Tool Comparison
Magic Formula Investing vs Value Line
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
Best if
- Paid from
- $16.58/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
Best if
- You want watchlist, alerts, and financials.
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Pick Magic Formula Investing instead if
Magic Formula Investing
Free · Web
- Go this way if it's completely free.
Start here
Value Line
Free • From $199/yr · Web
- You want watchlist, alerts, and financials.
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Magic Formula Investing and Value Line cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, screeners and stock ideas), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Value Line simply does more: 12 categories to Magic Formula Investing's 2, including watchlist, alerts, and financials. Magic Formula Investing counters by being completely free.
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Magic Formula Investing
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Value Line
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- Value LineAdds ETFs and mutual funds
- Broader coverage
- Value Line12 vs 2 categories
- Free plan
- Both
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 Line does best
- Single-page equity reports combine historical financials, analyst commentary, three-to-five-year projections, and target ranges.
- Timeliness ranks estimate relative six-to-twelve-month price performance; Safety ranks address relative risk.
- Digital equity tools include movable data modules, saved templates, screens, watchlists, alerts, charts, and model portfolios.
- The current site states coverage of 5,000 equities, more than 2,800 ETFs, and 19,000 mutual funds across its services.
- Funds, ETFs, options, and stock-selection publications are sold separately from core equity research.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free | Free • From $199/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | 6 limits: Investment Survey - Smart Investor (Digital): saved screener searches: 10, Investment Survey - Smart Investor (Digital): watchlists: 3 +4 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +3 more |
Categories covered | 2 | 12 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 3 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +1 more | — |
Capabilities | — | Universe builder |
| Try it | Visit Magic Formula Investing | Visit Value Line |
Standout features
The best features of Magic Formula Investing and Value Line.ShowHide
Standout features
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 Line does best
- Single-page equity reports combine historical financials, analyst commentary, three-to-five-year projections, and target ranges.
- Timeliness ranks estimate relative six-to-twelve-month price performance; Safety ranks address relative risk.
- Digital equity tools include movable data modules, saved templates, screens, watchlists, alerts, charts, and model portfolios.
- The current site states coverage of 5,000 equities, more than 2,800 ETFs, and 19,000 mutual funds across its services.
- Funds, ETFs, options, and stock-selection publications are sold separately from core equity research.
All details
Every attribute we track for Magic Formula Investing and Value Line.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | Stocks | StocksETFsMutual FundsOptions |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsDividend Investors |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | End of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Not specified | Universe builder |
Vendor & support | Not specified | Value Line, Inc.Founded 1931 |
Curation ratings | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 3/5 | Not specified |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free | Free“Free newsletters” |
| Entry paid plan | — | $199/yr≈ $16.58/mo“Investment Survey - Investor 600 (Digital)” |
| Tier 2 | — | $345/yr≈ $28.75/mo“Fund Advisor Plus - Digital Edition” |
| Tier 3 | — | $345/yr≈ $28.75/mo“Value Line ETFs Service” |
| Tier 4 | — | $598/yr≈ $49.83/mo“Investment Survey - Smart Investor (Digital)”saved screener searches: 10 · watchlists: 3 · +4 more |
| Tier 5 | — | $695/yr≈ $57.92/mo“Value Line Select Online” |
| Tier 6 | — | $795/yr≈ $66.25/mo“Investment Survey - Savvy Investor (Digital)” |
| Top plan | — | Subscription“Value Line Options Survey” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Magic Formula Investing and Value Line?
Magic Formula Investing leans toward screeners and stock ideas, while Value Line puts more weight on screeners, stock ideas, and watchlist. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Magic Formula Investing and Value Line cost?
Good news: both Magic Formula Investing and Value Line have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Should I choose Magic Formula Investing or Value Line?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Magic Formula Investing if you prefer its overall approach; go with Value Line if you'd rather have watchlist and alerts. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Magic Formula Investing and Value Line cover?
Both cover stocks. Value Line adds ETFs, mutual funds, and options on top.
Which has a better stock screener: Magic Formula Investing or Value Line?
Both Magic Formula Investing and Value Line include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
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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.