★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs Smartkarma
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about ETF screeners, top analysts, and stock comparison, things Smartkarma doesn't offer
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Pick Smartkarma instead if
Smartkarma
Free • Paid plans available · Web · Mobile
- Go this way if it's completely free.
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 Smartkarma cover a lot of the same ground (10 shared categories, including stock ideas, screeners, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 49 categories to Smartkarma's 10, including ETF screeners, top analysts, and stock comparison. Smartkarma counters by being completely free.
What readers say
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Smartkarma
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Broker sync
- GuruFocus
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus49 vs 10 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Free plan
- Both
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 • Paid plans available |
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 | Yes |
API access | Yes | No |
Broker sync | Yes | No |
Integrations | GuruFocus Data API, GuruFocus MCP Server +3 more | Bloomberg Terminal |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more | — |
Categories covered | 49 | 10 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more | Corporate actions: Current |
Data partners | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more | — |
Capabilities | 9 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +7 more | Universe builder and Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, and Growth |
Security | Status page and Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit GuruFocus | Visit Smartkarma |
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Smartkarma each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Smartkarma 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 Smartkarma does best
- Reading access to independent investment research and analyst insights from the Smartkarma platform across equities, macro, FX, rates, crypto, and related markets.
- Direct analyst access, real-time alerts, email notifications, and watchlists to follow relevant research as it is published.
- Screening for ideas with SmartScore factors such as Value, Dividend, Growth, Resilience, and Momentum, with filters by country, sector, and market cap.
- The Relative Value tool for HoldCo and share-class pair opportunities, including Actionability, Investability, and z-score diagnostics.
- Monitoring FX, rates, macroeconomic calendars, crypto dashboards, market updates, videos, blogs, and newsletters from the broader platform.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Smartkarma, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Smartkarma, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | StocksETFsBondsCurrenciesCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
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 | Bloomberg Terminal |
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 | Universe builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, and Growth |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | Smartkarma Innovations Pte LtdCountry: Singapore |
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“Preview Pass” |
| Entry paid plan | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more | Subscription“Pro Platform” |
| Tier 2 | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more | Subscription“Premium & Data Subscriptions” |
| Tier 3 | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +12 more | Subscription“Digital IR Platform (Corporate)” |
| Tier 4 | $2448/yr≈ $204/mo“Professional”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 2,000/month included with Professional membership | Subscription“Plus Platform (Wealth/Intermediaries)” |
| 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 Smartkarma?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while Smartkarma puts more weight on stock ideas, screeners, and watchlist. They overlap in 10 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do GuruFocus and Smartkarma cost?
Good news: both GuruFocus and Smartkarma have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Does GuruFocus or Smartkarma have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Smartkarma doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or Smartkarma?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if ETF screeners and top analysts matter to you; go with Smartkarma if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and Smartkarma cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and bonds. GuruFocus also handles mutual funds, options, and funds. Smartkarma adds currencies and cryptos on top.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and Smartkarma?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Smartkarma is stingier about getting data out.
Can GuruFocus or Smartkarma connect to my broker?
GuruFocus syncs with brokers automatically. With Smartkarma, you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or Smartkarma?
Both GuruFocus and Smartkarma 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 Smartkarma?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. Smartkarma 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.