★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
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: 48 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
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Smartfin
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- Smartfin$8.33/mo vs $45.75/mo
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus48 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 | 47 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 +45 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 | 48 | 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 | 8 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +6 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 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 Smartfin does best
- Read Smartfin company overview and evaluation cards with plain-English positives, negatives, and peer positioning.
- Use sector-adjusted scorecards for value, profit, growth, and financial health with peer rankings.
- Explore visual financial statements with plan-based history: 5 years on Starter, 10 years on Premium, and 30+ years on Pro.
- Track watchlists and real-time alerts with limits that scale from Starter and Premium to larger Pro usage.
- Use the event hub for earnings, SEC filings, transcripts, and a lightweight research checklist for followed tickers.
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 curvesAI summaries: Transcripts | 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“Plus / 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 · +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 · 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.
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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.