VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
FlowAlgo vs GuruFocus
Pick FlowAlgo instead if
FlowAlgo
From $99/mo · Web
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want dark pool & off-exchange.
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $45.75/mo instead of $99/mo
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
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
FlowAlgo and GuruFocus cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, options and alerts), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 49 categories to FlowAlgo's 3, including stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, plus a mobile app. FlowAlgo counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
FlowAlgo
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GuruFocus
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Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- GuruFocus
- Cheaper paid plan
- GuruFocus$45.75/mo vs $99/mo
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus49 vs 3 categories
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- API access
- GuruFocus
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 | From $99/mo | Free • From $549/yr |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | 7 days |
Plan limits | 4 limits: Two-week intro offer: term: Two weeks, Two-week intro offer: renewal: $149/month. Auto-renews unless canceled. +2 more | 49 limits: Free: portfolio limit: Up to 3 portfolios with 25 stocks each for free members, Free: data api requests: 100/month included in the Free API package +47 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | No | Yes |
Integrations | — | GuruFocus Data API, GuruFocus MCP Server +3 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more |
Categories covered | 3 | 49 |
Regions | North America | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Streaming and Real-time, Granularity: Tick +2 more | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more |
Data partners | — | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more |
Capabilities | — | 9 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +7 more |
Security | — | Status page and Encryption in transit |
| Try it | Visit FlowAlgo | Visit GuruFocus |
Where each one shines
What FlowAlgo and GuruFocus each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What FlowAlgo and GuruFocus each do best.What FlowAlgo does best
- Monitor real-time options order flow, unusual activity, Intermarket Sweep Orders, and option block trades from a focused web dashboard.
- Review equity block and dark-pool data through the flow tape and Dark Pool Insights module.
- Latency differences: options flow streams near real time, while dark-pool prints and equity block data can be delayed by reporting and exchange rules.
- Alpha AI signals for idea generation during market hours; the vendor labels the feature beta and says it is not investment advice.
- Search across historical flow data back to mid-2017 to review prior days, tickers, date ranges, and recurring activity patterns.
What GuruFocus does best
- Research coverage for global stocks with long historical financials, valuation data, charts, comparisons, market valuation indicators, economic indicators, industry data, and company-level fundamentals.
- The All-in-One Screener with hundreds of filters across fundamentals, valuation, profitability, growth, dividends, guru holdings, insider trades, predefined value screens, custom filters, saved screens, and downloads.
- ETF Screener and ETF GF Scores for filtering and comparing more than 5,000 U.S.
- Corporate and government bond screening by yield, maturity, ratings, coupon structure, outstanding amount, issuer, and industry, plus company-level bond tabs.
- Backtest screener strategies across many countries with configurable stock count, ranking metric, sort order, date range, and rebalance frequency; current membership terms give Premium the latest five years and Premium Plus/Professional history back to 2006.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FlowAlgo and GuruFocus, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FlowAlgo and GuruFocus, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptions | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more |
Regions | North America | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | StreamingReal-time | End of Day |
Data granularity | Tick | EOD |
Pricing sources | Not specified | ExchangeVendorModel |
Data partners | Not specified | QuoteMediaMorningstarRefinitivFREDSEC / local regulators |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python and GoDocs |
Import methods | Not specified | CSVBrokerOAuthManual |
Integrations | Not specified | GuruFocus Data APIGuruFocus MCP ServerGuruFocus Excel Add-inGuruFocus Google Sheets Add-onSnapTrade |
Export formats | Not specified | CSVExcelJSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status pageEncryption in transit |
Capability signals | Not specified | Custom formulasRanking backtestsUniverse builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, and GrowthBroker syncMulti-currencyYield curvesCredit ratings+1 more |
Vendor & support | FlowAlgo LLCSupport: Chat | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum |
Curation ratings | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Not specified |
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 | — | Freeportfolio limit: Up to 3 portfolios with 25 stocks each for free members · data api requests: 100/month included in the Free API package · +1 more |
| Entry paid plan | $99/mo“Annual”billed: $1,188 every 12 months | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more |
| Tier 2 | $129/mo“Quarterly”billed: $387 every 3 months | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more |
| Tier 3 | $149/mo“Monthly” | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +12 more |
| Tier 4 | — | $2448/yr≈ $204/mo“Professional”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 2,000/month included with Professional membership |
| Tier 5 | — | $2000/mo“Data API Commercial”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +1 more |
| Top plan | — | $100 per unit“Data API Pay As You Go”initial top up: $100 credit · stock daily prices: $0.05/request · +16 more |
| Custom / enterprise | — | Contact sales“Custom API / Enterprise Package” |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between FlowAlgo and GuruFocus?
FlowAlgo leans toward options, dark pool & off-exchange, and alerts, while GuruFocus puts more weight on stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is FlowAlgo or GuruFocus free to use?
GuruFocus has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. FlowAlgo is paid-only. If budget matters, start with GuruFocus and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Can I use FlowAlgo or GuruFocus on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. FlowAlgo doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does FlowAlgo or GuruFocus have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. FlowAlgo doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose FlowAlgo or GuruFocus?
It depends on what you're after. Pick FlowAlgo if dark pool & off-exchange matter to you; go with GuruFocus if you'd rather have stock ideas and screeners. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do FlowAlgo and GuruFocus cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. GuruFocus adds bonds, mutual funds, and funds on top.
Does FlowAlgo or GuruFocus have real-time data?
FlowAlgo offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. GuruFocus 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.
Which covers international markets: FlowAlgo or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. FlowAlgo is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from FlowAlgo and GuruFocus?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. FlowAlgo is stingier about getting data out.
Can FlowAlgo or GuruFocus connect to my broker?
GuruFocus syncs with brokers automatically. With FlowAlgo, you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: FlowAlgo or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; FlowAlgo doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with FlowAlgo or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. FlowAlgo is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
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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.