★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs SEC API (sec-api.io)
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $45.75/mo instead of $55/mo
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, things SEC API (sec-api.io) doesn't offer
Pick SEC API (sec-api.io) instead if
SEC API (sec-api.io)
Free • From $55/mo · Web · API
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You care about regulatory filings monitoring and management compensation, things GuruFocus doesn't offer
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
GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io) cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including institutional ownership, APIs & data feeds, and IPO), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 48 categories to SEC API (sec-api.io)'s 7, including stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, plus a mobile app. SEC API (sec-api.io) counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
SEC API (sec-api.io)
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Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- GuruFocus$45.75/mo vs $55/mo
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus48 vs 7 categories
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- Real-time data
- SEC API (sec-api.io)
- 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 | Free • From $55/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | 7 days | — |
Plan limits | 41 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 +39 more | 3 limits: Free Tier: api calls: 100, Personal & Startups: query api rate limit: 20 requests/second/API key +1 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | Yes | No |
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 | 48 | 7 |
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 | Latency: Real-time |
Data partners | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more | — |
Capabilities | 8 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +6 more | — |
Security | Status page and Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit GuruFocus | Visit SEC API (sec-api.io) |
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io) each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io) each do best.What GuruFocus does best
- Research global stocks with long historical financials, valuation data, charts, comparisons, market valuation indicators, economic indicators, industry data, and company-level fundamentals.
- Use 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.
- Backtest screener strategies across many countries with configurable stock count, ranking metric, sort order, date range, and rebalance frequency.
- Use GF Score to compare stocks through a 0-100 framework built around financial strength, profitability, growth, valuation, and momentum.
- Use GF Value to frame fair value from historical multiples, past returns, and analyst estimates, then classify stocks by valuation range.
What SEC API (sec-api.io) does best
- Search SEC filings through query and full-text APIs covering all EDGAR form types and historical filings back to 1993.
- Use real-time WebSocket filing streams when new SEC filings need to trigger alerts, workflows, or downstream processing quickly.
- Convert XBRL filings to standardized JSON financial statements for income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, and US GAAP line-item workflows.
- Extract clean filing sections such as MD&A, Risk Factors, and other 10-K, 10-Q, or 8-K sections for research or AI pipelines.
- Access specialized APIs for Forms 3/4/5, 13F, 13D/G, Form 144, ADV, S-1, 424B4, Form C, Form D, Reg A, N-PORT, N-PX, and N-CEN data.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io), side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io), side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | StocksETFsMutual FundsFunds |
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 and CUSIP |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | Real-time |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
Pricing sources | ExchangeVendorModel | Not specified |
Data partners | QuoteMediaMorningstarRefinitivFREDSEC / local regulators | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | RESTWebSocket |
API auth & delivery | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python and GoDocs | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python |
Import methods | CSVBrokerOAuthManual | Not specified |
Integrations | GuruFocus Data APIGuruFocus MCP ServerGuruFocus Excel Add-inGuruFocus Google Sheets Add-onSnapTrade | Not specified |
Export formats | CSVExcelJSON | JSONPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Status pageEncryption in transit | Not specified |
Capability signals | Custom formulasRanking backtestsUniverse builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, and GrowthBroker syncMulti-currencyYield curvesAI summaries: Transcripts | Not specified |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | Data2Value GmbHSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 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 | 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 Tier”api calls: 100 |
| Entry paid plan | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more | $55/mo“Personal & Startups”query api rate limit: 20 requests/second/API key |
| Tier 2 | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Plus / Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more | $239/mo“Business (Internal Use)”query api rate limit: 40 requests/second/API key |
| Tier 3 | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +10 more | — |
| Tier 4 | $2448/yr≈ $204/mo“Pro / 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 · company profile: $0.10/request · +10 more | — |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Custom API / Enterprise Package” | Contact sales“Enterprise & Institutions” |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io)?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while SEC API (sec-api.io) puts more weight on APIs & data feeds, regulatory filings monitoring, and insider data. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io) cost?
Good news: both GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io) have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use GuruFocus or SEC API (sec-api.io) on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. SEC API (sec-api.io) doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web and API.
Do GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io) have APIs?
Yes, both offer API access, so developers and quants can pull data programmatically or wire up their own integrations.
Should I choose GuruFocus or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if stock ideas and screeners matter to you; go with SEC API (sec-api.io) if you'd rather have regulatory filings monitoring and management compensation. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io) cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and funds. GuruFocus also handles bonds, options, and other.
Does GuruFocus or SEC API (sec-api.io) have real-time data?
SEC API (sec-api.io) offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. GuruFocus 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: GuruFocus or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
GuruFocus has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. SEC API (sec-api.io) is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and SEC API (sec-api.io)?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. SEC API (sec-api.io) is stingier about getting data out.
Can GuruFocus or SEC API (sec-api.io) connect to my broker?
GuruFocus syncs with brokers automatically. With SEC API (sec-api.io), you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; SEC API (sec-api.io) doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with GuruFocus or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. SEC API (sec-api.io) is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
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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.