Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs Magic Formula Investing
- Paid from
- $45.75/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, API
Best if
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want ETF screeners, top analysts, and stock comparison.
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
Best if
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want ETF screeners, top analysts, and stock comparison.
Pick Magic Formula Investing instead if
Magic Formula Investing
Free · Web
- Go this way if it's completely free.
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 Magic Formula Investing cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, stock ideas and screeners), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 49 categories to Magic Formula Investing's 2, including ETF screeners, top analysts, and stock comparison, plus a mobile app. Magic Formula Investing counters by being completely free.
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Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus49 vs 2 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Global coverage
- GuruFocus
- Asset coverage
- GuruFocusAdds ETFs and bonds
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 Magic Formula Investing does best
- The official Magic Formula screener with two inputs, minimum market cap and either 30 or 50 results.
- Screening for companies ranked on high earnings yield and high return on capital, with the accounting adjustments described by the official methodology.
- A narrow value and quality idea list for further research.
- Focus on U.S.-listed equities because the official universe excludes foreign companies and ADRs.
- Financial and utility companies are excluded from the official screen.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free • From $549/yr | Free |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | 7 days | — |
Plan limits | 57 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 +55 more | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | Yes | No |
Broker sync | 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 | 49 | 2 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more | 3 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +1 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 GuruFocus | Visit Magic Formula Investing |
Standout features
The best features of GuruFocus and Magic Formula Investing.ShowHide
Standout features
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 Magic Formula Investing does best
- The official Magic Formula screener with two inputs, minimum market cap and either 30 or 50 results.
- Screening for companies ranked on high earnings yield and high return on capital, with the accounting adjustments described by the official methodology.
- A narrow value and quality idea list for further research.
- Focus on U.S.-listed equities because the official universe excludes foreign companies and ADRs.
- Financial and utility companies are excluded from the official screen.
All details
Every attribute we track for GuruFocus and Magic Formula Investing.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | End of Day |
Data granularity | EOD | EOD |
Pricing sources | ExchangeVendorModel | Not specified |
Data partners | QuoteMediaMorningstarRefinitivFREDSEC / local regulators | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | Not specified |
API auth & delivery | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python and GoDocs | Not specified |
Import methods | CSVBrokerOAuthManual | Not specified |
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 | Not specified |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | Not specified |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 3/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| 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 |
| Entry paid plan | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · region price: $549/year for USA, Asia, or Europe; $369/year for several other regions · +7 more | — |
| Tier 2 | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +12 more | — |
| Tier 3 | $2000/mo“Data API Commercial”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +1 more | — |
| Tier 4 | Subscription“Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · public price: Current rendered pricing could not establish the Premium Plus amount · +4 more | — |
| Tier 5 | Subscription“Professional”billing: Annual only · public price: Current rendered pricing could not establish the Professional amount · +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 Magic Formula Investing?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while Magic Formula Investing puts more weight on screeners and stock ideas. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do GuruFocus and Magic Formula Investing cost?
Good news: both GuruFocus and Magic Formula Investing have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use GuruFocus or Magic Formula Investing on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. Magic Formula Investing doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does GuruFocus or Magic Formula Investing have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Magic Formula Investing doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or Magic Formula Investing?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if ETF screeners and top analysts matter to you; go with Magic Formula Investing if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and Magic Formula Investing cover?
Both cover stocks. GuruFocus also handles ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds.
Which covers international markets: GuruFocus or Magic Formula Investing?
GuruFocus has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Magic Formula Investing is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and Magic Formula Investing?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Magic Formula Investing is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or Magic Formula Investing?
Both GuruFocus and Magic Formula Investing include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
Can I track my portfolio with GuruFocus or Magic Formula Investing?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. Magic Formula Investing is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
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