★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
GuruFocus vs Zacks (Zacks.com)
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about stock ideas, top analysts, and stock comparison, things Zacks (Zacks.com) doesn't offer
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Pick Zacks (Zacks.com) instead if
Zacks (Zacks.com)
Free • From $20.75/mo · Web · Mobile
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $20.75/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.
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Our take
The bottom line
GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com) cover a lot of the same ground (12 shared categories, including screeners, ETF screeners, and portfolio), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 48 categories to Zacks (Zacks.com)'s 12, including stock ideas, top analysts, and stock comparison. Zacks (Zacks.com) counters by starting cheaper at $20.75/mo.
What readers say
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Zacks (Zacks.com)
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Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- Zacks (Zacks.com)$20.75/mo vs $45.75/mo
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus48 vs 12 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Real-time data
- Zacks (Zacks.com)
- Broker sync
- GuruFocus
- Asset coverage
- GuruFocusAdds bonds and options
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 $20.75/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | 7 days | 30 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 | 4 limits: Premium Annual: annual price usd: 249, Ultimate Monthly: trial promo: $1 for 30 days shown on current product page +2 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 | 48 | 12 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America, Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +1 more |
Data partners | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more | — |
Capabilities | 8 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +6 more | Factors: Value, Momentum, and Growth |
Security | Status page and Encryption in transit | — |
| Try it | Visit GuruFocus | Visit Zacks (Zacks.com) |
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com) each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com) 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.
- Backtest screener strategies across many countries with configurable stock count, ranking metric, sort order, date range, and rebalance frequency.
- GF Score to compare stocks through a 0-100 framework built around financial strength, profitability, growth, valuation, and momentum.
- GF Value to frame fair value from historical multiples, past returns, and analyst estimates, then classify stocks by valuation range.
What Zacks (Zacks.com) does best
- The Zacks Rank system from #1 to #5 and Zacks Industry Rank on company pages to frame earnings-revision-driven research.
- Comparison tools for Value, Growth, and Momentum Style Scores alongside the rank when screening or reviewing individual stocks.
- Screening for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds with hundreds of filters, with 45+ Premium Screens gated behind paid access.
- Direct access to ticker pages with analyst forecasts, earnings estimates, price targets, company research, and related market context.
- Views for reviewing Price-Consensus-EPS Surprise charts that connect historical estimates, actual earnings, and surprise patterns.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com), side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com), side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther | StocksETFsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North AmericaEurope |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK | Identifiers: 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 | 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 curvesAI summaries: Transcripts | Factors: Value, Momentum, and Growth |
Vendor & support | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum | Zacks Investment Research |
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 | $20.75/mo“Premium Annual”annual price usd: 249 |
| 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 | $41.25/mo“Investor Collection Annual” |
| Tier 3 | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +10 more | $59/mo“Investor Collection Monthly” |
| Tier 4 | $2448/yr≈ $204/mo“Pro / Professional”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 2,000/month included with Professional membership | $249.58/mo“Ultimate Annual”annual price usd: 2,995 · trial promo: $1 for 30 days shown on current product page |
| Tier 5 | $2000/mo“Data API Commercial”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +1 more | $299/mo“Ultimate Monthly”trial promo: $1 for 30 days shown on current product page |
| 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 | 30 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com)?
GuruFocus leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while Zacks (Zacks.com) puts more weight on screeners, ETF screeners, and watchlist. They overlap in 12 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com) cost?
Good news: both GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com) have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Does GuruFocus or Zacks (Zacks.com) have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Zacks (Zacks.com) doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose GuruFocus or Zacks (Zacks.com)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick GuruFocus if stock ideas and top analysts matter to you; go with Zacks (Zacks.com) if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com) cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. GuruFocus also handles bonds, options, and funds.
Does GuruFocus or Zacks (Zacks.com) have real-time data?
Zacks (Zacks.com) 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.
Can I export data from GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com)?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Zacks (Zacks.com) is stingier about getting data out.
Can GuruFocus or Zacks (Zacks.com) connect to my broker?
GuruFocus syncs with brokers automatically. With Zacks (Zacks.com), you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: GuruFocus or Zacks (Zacks.com)?
Both GuruFocus and Zacks (Zacks.com) 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 Zacks (Zacks.com)?
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.