VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
LIQN vs ORTEX
Pick LIQN if
LIQN
Free · Web
- You want factor exposure, risk metrics, and watchlist.
Pick ORTEX if
ORTEX
Free • From $39/mo · 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 want insider data, index rebalancing, and options.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
LIQN and ORTEX cover a lot of the same ground (7 shared categories, including data visualizations, quant, and money flow), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. LIQN includes factor exposure and risk metrics, and ORTEX includes insider data and index rebalancing.
What readers say
LIQN
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
ORTEX
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- ORTEX
- API access
- ORTEX
- Global coverage
- ORTEX
- Asset coverage
- ORTEXAdds ETFs and options
- Free plan
- Both
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 | Free • From $39/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | 9 limits: API Trader: credits per month: 1,000, API Trader: rate limit: 1 req/s +7 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | No | No |
Integrations | — | Microsoft Excel (Add-in), Python SDK +1 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +6 more | — |
Categories covered | 16 | 16 |
Regions | North America | North America, Europe, APAC |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Streaming, Real-time, and End of Day, Granularity: Tick, Minute, and EOD +2 more | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +1 more |
Capabilities | Factor exposure | 4 signals: Universe builder, Multi-leg options +2 more |
| Try it | Visit LIQN | Visit ORTEX |
Where each one shines
What LIQN and ORTEX each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What LIQN and ORTEX each do best.What LIQN does best
- Track more than 150 thematic factors across more than 3,000 U.S. equities in live list, grid, and heatmap views.
- Use Macro Pulse to review the market regime, confidence, confirming factors, divergences, and current stories.
- Five analysis lenses for factor rotation with distribution tails, monthly-return heatmaps, long/short spreads, side-by-side factor comparison, and market-stress monitoring.
- Classified net and gross flows, short-interest context, and multi-period factor returns.
- Social IQ for daily X attention breakouts, post-volume surges relative to each ticker's baseline, co-mentions, and crowd sentiment context.
What ORTEX does best
- Monitor short interest and securities-lending conditions with utilization, cost to borrow, shares on loan, and percentage of free float on loan.
- Comparison tools for lending-based short-interest estimates with official U.S. exchange-reported short interest and European flagged-short disclosures.
- Tracking intraday and real-time estimates from ORTEX lender and broker data pools where plan access supports those views.
- Research coverage for options activity and flow signals using OPRA-sourced options data, with OPRA terms required before access.
- Rule-based Short Squeeze, EPS, RSI, MACD, and Company Events signals with historical performance shown beside each trigger.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for LIQN and ORTEX, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for LIQN and ORTEX, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | Stocks | StocksETFsOptionsCurrencies |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailSwing TradersAnalystsQuants/DevelopersInstitutional InvestorsAsset ManagersHedge Funds | Not specified |
Regions | North America | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | StreamingReal-timeEnd of Day | Real-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | TickMinuteEOD | MinuteEOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python |
Import methods | Manual | Not specified |
Integrations | Not specified | Microsoft Excel (Add-in)Python SDKMCP |
Export formats | Not specified | CSV |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Factor exposure | Universe builderMulti-leg optionsGreeksEarnings vol edge |
Vendor & support | LIQN.AI Holdings, Inc.Support: Email | Ortex Technologies LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Email and Phone |
Curation ratings | Methodology 4/5Reliability 3/5UX 4/5 | Methodology 4/5Reliability 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 | Free“Current access” | Free |
| Entry paid plan | — | $39/mo“Basic Annual” |
| Tier 2 | — | $49/mo“Basic Monthly” |
| Tier 3 | — | $99/mo“Advanced Annual” |
| Tier 4 | — | $149/mo“Advanced Monthly” |
| Tier 5 | — | €49/mo“API Trader”credits per month: 1,000 · rate limit: 1 req/s · +1 more |
| Tier 6 | — | €129/mo“API Quant”credits per month: 10,000 · rate limit: 5 req/s · +1 more |
| Tier 7 | — | €379/mo“API Developer”credits per month: 100,000 · rate limit: 50 req/s · +1 more |
| Top plan | — | Subscription“API Enterprise” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between LIQN and ORTEX?
LIQN leans toward data visualizations, quant, and money flow, while ORTEX puts more weight on short interest, insider data, and quant. They overlap in 7 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do LIQN and ORTEX cost?
Good news: both LIQN and ORTEX have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use LIQN or ORTEX on my phone?
ORTEX lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. LIQN doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does LIQN or ORTEX have an API?
ORTEX has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. LIQN doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose LIQN or ORTEX?
It depends on what you're after. Pick LIQN if factor exposure and risk metrics matter to you; go with ORTEX if you'd rather have insider data and index rebalancing. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do LIQN and ORTEX cover?
Both cover stocks. ORTEX adds ETFs, options, and currencies on top.
Do LIQN and ORTEX offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Which covers international markets: LIQN or ORTEX?
ORTEX has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, and APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. LIQN is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from LIQN and ORTEX?
ORTEX exports to CSV. LIQN is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: LIQN or ORTEX?
ORTEX has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; LIQN doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
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.