VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
Magic Formula Investing vs Value Investors Club (VIC)
Pick Magic Formula Investing if
Magic Formula Investing
Free · Web
- You want screeners.
- You're newer to investing and want something approachable
Pick Value Investors Club (VIC) if
Value Investors Club (VIC)
Free · Web
- You want forums.
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
Magic Formula Investing includes screeners, and Value Investors Club (VIC) includes forums. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
Magic Formula Investing
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Value Investors Club (VIC)
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- Value Investors Club (VIC)Adds bonds
- Beginner friendly
- Magic Formula Investing
- 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 |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 2 | 2 |
Regions | North America | — |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 3 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +1 more | — |
| Try it | Visit Magic Formula Investing | Visit Value Investors Club (VIC) |
Where each one shines
What Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) each do best.What Magic Formula Investing does best
- The official Magic Formula screener with two inputs, minimum market cap and either 30 or 50 results.
- Screening for companies ranked on high earnings yield and high return on capital, with the accounting adjustments described by the official methodology.
- A narrow value and quality idea list for further research.
- Focus on U.S.-listed equities because the official universe excludes foreign companies and ADRs.
- Financial and utility companies are excluded from the official screen.
What Value Investors Club (VIC) does best
- Long-form investment writeups from a selective member community.
- Free email registration for ideas published at least 45 days earlier.
- An application route for complete access without the guest delay.
- Member messages and discussion around individual investment ideas.
- An archive with thousands of ideas from investors around the world.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC), side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC), side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | Stocks | StocksBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | IntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | Not specified |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker | Not specified |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Not specified | Value Investors Club, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 1999Support: Email |
Curation ratings | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 3/5 | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 3/5 |
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 | Free“Guest delayed access” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC)?
Magic Formula Investing leans toward screeners and stock ideas, while Value Investors Club (VIC) puts more weight on stock ideas and forums. They overlap in 1 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) cost?
Good news: both Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: Magic Formula Investing or Value Investors Club (VIC)?
Magic Formula Investing is the friendlier place to start; its interface takes less getting used to. Both work fine once you're past the basics.
Should I choose Magic Formula Investing or Value Investors Club (VIC)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Magic Formula Investing if screeners matter to you; go with Value Investors Club (VIC) if you'd rather have forums. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) cover?
Both cover stocks. Value Investors Club (VIC) adds bonds on top.
Which has a better stock screener: Magic Formula Investing or Value Investors Club (VIC)?
Magic Formula Investing has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Value Investors Club (VIC) doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
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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.