribution applies rolling ordinary-least-squares regressions to uploaded or pasted returns and exports results to Excel.
    5. The factor builder searches for stocks matching target exposures and displays simulated historical results.
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) logo

    What Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) does best

    1. The download tool covers 153 factor portfolios in 13 themes, 93 countries, and four regions.
    2. Factor returns are excess returns in US dollars with daily or monthly frequency and multiple weighting methods where available.
    3. Downloads also include low, middle, and high sorted portfolios, GICS and Fama-French industry returns, breakpoints, cutoffs, and factor mappings.
    4. Analysis pages compare annualized return, volatility, Sharpe ratio, information ratio, alpha, beta, and cumulative performance.
    5. Monthly stock-level characteristics are distributed through WRDS and require an eligible institutional subscription.

    All details

    Every attribute we track for FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors).
    Show
    Attribute
    FactorsToday logo
    FactorsToday
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) logo
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
    Coverage & fit
    Asset types
    StocksETFsMutual FundsClosed-End Funds
    Stocks
    Experience
    IntermediateAdvanced
    Advanced
    Target audience
    AnalystsQuants/Developers
    Quants/DevelopersAnalystsStudents/Researchers
    Regions
    Not specified
    North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica
    Coverage details
    Identifiers: Ticker
    Not specified
    Data
    Data freshness
    Real-timeEnd of Day
    Not specified
    Data granularity
    EODMinute
    EOD
    Data partners
    Not specified
    WRDSCRSPCompustat
    Access & integrations
    API protocols
    REST
    Not specified
    API auth & delivery
    Auth: None600 req/minDocs
    Not specified
    Import methods
    CSVManual
    Not specified
    Integrations
    Not specified
    WRDSGitHub
    Export formats
    CSVExcelJSON
    Not specified
    Plans & trust
    Capability signals
    Universe builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and SizeFactor exposurePerformance attributionPortfolio attributionPortfolio factor exposureCorrelation
    Not specified
    Vendor & support
    FactorsToday (operated by Lukasz R. Tomicki)Country: USSupport: Email
    Global Factor Data (Jensen, Kelly, Pedersen)Support: Forum and Email

    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 FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
    Tier
    FactorsToday logo
    FactorsToday
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) logo
    Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
    Free plan
    Free“Current public access”api: 10 requests/second/IP · access policy: No long-term free-access commitment published
    Free“Free (non-commercial license)”license: CC BY-NC 4.0; commercial use requires separate permission.

    Questions we keep getting

    What's the difference between FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)?

    FactorsToday leans toward screeners, quant, and data visualizations, while Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) puts more weight on APIs & data feeds, quant, and data visualizations. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.

    How much do FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) cost?

    Good news: both FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.

    Does FactorsToday or Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) have an API?

    FactorsToday has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) doesn't, so you're working through its interface.

    Should I choose FactorsToday or Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)?

    It depends on what you're after. Pick FactorsToday if screeners and stock comparison matter to you; go with Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.

    What asset classes do FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) cover?

    Both cover stocks. FactorsToday also handles ETFs, mutual funds, and closed-end funds.

    Does FactorsToday or Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) have real-time data?

    FactorsToday offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) 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 FactorsToday and Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)?

    FactorsToday exports to CSV and Excel. Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) is stingier about getting data out.

    Which has a better stock screener: FactorsToday or Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)?

    FactorsToday has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.

    Can I track my portfolio with FactorsToday or Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)?

    FactorsToday handles portfolio tracking. Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.

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    Curation & Accuracy

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    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.