★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) vs LIQN
Pick Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) instead if
Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
Free · Web · Other
- You care about APIs & data feeds, something LIQN doesn't offer
Start here
LIQN
Free · Web
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You care about money flow, risk metrics, and watchlist, things Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) doesn't offer
- You're newer to investing and want something approachable
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
Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, quant, data visualizations, and factor exposure), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. LIQN simply does more: 16 categories to Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)'s 4, including money flow, risk metrics, and watchlist. Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) counters by being completely free.
What readers say
Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
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LIQN
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- LIQN
- Broader coverage
- LIQN16 vs 4 categories
- Global coverage
- Global Factor Data (JKP Factors)
- Beginner friendly
- LIQN
- 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 | Free |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | Free (non-commercial license): license: CC BY-NC 4.0; commercial use requires separate permission. | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
Integrations | WRDS and GitHub | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Quants/Developers, Analysts +1 more | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +6 more |
Categories covered | 4 | 16 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | Granularity: EOD | 4 signals: Latency: Streaming, Real-time, and End of Day, Granularity: Tick, Minute, and EOD +2 more |
Data partners | 3 partners: WRDS, CRSP +1 more | — |
Capabilities | — | Factor exposure |
| Try it | Visit Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) | Visit LIQN |
Where each one shines
What Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN each do best.What Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) does best
- The download tool covers 153 factor portfolios in 13 themes, 93 countries, and four regions.
- Factor returns are excess returns in US dollars with daily or monthly frequency and multiple weighting methods where available.
- Downloads also include low, middle, and high sorted portfolios, GICS and Fama-French industry returns, breakpoints, cutoffs, and factor mappings.
- Analysis pages compare annualized return, volatility, Sharpe ratio, information ratio, alpha, beta, and cumulative performance.
- Monthly stock-level characteristics are distributed through WRDS and require an eligible institutional subscription.
What LIQN does best
- Track more than 150 thematic factors across more than 3,000 U.S. equities in live list, grid, and heatmap views.
- Use Macro Pulse to review the market regime, confidence, confirming factors, divergences, and current stories.
- Five analysis lenses for factor rotation with distribution tails, monthly-return heatmaps, long/short spreads, side-by-side factor comparison, and market-stress monitoring.
- Classified net and gross flows, short-interest context, and multi-period factor returns.
- Social IQ for daily X attention breakouts, post-volume surges relative to each ticker's baseline, co-mentions, and crowd sentiment context.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | Stocks | Stocks |
Experience | Advanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Quants/DevelopersAnalystsStudents/Researchers | Retail TradersPro RetailSwing TradersAnalystsQuants/DevelopersInstitutional InvestorsAsset ManagersHedge Funds |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North America |
Coverage details | Not specified | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | StreamingReal-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | EOD | TickMinuteEOD |
Data partners | WRDSCRSPCompustat | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Not specified | Manual |
Integrations | WRDSGitHub | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Not specified | Factor exposure |
Vendor & support | Global Factor Data (Jensen, Kelly, Pedersen)Support: Forum and Email | LIQN.AI Holdings, Inc.Support: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 4/5Reliability 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 (non-commercial license)”license: CC BY-NC 4.0; commercial use requires separate permission. | Free“Current access” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN?
Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) leans toward APIs & data feeds, quant, and data visualizations, while LIQN puts more weight on data visualizations, quant, and money flow. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN cost?
Good news: both Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) and LIQN have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) or LIQN?
LIQN is the friendlier place to start; its interface takes less getting used to. Both work fine once you're past the basics.
Should I choose Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) or LIQN?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) if APIs & data feeds matter to you; go with LIQN if you'd rather have money flow and risk metrics. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
Does Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) or LIQN have real-time data?
LIQN 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.
Which covers international markets: Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) or LIQN?
Global Factor Data (JKP Factors) has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. LIQN is more region-specific, mainly North America.
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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.