★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs Variant
Start here
GuruFocus
Best for screeners and ETF screeners
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API · 21% positive (14 votes)
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
Pick Variant instead if
Variant
Best for market sentiment
Other · Web
- You care about market sentiment, something GuruFocus doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
The verdict
The bottom line
GuruFocus and Variant cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, stock ideas, AI research, and forums), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 48 categories to Variant's 4, including screeners, ETF screeners, and top analysts, plus a mobile app. Variant counters by keeping things simpler.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- Free plan
- GuruFocus
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus48 vs 4 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Asset coverage
- GuruFocusAdds ETFs and bonds
Comparison snapshot
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free • From $549/yr | Other |
Free tier | Yes | No |
Free trial | 7 days | — |
Plan limits | 41 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 +39 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 | Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more | — |
Categories covered | 48 | 4 |
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 | 8 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +6 more | — |
Security | Status page and Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit GuruFocus | Visit Variant |
Standout features
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 Variant does best
- Build a custom investment avatar that reflects a research style, signal framework, or portfolio-construction logic.
- Use Variant avatars to monitor public-market opportunities and generate investment-research ideas around themes such as value, growth, activist, event-driven, special situations, credit, quant, and micro-cap workflows.
- Explore expert-style avatar examples and AI-generated market commentary as idea-generation inputs.
- Participate in a creator-style workflow where avatars can earn tokens and convert rewards to USDC.
- Use the linked Finance Avatars API path only after confirming eligibility, terms, and access with the vendor.
Data & access details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | IntermediateAdvanced |
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 | Not specified |
| 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 | 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 curvesAI summaries: Transcripts | Not specified |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | Support: Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing breakdown
$549/yr
Starting price
Plans & pricing
- portfolio 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
- billing: Annual only
- data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership
- +2 more
- billing: Annual only
- data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership
- +2 more
- billing: Annual only
- data api requests: 2,000/month included with Professional membership
- requests: 100/month
- billing: Billed annually
- monthly request limit: No limit
- +10 more
- billing: Billed annually
- monthly request limit: No limit
- +1 more
- initial top up: $100 credit
- company profile: $0.10/request
- +10 more
—
Starting price
Plans & pricing
Pricing not published
Coverage overlap
Shared categories
3Where the two tools cover the same ground.
GuruFocus strengths
45What you only get with GuruFocus.
Variant strengths
1What you only get with Variant.
Community category leaders
Vote sentiment comparison
Loading sentiment chart...
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between GuruFocus and Variant?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while Variant puts more weight on stock ideas, market sentiment, and forums. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is GuruFocus or Variant free to use?
GuruFocus has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. Variant is paid-only. If budget matters, start with GuruFocus and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Which is better for beginners: GuruFocus or Variant?
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 Variant on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. Variant doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does GuruFocus or Variant have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Variant doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or Variant?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if screeners and ETF screeners matter to you; go with Variant if you'd rather have market sentiment. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and Variant cover?
Both cover stocks. GuruFocus also handles ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and Variant?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Variant is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or Variant?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Variant doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with GuruFocus or Variant?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. Variant is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Other tools you might like
These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.
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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.