★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Friday, June 12, 2026
Tool Comparison · Friday, June 12, 2026
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) vs MarketXLS
Trying to decide between FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and MarketXLS? Here's how they compare on pricing, features, and platforms — and which one fits the way you invest.
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
Best for data visualizations and calendar
Free macroeconomic and financial time-series database and tooling operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Access via web UI, iOS/Android apps, a Microsoft Excel add-in, and a REST API. Some features (dashboards, data lists, saved graphs/maps) and API key management require a free FRED account; all API requests require an API key and are rate-limited. Usage is subject to the FRED Services Terms of Use (including restrictions on scraping and on certain copyrighted series).
MarketXLS
Best for broker connectors and screeners
Excel‑first market data & analytics add‑in with 1,000+ functions. Current U.S. pricing is Standard $70/mo, Advanced $125/mo, and Business $200/mo, with annual savings and data/exchange fees included for non-professional users. Default data is 15‑min delayed, while Advanced/Business include real-time streaming for many U.S./Canadian stocks, ETFs, and options; futures/international data are 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.
Outbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
The verdict
The bottom line: FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and MarketXLS cover a lot of the same ground — 5 shared categories, including inflation rates, unemployment rates, and GDP — so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. MarketXLS simply does more — 21 categories to FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)'s 11, including broker connectors, screeners, and options & derivatives. FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) counters by being completely free.
Key differences at a glance
Free plan
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) only
Broader coverage
MarketXLS
21 vs 11 categories
Mobile app
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) only
API access
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) only
Desktop app
MarketXLS
MarketXLS only
Real-time data
MarketXLS
MarketXLS only
Choose
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) if…
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You care about data visualizations, calendar, and alerts — things MarketXLS doesn't offer
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
Choose
MarketXLS if…
- You care about broker connectors, screeners, and options & derivatives — things FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) doesn't offer
- You want more under one roof — 21 categories to FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)'s 11
- Delayed quotes won't cut it — you need real-time data
Consider alternatives if…
- You'd rather have one tool that does it all.
- Neither price feels right for what you'd get.
Comparison snapshot
Standout features
What FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) does best
- 800,000+ economic data series from 100+ sources, covering topics such as GDP, prices/inflation, employment, exchange rates, and interest rates.
- Browse and track data via categories, releases, sources, and tags; series pages show metadata like units/frequency and “last updated / next release” fields.
- Graphing and sharing options include embeddable graphs and graph-image links.
- Economic release calendar with scheduled release dates/times (US Central Time) and a data-provider caveat for availability.
- Account tools can provide email notifications for series updates.
What MarketXLS does best
- 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 on Advanced/Business for covered U.S./Canadian stocks, ETFs, and options; Standard defaults to 15‑minute delayed stock/ETF/crypto data and EOD options/mutual-fund/economic data.
- 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.
Data & access details
| Attribute | FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) | MarketXLS |
|---|---|---|
Asset types | Other | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsCurrenciesFuturesCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | Not specified | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day |
API access | REST | Not specified |
Export formats | ExcelImageJSONXML | ExcelCSV |
Seen enough? The fastest way to decide is to open both and poke around for five minutes.
Pricing breakdown
Tool
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
—
Starting price
Plans & pricing
Tool
MarketXLS
$70/mo
Starting price
Plans & pricing
Coverage overlap
Where the two tools cover the same ground.
What you only get with FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data).
What you only get with MarketXLS.
Community category leaders
Vote sentiment comparison
Loading sentiment chart...
Still deciding? Get hands-on with both — most plans offer a free tier or trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and MarketXLS?
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) leans toward inflation rates, unemployment rates, and GDP, while MarketXLS puts more weight on sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and screeners. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS free to use?
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. MarketXLS is paid-only. If budget matters, start with FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Can I use FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS on my phone?
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) has a proper mobile app, so it travels better. MarketXLS is web-only — it'll load in a phone browser, but it's not the same experience.
Does FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS have an API?
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. MarketXLS doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS?
It depends on what you're after. Pick FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) if data visualizations and calendar matter to you; go with MarketXLS if you'd rather have broker connectors and screeners. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and MarketXLS cover?
Both cover the common asset types. FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) also handles other. MarketXLS adds stocks, ETFs, and options on top.
Does FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS have real-time data?
MarketXLS offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) runs on delayed or end-of-day data — perfectly fine for longer-term investors who don't live and die by the tick.
Can I export data from FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and MarketXLS?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (Excel) — handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS connect to my broker?
MarketXLS syncs with brokers automatically. With FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener—FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS?
MarketXLS has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) or MarketXLS?
MarketXLS handles portfolio tracking. FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) is really a research tool — you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Other tools you might like
These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.
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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.