VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
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Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Tool Comparison · Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Magic Formula Investing vs Morningstar Investor
Magic Formula Investing vs Morningstar Investor: which investing tool fits your workflow? Compare pricing, features, platforms, and verdict in seconds.
Magic Formula Investing
magicformulainvesting.com
Best for screeners, and stock ideas
- Pricing
- Free
- Platforms
- Web
Morningstar Investor
morningstar.com
Best for stock comparison, and portfolio
- Pricing
- From $249/yr
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile
Outbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Comparison snapshot
Who should choose which?
Choose
Magic Formula Investing if…
- You need straightforward screener with only two inputs: minimum market cap (usd, millions) and number of results (30 or 50).
- You need universe restricted to u.s.-listed equities, excluding financial and utility companies.
- You need ranks companies on two factors: high earnings yield (low p/e) and high return on capital, with minor accounting adjustments.
- You need update cadence: price data refreshed daily around 8:00 am et on trading days; financial data updated quarterly.
Choose
Morningstar Investor if…
- You need a mobile app for on-the-go research
- You’re a long-term or value-focused investor
- You need screeners: create your own screens using 200+ unique data points; save custom views for portfolios, watchlists, and screeners.
- You need investment discovery: pre‑filtered investment lists plus the ability to find/compare securities using valuation and performance metrics (described as spanning global company & share‑class data).
Consider alternatives if…
- You want broader category coverage in one tool.
- Neither pricing tier fits your budget.
Side-by-side feature breakdown
| Attribute | Magic Formula Investing | Morningstar Investor |
|---|---|---|
Asset types | Stocks | StocksETFsMutual FundsClosed-End FundsFunds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | Not specified |
Data freshness | End of Day | Not specified |
API access | Not specified | Not specified |
Export formats | Not specified | Not specified |
Seen enough? Open either tool and try it now.
Pricing breakdown
Tool
Magic Formula Investing
—
Starting price
Plans & pricing
Tool
Morningstar Investor
$20.75/mo
Starting price
Plans & pricing
Coverage overlap
Categories covered by Magic Formula Investing only.
No unique categories.
Categories covered by Morningstar Investor only.
Community category leaders
Vote sentiment comparison
Loading sentiment chart...
Still deciding? Get hands-on with both — most plans offer a free tier or trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Magic Formula Investing and Morningstar Investor?
Magic Formula Investing focuses on Screeners, and Stock Ideas while Morningstar Investor specializes in Stock Ideas, Screeners, and Stock Comparison. They overlap in 2 categories, so choose based on your preferred workflow and pricing.
How much do Magic Formula Investing and Morningstar Investor cost?
Good news—both Magic Formula Investing and Morningstar Investor offer free plans. You can try each platform without commitment and only pay when you need premium features.
Can I use Magic Formula Investing or Morningstar Investor on my phone?
Morningstar Investor has a mobile app so you can check your research on the go. Magic Formula Investing is web-only, so you'll need a browser to access it from mobile devices.
Should I choose Magic Formula Investing or Morningstar Investor?
Choose Magic Formula Investing if you need Straightforward screener with only two inputs: minimum market cap (USD, millions) and number of results (30 or 50)., and Universe restricted to U.S.-listed equities, excluding financial and utility companies.. Go with Morningstar Investor if Screeners: create your own screens using 200+ unique data points; save custom views for portfolios, watchlists, and screeners., and Investment discovery: pre‑filtered investment lists plus the ability to find/compare securities using valuation and performance metrics (described as spanning global company & share‑class data). better fits how you invest.
What asset classes do Magic Formula Investing and Morningstar Investor cover?
Both cover Stocks. Morningstar Investor adds coverage for ETFs, Mutual Funds, Closed-End Funds, and Funds.
Which has a better stock screener—Magic Formula Investing or Morningstar Investor?
Both Magic Formula Investing and Morningstar Investor include stock screeners. Try each to see which filtering options and interface you prefer.
Can I track my portfolio with Magic Formula Investing or Morningstar Investor?
Morningstar Investor offers portfolio tracking features. Magic Formula Investing is more focused on research and analysis.
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.