★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs Smartfin
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 care about screeners, ETF screeners, and top analysts, things Smartfin doesn't offer
Pick Smartfin instead if
Smartfin
Free • From $8.33/mo · Web
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $8.33/mo instead of $45.75/mo
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
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 Smartfin cover a lot of the same ground (11 shared categories, including stock ideas, data visualizations, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 49 categories to Smartfin's 12, including screeners, ETF screeners, and top analysts, plus a mobile app. Smartfin counters by starting cheaper at $8.33/mo.
What readers say
GuruFocus
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Smartfin
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- Smartfin$8.33/mo vs $45.75/mo
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus49 vs 12 categories
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Real-time data
- Smartfin
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 $8.33/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
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 | — |
| 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 |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more | — |
Categories covered | 49 | 12 |
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 and End of Day and Granularity: EOD |
Data partners | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more | — |
Capabilities | 9 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +7 more | AI summaries: Filings |
Security | Status page and Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit GuruFocus | Visit Smartfin |
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Smartfin each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Smartfin 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 Smartfin does best
- AI overviews summarize positives, negatives, recent financials, trends, and sector context.
- Scores compare value, profit, growth, and financial-health metrics with companies in the same sector.
- The visual explorer supports annual and quarterly charts, more than 200 metrics and ratios, and image downloads.
- Available financial history depends on plan: five years on Starter, ten years on Premium, and more than 30 years on Pro.
- Email and in-app alerts cover insider trades and analyst price-target changes.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Smartfin, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Smartfin, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediate |
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: USExchanges: XNYS and XNASIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | Real-timeEnd 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 | Image |
| 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 | AI summaries: Filings |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | SmartfinSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 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 | 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“Starter” |
| Entry paid plan | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more | $8.33/mo“Premium” |
| Tier 2 | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more | $16.99/mo“Pro” |
| 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 Smartfin?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while Smartfin puts more weight on stock ideas, financials, and scores. They overlap in 11 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do GuruFocus and Smartfin cost?
Good news: both GuruFocus and Smartfin have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: GuruFocus or Smartfin?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Can I use GuruFocus or Smartfin on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. Smartfin doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does GuruFocus or Smartfin have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Smartfin doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or Smartfin?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if screeners and ETF screeners matter to you; go with Smartfin if you'd rather have checklist. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and Smartfin cover?
Both cover stocks. GuruFocus also handles ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds.
Does GuruFocus or Smartfin have real-time data?
Smartfin 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 Smartfin?
GuruFocus has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Smartfin is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and Smartfin?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Smartfin is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or Smartfin?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Smartfin doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with GuruFocus or Smartfin?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. Smartfin is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Keep researching
More comparisons to check
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
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.