VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Source checks: MarketBeat checked September 30, 2026 · Zacks (Zacks.com) checked September 24, 2026
Tool Comparison
MarketBeat vs Zacks (Zacks.com)
- Paid from
- $20.75/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
Best if
- You want dividends, insider data, and institutional ownership.
- Paid from
- $20.75/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile
Best if
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want scores and ETF analysis.
Pick MarketBeat if
MarketBeat
Free • From $249/yr · Web
- You want dividends, insider data, and institutional ownership.
Pick Zacks (Zacks.com) if
Zacks (Zacks.com)
Free • From $249/yr · Web · Mobile
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want scores and ETF analysis.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOther tools you might like
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Not set on either one? See the top 50 tools, ranked by user votes, or the deals page for big discounts on popular tools.
Our take
The bottom line
MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com) cover a lot of the same ground (10 shared categories, including screeners, ETF screeners, and analyst ratings & price targets), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. MarketBeat includes dividends and insider data, and Zacks (Zacks.com) includes scores and ETF analysis.
What readers say
MarketBeat
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Zacks (Zacks.com)
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- Zacks (Zacks.com)
- Free trial
- Zacks (Zacks.com)30 days
- Mobile app
- Zacks (Zacks.com)
- Broker sync
- MarketBeat
- Asset coverage
- Zacks (Zacks.com)Adds mutual funds
- Free plan
- Both
What MarketBeat does best
- Review ratings and price targets.
- Filter stocks and dividend candidates.
- Compare companies side by side.
- Inspect earnings and dividend histories.
- Follow updates for selected stocks.
What Zacks (Zacks.com) does best
- Zacks Rank scores from #1 to #5 and Zacks Industry Rank on company pages for earnings-revision research.
- Comparison tools for Value, Growth, and Momentum Style Scores alongside the rank when screening or reviewing individual stocks.
- Screening for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds with hundreds of filters, with 45+ Premium Screens gated behind paid access.
- Direct access to ticker pages with analyst forecasts, earnings estimates, price targets, company research, and related market context.
- Review Price-Consensus-EPS Surprise charts that connect historical estimates, actual earnings, and surprise patterns.
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 • From $249/yr | Free • From $249/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | 30 days |
Plan limits | Free / Daily Ratings: watchlist stocks: 10 | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | Yes | No |
Integrations | Plaid | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders and Analysts | — |
Categories covered | 14 | 12 |
Regions | North America, Europe | North America, Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +1 more |
Capabilities | Broker sync | Factors: Value, Momentum, and Growth |
| Try it | Visit MarketBeat | Visit Zacks (Zacks.com) |
Standout features
The best features of MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com).ShowHide
Standout features
What MarketBeat does best
- Review ratings and price targets.
- Filter stocks and dividend candidates.
- Compare companies side by side.
- Inspect earnings and dividend histories.
- Follow updates for selected stocks.
What Zacks (Zacks.com) does best
- Zacks Rank scores from #1 to #5 and Zacks Industry Rank on company pages for earnings-revision research.
- Comparison tools for Value, Growth, and Momentum Style Scores alongside the rank when screening or reviewing individual stocks.
- Screening for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds with hundreds of filters, with 45+ Premium Screens gated behind paid access.
- Direct access to ticker pages with analyst forecasts, earnings estimates, price targets, company research, and related market context.
- Review Price-Consensus-EPS Surprise charts that connect historical estimates, actual earnings, and surprise patterns.
All details
Every attribute we track for MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com).ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFs | StocksETFsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersAnalysts | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEurope | North AmericaEurope |
Coverage details | Countries: US, CA, and GBIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | EOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Plaid | Manual |
Integrations | Plaid | Not specified |
Export formats | CSVExcel | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Broker sync | Factors: Value, Momentum, and Growth |
Vendor & support | MarketBeat Media, LLCSupport: Email and Phone | Zacks Investment Research |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
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 / Daily Ratings”watchlist stocks: 10 | Free |
| Entry paid plan | $249/yr≈ $20.75/mo“All Access” | $249/yr≈ $20.75/mo“Premium Annual” |
| Tier 2 | $29/mo“All Access” | $495/yr≈ $41.25/mo“Investor Collection Annual” |
| Tier 3 | — | $59/mo“Investor Collection Monthly” |
| Tier 4 | — | $2995/yr≈ $249.58/mo“Ultimate Annual” |
| Top plan | — | $299/mo“Ultimate Monthly” |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com)?
MarketBeat leans toward screeners, ETF screeners, and analyst ratings & price targets, while Zacks (Zacks.com) puts more weight on screeners, ETF screeners, and watchlist. They overlap in 10 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com) cost?
Good news: both MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com) have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: MarketBeat or Zacks (Zacks.com)?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Can I use MarketBeat or Zacks (Zacks.com) on my phone?
Zacks (Zacks.com) lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. MarketBeat doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Should I choose MarketBeat or Zacks (Zacks.com)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick MarketBeat if dividends and insider data matter to you; go with Zacks (Zacks.com) if you'd rather have scores and ETF analysis. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com) cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. Zacks (Zacks.com) adds mutual funds on top.
Does MarketBeat or Zacks (Zacks.com) have real-time data?
Zacks (Zacks.com) offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. MarketBeat runs on delayed or end-of-day data, which is perfectly fine for longer-term investors who don't live and die by the tick.
Can I export data from MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com)?
MarketBeat exports to CSV and Excel. Zacks (Zacks.com) is stingier about getting data out.
Can MarketBeat or Zacks (Zacks.com) connect to my broker?
MarketBeat syncs with brokers automatically. With Zacks (Zacks.com), you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: MarketBeat or Zacks (Zacks.com)?
Both MarketBeat and Zacks (Zacks.com) include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
Can I track my portfolio with MarketBeat or Zacks (Zacks.com)?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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.