★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
MarketScreener vs OptionCharts
MarketScreener
Best for news and alerts
Free • From $59/mo
OptionCharts
Best for options and options p&l
Free • From $20/mo
Outbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
The verdict
The bottom line
MarketScreener and OptionCharts cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including screeners, data visualizations, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. MarketScreener simply does more: 16 categories to OptionCharts's 6, including news, alerts, and calendar, plus a mobile app. OptionCharts counters by starting cheaper at $20/mo.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- MarketScreener
- Cheaper paid plan
- OptionCharts$20/mo vs $59/mo
- Free trial
- OptionCharts7 days
- Broader coverage
- MarketScreener16 vs 6 categories
- Real-time data
- OptionCharts
- Global coverage
- MarketScreener
Choose
MarketScreener if…
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about news, alerts, and calendar, things OptionCharts doesn't offer
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Choose
OptionCharts if…
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $20/mo instead of $59/mo
- You care about options and options p&l, things MarketScreener doesn't offer
Comparison snapshot
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free • From $59/mo | Free • From $20/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | 7 days |
Plan limits | 4 limits: Premium: annual billing usd: 600, Premium: annual equivalent monthly usd: 50 +2 more | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +4 more | — |
Categories covered | 16 | 6 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +1 more |
Data partners | 3 partners: FactSet, Morningstar +1 more | — |
Capabilities | Universe builder | Multi-leg options and Greeks |
| Try it | Visit MarketScreener | Visit OptionCharts |
Standout features
What MarketScreener does best
- Market news + quotes with broad coverage across equities, ETFs, commodities, currencies/forex and cryptocurrencies.
- Custom watchlists ("My lists") with real-time quotes, news, earnings releases, valuation trends, broker recommendations, and smart email alerts.
- Stock Screener with 650+ fundamental and technical criteria; current subscription pages describe Premium Stock Screener as +300 filters and Expert Stock Screener as +600 filters.
- Dynamic Chart with configurable technical indicators and quick switching between stocks and personal lists; technical indicators available on 30,000+ listed stocks.
- Thematic investment lists (70+) for idea discovery; cross-reference themes with the screener and compare against index trends / past performance.
What OptionCharts does best
- Interactive Option Strategy Profit & Loss chart with multi‑leg templates (e.g., covered call, verticals, iron condor, calendar).
- Per‑ticker chart library: volume, open interest, greeks (Δ, Γ, Θ, ν), implied vol skew, max pain, expected move, probability distribution.
- Gamma Exposure (GEX) and Delta Exposure (DEX) visualizations.
- Option Contract History (price, volume, OI, greeks) with intraday history (up to ~1‑minute intervals) and extended history.
- Market Trends screens: most active by ticker/contract, highest OI, IV/IV rank, unusual activity, and options flow.
Data & access details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsCommoditiesCurrenciesCryptos | OptionsStocksETFs |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsGrowth InvestorsDividend Investors | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | MinuteEOD |
Data partners | FactSetMorningstarS&P Global Market Intelligence | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | Not specified | CSV |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builder | Multi-leg optionsGreeks |
Vendor & support | Surperformance SASCountry: France | OptionCharts, LLCCountry: USSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing breakdown
$59/mo
Starting price
Plans & pricing
- annual billing usd: 600
- annual equivalent monthly usd: 50
- annual billing usd: 2,628
- annual equivalent monthly usd: 219
$20/mo
Lower starting price
Plans & pricing
Coverage overlap
Shared categories
4Where the two tools cover the same ground.
MarketScreener strengths
12What you only get with MarketScreener.
OptionCharts strengths
2What you only get with OptionCharts.
Community category leaders
Vote sentiment comparison
Loading sentiment chart...
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between MarketScreener and OptionCharts?
MarketScreener leans toward news, alerts, and calendar, while OptionCharts puts more weight on data visualizations, options, and watchlist. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do MarketScreener and OptionCharts cost?
Good news: both MarketScreener and OptionCharts have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use MarketScreener or OptionCharts on my phone?
MarketScreener lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. OptionCharts doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Should I choose MarketScreener or OptionCharts?
It depends on what you're after. Pick MarketScreener if news and alerts matter to you; go with OptionCharts if you'd rather have options and options p&l. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do MarketScreener and OptionCharts cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. MarketScreener also handles commodities, currencies, and cryptos. OptionCharts adds options on top.
Does MarketScreener or OptionCharts have real-time data?
OptionCharts offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. MarketScreener 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.
Which covers international markets: MarketScreener or OptionCharts?
MarketScreener has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. OptionCharts is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from MarketScreener and OptionCharts?
OptionCharts exports to CSV. MarketScreener is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: MarketScreener or OptionCharts?
Both MarketScreener and OptionCharts 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 MarketScreener or OptionCharts?
MarketScreener handles portfolio tracking. OptionCharts is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Other tools you might like
These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.
Keep Exploring
Global rankings of the highest-rated tools across all categories.
Ranked list of companies with durable competitive advantages.
Proven models entering their growth phase with solid economics.
Track votes, sentiment, and engagement across the community.
Learn moat types, red flags, and real-company examples.
Browse other head-to-head tool comparisons and alternatives.
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.