VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
Lightyear vs MoatMap
Pick Lightyear if
Lightyear
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want brokerage, ETF analysis, and fund analysis.
Pick MoatMap if
MoatMap
Free • From $6 per unit · Web
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want screeners, scores, and valuation models.
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
Lightyear and MoatMap cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including portfolio, watchlist, and AI research), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. MoatMap simply does more: 13 categories to Lightyear's 8, including screeners, scores, and valuation models. Lightyear counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
Lightyear
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MoatMap
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Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- MoatMap
- Broader coverage
- MoatMap13 vs 8 categories
- Mobile app
- Lightyear
- Real-time data
- MoatMap
- Asset coverage
- LightyearAdds ETFs and bonds
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 | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Free • From $6 per unit |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 6 limits: European account: currency conversion: fee percent: 0.35, UK personal account trading: fx fee percent: 0.1 +4 more | 7 limits: Free: feathers per month: 20, Taster pack: feathers: 100 +5 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate |
Best for | Retail Traders, Long-term Investors +1 more | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +4 more |
Categories covered | 8 | 13 |
Regions | North America, Europe | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | Latency: Real-time and End of Day and Granularity: EOD |
Data partners | 3 partners: Alpaca, BlackRock +1 more | — |
Capabilities | Multi-currency and AI summaries: News | 5 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Quality, Value, and Momentum +3 more |
| Try it | Visit Lightyear | Visit MoatMap |
Where each one shines
What Lightyear and MoatMap each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Lightyear and MoatMap each do best.What Lightyear does best
- Trade U.S., UK, and European stocks, with fractional shares where supported.
- European accounts pay no Lightyear ETF execution or custody fee, although fund manager fees still apply.
- General investment and eligible business accounts can hold GBP, USD, and EUR.
- Build custom plans, use ready-made plans, and optionally automate purchases of eligible fractional instruments.
- Lightyear AI summarizes material-move news, explains possible price-chart drivers, and presents sourced bull and bear cases.
What MoatMap does best
- Score more than 20,000 stocks daily on Quality, Value, and Momentum within sector and global contexts.
- Screen stocks across 30 markets, use five prepared screens, and save or share filters.
- Order 9,000-to-12,000-word AI reports covering business segments, management, earnings transcripts, and scenarios.
- Track insider buys, sells, and buybacks across 28 markets.
- Upload a broker statement for factor scores, sector exposure, look-through financials, insider activity, buybacks, and earnings dates.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Lightyear and MoatMap, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Lightyear and MoatMap, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsFundsCryptos | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediate |
Target audience | Retail TradersLong-term InvestorsIndex/Passive Investors | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsGrowth Investors |
Regions | North AmericaEurope | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica |
Coverage details | Countries: US, GB, and EEExchanges: XNYS, XNAS, and XLONIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | EOD |
Data partners | AlpacaBlackRockJ.P. Morgan Asset Management | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Manual | CSVManual |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Multi-currencyAI summaries: News | Universe builderFactors: Quality, Value, and MomentumFactor exposurePortfolio factor exposureAI summaries: Filings, Transcripts, and News |
Vendor & support | Lightyear Financial Ltd.Country: United KingdomSupport: Email and Chat | MoatMapCountry: MalaysiaSupport: 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 | Free“Account” | Freefeathers per month: 20 |
| Entry paid plan | — | $6 per unit“Taster pack”feathers: 100 · expiry: Never expires |
| Tier 2 | — | $15 per unit“Standard pack”feathers: 300 · expiry: Never expires |
| Top plan | — | $28 per unit“Bulk pack”feathers: 600 · expiry: Never expires |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Lightyear and MoatMap?
Lightyear leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while MoatMap puts more weight on AI research, screeners, and stock ideas. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is Lightyear or MoatMap free to use?
MoatMap has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. Lightyear is paid-only. If budget matters, start with MoatMap and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Can I use Lightyear or MoatMap on my phone?
Lightyear lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. MoatMap doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Should I choose Lightyear or MoatMap?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Lightyear if brokerage and ETF analysis matter to you; go with MoatMap if you'd rather have screeners and scores. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Lightyear and MoatMap cover?
Both cover stocks. Lightyear also handles ETFs, bonds, and funds.
Does Lightyear or MoatMap have real-time data?
MoatMap offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Lightyear 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.
Are Lightyear and MoatMap 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: Lightyear or MoatMap?
MoatMap has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Lightyear doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Lightyear or MoatMap?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
Keep researching
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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.