★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: Validea checked August 4, 2026
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs Validea
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 top analysts, stock comparison, and ETF comparison, things Validea doesn't offer
Pick Validea instead if
Validea
Free • Contact for pricing · Web
- You care about ETF factors, something GuruFocus doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
GuruFocus and Validea cover a lot of the same ground (14 shared categories, including stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 49 categories to Validea's 15, including top analysts, stock comparison, and ETF comparison, plus a mobile app. Validea counters by being completely free.
What readers say
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Validea
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus49 vs 15 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Broker sync
- GuruFocus
- Global coverage
- 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 • Contact for pricing |
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 | No |
Integrations | GuruFocus Data API, GuruFocus MCP Server +3 more | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +5 more |
Categories covered | 49 | 15 |
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: End of Day and Granularity: EOD |
Data partners | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more | LSEG |
Capabilities | 9 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +7 more | 6 signals: Ranking backtests, Universe builder +4 more |
Security | Status page and Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit GuruFocus | Visit Validea |
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Validea each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Validea 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 Validea does best
- Views for reviewing stock portfolios based on Buffett, Graham, Lynch, Piotroski, Greenblatt, O'Shaughnessy, momentum, quality, value, and other strategies.
- ETF model portfolios, risk-managed ETF portfolios, sector rotation, factor rotation, and macro/factor approaches.
- Direct access to factor reports, guru analysis, guru stock screeners, ETF factor reports, and ETF factor screeners.
- Trend following, market valuation, rating changes, strategy/ETF matching, and portfolio correlation tools.
- Browsing access to public popular stock and ETF screens such as high Piotroski F-score, high quality, cheap value, high momentum, and multi-factor screens.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Validea, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Validea, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | StocksETFs |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | IntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsQuants/DevelopersStudents/Researchers |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK | Countries: US and CAIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | End of Day |
Data granularity | EOD | EOD |
Pricing sources | ExchangeVendorModel | Not specified |
Data partners | QuoteMediaMorningstarRefinitivFREDSEC / local regulators | LSEG |
| 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 | 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 | Ranking backtestsUniverse builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, and LowVolFactor exposurePortfolio factor exposureCorrelation |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | The Reese Group, LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Email |
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 public research and newsletter” |
| Entry paid plan | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more | — |
| Tier 2 | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more | — |
| 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” | Contact sales“Validea Pro / paid access” |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between GuruFocus and Validea?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while Validea puts more weight on stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners. They overlap in 14 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do GuruFocus and Validea cost?
Good news: both GuruFocus and Validea 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 Validea?
GuruFocus is the friendlier place to start; its interface takes less getting used to. Both work fine once you're past the basics.
Can I use GuruFocus or Validea on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. Validea doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does GuruFocus or Validea have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Validea doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or Validea?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if top analysts and stock comparison matter to you; go with Validea if you'd rather have ETF factors. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and Validea cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. GuruFocus also handles bonds, mutual funds, and options.
Which covers international markets: GuruFocus or Validea?
GuruFocus has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Validea is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and Validea?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Validea is stingier about getting data out.
Can GuruFocus or Validea connect to my broker?
GuruFocus syncs with brokers automatically. With Validea, you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Are GuruFocus and Validea good for long-term investing?
Yes, both are aimed squarely at long-term investors. Compare their coverage, workflow, and price before assuming they solve the same long-term research job.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or Validea?
Both GuruFocus and Validea 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 Validea?
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.