VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
Finbox vs Magic Formula Investing
Start here
Finbox
Free • From $120/yr · Web
- You want stock comparison, data visualizations, and watchlist.
Pick Magic Formula Investing instead if
Magic Formula Investing
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 alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
Finbox and Magic Formula Investing cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, stock ideas and screeners), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Finbox simply does more: 11 categories to Magic Formula Investing's 2, including stock comparison, data visualizations, and watchlist. Magic Formula Investing counters by being completely free.
What readers say
Finbox
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Magic Formula Investing
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Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- Finbox
- Broader coverage
- Finbox11 vs 2 categories
- Asset coverage
- FinboxAdds ETFs
- Free plan
- Both
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 $120/yr | Free |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | Data Boost add-on: pricing unit: per region per month | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | No |
Integrations | Microsoft Excel and Google Spreadsheets | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +3 more | — |
Categories covered | 11 | 2 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | Granularity: EOD | 3 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +1 more |
Data partners | S&P Global Market Intelligence | — |
Capabilities | Universe builder | — |
| Try it | Visit Finbox | Visit Magic Formula Investing |
Where each one shines
What Finbox and Magic Formula Investing each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Finbox and Magic Formula Investing each do best.What Finbox does best
- Screen more than 100,000 stocks on over 130 exchanges with more than 1,000 metrics, filters, saved screens, and watchlist imports.
- Review 10 years of normalized financials, valuation ratios, forecasts, metric definitions, and calculation examples.
- Inspect and edit valuation models, including discounted cash flow, comparable-company, and dividend discount models.
- Edit financial models online, review validation checks, share model links, and export models to Google Spreadsheets or Excel with formulas intact.
- Build watchlists with custom columns, bulk ticker imports, filters, and price targets.
What Magic Formula Investing does best
- The official Magic Formula screener with two inputs, minimum market cap and either 30 or 50 results.
- Screening for companies ranked on high earnings yield and high return on capital, with the accounting adjustments described by the official methodology.
- A narrow value and quality idea list for further research.
- Focus on U.S.-listed equities because the official universe excludes foreign companies and ADRs.
- Financial and utility companies are excluded from the official screen.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Finbox and Magic Formula Investing, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Finbox and Magic Formula Investing, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFs | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailAnalystsFinancial AdvisorsAsset Managers | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | End of Day |
Data granularity | EOD | EOD |
Data partners | S&P Global Market Intelligence | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Manual | Not specified |
Integrations | Microsoft ExcelGoogle Spreadsheets | Not specified |
Export formats | CSVExcel | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builder | Not specified |
Vendor & support | Support: Email | Not specified |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 3/5 |
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 |
| Entry paid plan | $120/yr≈ $10/mo“Starter” | — |
| Tier 2 | $300/yr≈ $25/mo“Starter Plus” | — |
| Top plan | $792/yr≈ $66/mo“Professional” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Finbox and Magic Formula Investing?
Finbox leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and stock comparison, while Magic Formula Investing puts more weight on screeners and stock ideas. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Finbox and Magic Formula Investing cost?
Good news: both Finbox and Magic Formula Investing have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Should I choose Finbox or Magic Formula Investing?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Finbox if stock comparison and data visualizations matter to you; go with Magic Formula Investing if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Finbox and Magic Formula Investing cover?
Both cover stocks. Finbox also handles ETFs.
Which covers international markets: Finbox or Magic Formula Investing?
Finbox has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Magic Formula Investing is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from Finbox and Magic Formula Investing?
Finbox exports to CSV and Excel. Magic Formula Investing is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: Finbox or Magic Formula Investing?
Both Finbox and Magic Formula Investing include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
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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.