★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: Lightyear checked July 16, 2026
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs Lightyear
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about screeners, ETF screeners, and top analysts, things Lightyear doesn't offer
Pick Lightyear instead if
Lightyear
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about brokerage, something GuruFocus doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
GuruFocus and Lightyear cover a lot of the same ground (7 shared categories, including stock ideas, data visualizations, and portfolio), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 49 categories to Lightyear's 8, including screeners, ETF screeners, and top analysts. Lightyear counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Lightyear
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Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- GuruFocus
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus49 vs 8 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Broker sync
- 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 | Free • From $549/yr | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | Yes | No |
Free trial | 7 days | — |
Plan limits | 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 | 5 limits: Currency conversion: fee percent: 0.35, Crypto order: fee percent: 0.45 +3 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | Yes | No |
Broker sync | Yes | No |
Integrations | GuruFocus Data API, GuruFocus MCP Server +3 more | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more | Retail Traders, Long-term Investors +1 more |
Categories covered | 49 | 8 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America, Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more | — |
Data partners | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more | 3 partners: Alpaca, BlackRock +1 more |
Capabilities | 9 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +7 more | Multi-currency |
Security | Status page and Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit GuruFocus | Visit Lightyear |
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Lightyear each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Lightyear each do best.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.
What Lightyear does best
- Investment access for in US, UK, and European stocks, with fractional availability where supported.
- ETF access with no Lightyear execution or custody fee, while still accounting for fund manager fees.
- Hold GBP, USD, and EUR in a multi-currency account to reduce repeated FX conversions.
- Ready-made plans or build custom plans for recurring structured investing.
- Access to Lightyear AI and in-app tools for lighter research support around investable assets.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Lightyear, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Lightyear, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | StocksETFsBondsFundsCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediate |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more | Retail TradersLong-term InvestorsIndex/Passive Investors |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North AmericaEurope |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK | Countries: US, GB, and EEExchanges: XNYS, XNAS, and XLONIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
Pricing sources | ExchangeVendorModel | Not specified |
Data partners | QuoteMediaMorningstarRefinitivFREDSEC / local regulators | AlpacaBlackRockJ.P. Morgan Asset Management |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | Not specified |
API auth & delivery | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python and GoDocs | Not specified |
Import methods | CSVBrokerOAuthManual | Manual |
Integrations | GuruFocus Data APIGuruFocus MCP ServerGuruFocus Excel Add-inGuruFocus Google Sheets Add-onSnapTrade | Not specified |
Export formats | CSVExcelJSON | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Status pageEncryption in transit | Not specified |
Capability signals | Custom formulasRanking backtestsUniverse builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, and GrowthBroker syncMulti-currencyYield curvesCredit ratings+1 more | Multi-currency |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | Lightyear Financial Ltd.Country: United KingdomSupport: Email and Chat |
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 | Free“Free account” |
| Entry paid plan | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more | — |
| Tier 2 | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more | — |
| Tier 3 | $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 GuruFocus and Lightyear?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while Lightyear puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 7 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is GuruFocus or Lightyear free to use?
GuruFocus has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. Lightyear is paid-only. If budget matters, start with GuruFocus and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Which is better for beginners: GuruFocus or Lightyear?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Does GuruFocus or Lightyear have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Lightyear doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or Lightyear?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if screeners and ETF screeners matter to you; go with Lightyear if you'd rather have brokerage. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and Lightyear cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, bonds, and funds. GuruFocus also handles mutual funds, options, and other. Lightyear adds cryptos on top.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and Lightyear?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Lightyear is stingier about getting data out.
Can GuruFocus or Lightyear connect to my broker?
GuruFocus syncs with brokers automatically. With Lightyear, you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Are GuruFocus and Lightyear good for long-term investing?
Yes, both are aimed squarely at long-term investors. Compare their coverage, workflow, and price before assuming they solve the same long-term research job.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or Lightyear?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Lightyear doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with GuruFocus or Lightyear?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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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.