★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: The Motley Fool checked August 4, 2026
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs The Motley Fool
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about screeners, ETF screeners, and top analysts, things The Motley Fool doesn't offer
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Pick The Motley Fool instead if
The Motley Fool
Free • From $16.58/mo · Web · Mobile
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $16.58/mo instead of $45.75/mo
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 The Motley Fool cover a lot of the same ground (8 shared categories, including stock ideas, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 49 categories to The Motley Fool's 8, including screeners, ETF screeners, and top analysts. The Motley Fool counters by starting cheaper at $16.58/mo.
What readers say
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
The Motley Fool
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- The Motley Fool$16.58/mo vs $45.75/mo
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus49 vs 8 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Broker sync
- GuruFocus
- Asset coverage
- GuruFocusAdds bonds and mutual funds
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 $16.58/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 | Yes |
API access | Yes | No |
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 | 49 | 8 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | — |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 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 The Motley Fool |
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and The Motley Fool each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and The Motley Fool 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 The Motley Fool does best
- Reading access to free investing articles, market news, educational content, podcasts, and market snapshots on Fool.com.
- Stock Advisor for two new stock recommendations per month at $199/year for the annual plan.
- Upgrade to Epic for broader access including Rule Breakers, Dividend Investor, Hidden Gems, FoolIQ/GamePlan, AI-powered tools, and five monthly recommendations.
- Epic Plus for more recommendation volume, including 8+ monthly stock recommendations and daily Moneyball recommendations.
- Evaluation tools for Fool Portfolios and Fool One for higher-priced portfolio access, real-money portfolio context, specialized research, events, and broader membership coverage.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and The Motley Fool, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and The Motley Fool, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | StocksETFs |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | Not specified |
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 | Manual |
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 | The Motley Fool, LLCCountry: USFounded 1993Support: Phone |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 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 |
| Entry paid plan | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more | $16.58/mo“Stock Advisor (Annual)” |
| Tier 2 | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more | $41.58/mo“Epic (Annual)” |
| Tier 3 | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +12 more | $166.58/mo“Epic Plus (Annual)” |
| Tier 4 | $2448/yr≈ $204/mo“Professional”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 2,000/month included with Professional membership | $333.25/mo“Fool Portfolios (Annual)” |
| Tier 5 | $2000/mo“Data API Commercial”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +1 more | $1166.58/mo“Fool One” |
| 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 The Motley Fool?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while The Motley Fool puts more weight on stock ideas, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 8 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do GuruFocus and The Motley Fool cost?
Good news: both GuruFocus and The Motley Fool have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Does GuruFocus or The Motley Fool have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. The Motley Fool doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or The Motley Fool?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if screeners and ETF screeners matter to you; go with The Motley Fool if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and The Motley Fool cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. GuruFocus also handles bonds, mutual funds, and options.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and The Motley Fool?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. The Motley Fool is stingier about getting data out.
Can GuruFocus or The Motley Fool connect to my broker?
GuruFocus syncs with brokers automatically. With The Motley Fool, you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or The Motley Fool?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; The Motley Fool doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with GuruFocus or The Motley Fool?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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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.