★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: Value Line checked August 4, 2026
Tool Comparison
Magic Formula Investing vs Value Line
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 care about watchlist, alerts, and financials, things Magic Formula Investing doesn't offer
- 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.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
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.
What readers say
Magic Formula Investing
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Value Line
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- Value LineAdds ETFs and mutual funds
- Free trial
- Value Line14 days
- Broader coverage
- Value Line12 vs 2 categories
- 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 $199/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | 14 days |
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 |
Where each one shines
What Magic Formula Investing and Value Line each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Magic Formula Investing and Value Line each do best.What Magic Formula Investing does best
- Tools for running the official Magic Formula screener with only two inputs: minimum market cap and either 30 or 50 ranked results.
- Screening for companies ranked on high earnings yield and high return on capital, with the accounting adjustments described by the official methodology.
- Magic Formula Investing serves as a simple value-quality idea list before checking financial statements, business quality, debt, cyclicality, and current valuation context.
- Focus on U.S.-listed equities because the official universe excludes foreign companies and ADRs.
- Sector exclusions: financial and utility companies are removed from the official screen.
What Value Line does best
- Value Line equity reports for current and historical financials, analyst commentary, 3- to 5-year projections, target ranges, and company context.
- Views for reviewing proprietary Timeliness and Safety ranks as Value Line research inputs rather than standalone buy or sell instructions.
- Digital equity package tools such as stock screeners, saved searches, watchlists, alerts, customizable templates, charting, and model portfolios where included.
- Choice of Smart Investor, Investor 600, Savvy Investor, and other equity services depending on coverage universe and tool needs.
- Separate Fund Advisor, ETF, Options Survey, and selection-service products when fund, ETF, options, or newsletter-style recommendations are the focus.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Magic Formula Investing and Value Line, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Magic Formula Investing and Value Line, side by side.| 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.
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“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” |
| Tier 3 | — | $395/yr≈ $32.92/mo“New 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” |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
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.
Keep researching
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Feedback
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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.