VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
FOIAsearch vs InsideArbitrage
Pick FOIAsearch instead if
FOIAsearch
Free • Paid plans available · Web
- You want flags.
Start here
InsideArbitrage
Free • From $100/mo · Web
- You want news, calendar, and corporate actions & special situations.
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
FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, alerts, regulatory filings monitoring, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. InsideArbitrage simply does more: 17 categories to FOIAsearch's 4, including news, calendar, and corporate actions & special situations. FOIAsearch counters by being completely free.
What readers say
FOIAsearch
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
InsideArbitrage
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- InsideArbitrageAdds ETFs
- Broader coverage
- InsideArbitrage17 vs 4 categories
- 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 • Paid plans available | Free • From $100/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 4 | 17 |
Regions | North America | — |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Capabilities | — | Universe builder |
| Try it | Visit FOIAsearch | Visit InsideArbitrage |
Where each one shines
What FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage each do best.What FOIAsearch does best
- Search SEC FOIA request logs by company or organization.
- Review separate lists for all requests and B7A-exempt requests.
- Use Protect My Portfolio for alerts about saved portfolio companies.
- Use IR Watch for alerts when hedge funds, research firms or reporters request information about an issuer.
- Receive a monthly roundup of SEC FOIA requests from selected reporters.
What InsideArbitrage does best
- Track announced mergers, spreads, calendars, deal updates and potential deals.
- Filter news, SEC filings and social posts for premium tracked-deal symbols.
- Research insider activity through transaction pages, weekly articles, cluster-buy screens and insider rankings.
- Follow buybacks, spinoffs, CVRs, tender offers, reverse splits, activist campaigns and management changes.
- Use 13F, 13D, 13G and Form 4 data for institutional and insider ownership context.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | Stocks | StocksETFs |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | Not specified |
Coverage details | Countries: US | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Not specified | Universe builder |
Vendor & support | Dorsey Research LLCSupport: Email | InsideArbitrageSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Methodology 3/5Reliability 3/5UX 4/5 | Methodology 3/5Reliability 3/5UX 4/5 |
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 Search” | Free“Public Articles and Data” |
| Entry paid plan | Subscription“Portfolio Alerts” | $100/mo“Premium - Annual” |
| Tier 2 | Subscription“IR Watch” | $150/mo“Premium - Monthly” |
| Top plan | Subscription“Prominent Reporter Alerts” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage?
FOIAsearch leans toward alerts, regulatory filings monitoring, and watchlist, while InsideArbitrage puts more weight on news, alerts, and calendar. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage cost?
Good news: both FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Should I choose FOIAsearch or InsideArbitrage?
It depends on what you're after. Pick FOIAsearch if flags matter to you; go with InsideArbitrage if you'd rather have news and calendar. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do FOIAsearch and InsideArbitrage cover?
Both cover stocks. InsideArbitrage adds ETFs on top.
Which has a better stock screener: FOIAsearch or InsideArbitrage?
InsideArbitrage has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; FOIAsearch doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with FOIAsearch or InsideArbitrage?
InsideArbitrage handles portfolio tracking. FOIAsearch is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Keep researching
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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.