Tool Comparison
MarketSurge vs StockCharts
Pick MarketSurge if
MarketSurge
From $149.95/mo, billed monthly · Web · Mobile
- You want stock ideas, ETF screeners, and news.
Pick StockCharts if
StockCharts
Free • From $19.95/mo, billed monthly · Web · Mobile
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want a lower paid starting price: $19.95/mo, billed monthly instead of $149.95/mo, billed monthly
- You want portfolio, calendar, and options.
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
MarketSurge and StockCharts cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including screeners, data visualizations, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. MarketSurge simply does more: 14 categories to StockCharts's 9, including stock ideas, ETF screeners, and news. StockCharts counters by letting you start free.
What readers say
MarketSurge
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Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- StockCharts
- Cheaper paid plan
- StockCharts$19.95/mo, billed monthly vs $149.95/mo, billed monthly
- Free trial
- StockCharts30 days
- Broader coverage
- MarketSurge14 vs 9 categories
- Beginner friendly
- StockCharts
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | From $149.95/mo, billed monthly | Free • From $19.95/mo, billed monthly |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | 30 days |
Plan limits | Intro Offer: term: 30 days on the current web offer and Intro Offer: renewal: $149.95/month after the promotional period | 14 limits: Basic: chart lists: 1, Basic: custom scans: 1 +12 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | No | No |
Integrations | — | Tradier Brokerage and OptionsPlay |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +2 more | — |
Categories covered | 14 | 9 |
Regions | — | North America, Europe, APAC |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | Latency: Real-time and Granularity: Minute and EOD | 5 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +3 more |
Capabilities | Universe builder and Factors: Growth and Momentum | 3 signals: Custom formulas, Universe builder +1 more |
| Try it | Visit MarketSurge | Visit StockCharts |
Standout features
The best features of MarketSurge and StockCharts.ShowHide
Standout features
What MarketSurge does best
- IBD-style stock and ETF research workflows built around charts, ratings, curated lists, buy points, and sell signals.
- Discovery tools for ideas through curated lists such as Growth 250, Breaking Out Today, Near Pivot, RS Line Blue Dot, and Ants.
- Automated Pattern Recognition to highlight base patterns, buy zones, profit zones, and loss zones where supported.
- Review proprietary IBD ratings, earnings and sales histories, institutional ownership, and 70+ technical or fundamental data points described in mobile listings.
- Screening for stocks and ETFs with customizable criteria and a promotional database reference of 8,000+ stocks and ETFs.
What StockCharts does best
- Create SharpCharts, ACP charts, Point & Figure charts, Seasonality charts, Relative Rotation Graphs, PerfCharts, and saved layouts.
- Use ChartLists as watchlists or portfolios and import symbols from CSV.
- Run custom scans on daily, weekly, or monthly bars.
- Create price alerts and advanced alerts that can notify through email, SMS, and in-platform messages during market hours.
- Free U.S.
All details
Every attribute we track for MarketSurge and StockCharts.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsMutual FundsFunds | StocksETFsMutual FundsOptionsCommoditiesCryptos |
Experience | IntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailSwing TradersGrowth Investors | Not specified |
Regions | Not specified | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | 4 countries7 exchangesIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-time | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day |
Data granularity | MinuteEOD | MinuteEOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Not specified | CSVManual |
Integrations | Not specified | Tradier BrokerageOptionsPlay |
Export formats | Not specified | CSVImage |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builderFactors: Growth and Momentum | Custom formulasUniverse builderGreeks |
Vendor & support | Investor's Business Daily, Inc.Country: USSupport: Email, Phone, and Chat | StockCharts.com, Inc.Country: USFounded 1999Support: Email |
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 |
| Entry paid plan | $24.95“Intro Offer”term: 30 days on the current web offer · renewal: $149.95/month after the promotional period | $19.95/moBilled monthly“Basic”chart lists: 1 · custom scans: 1 · +2 more |
| Tier 2 | $1499/yrBilled annually≈ $124.92/mo“Premium Annual” | $29.95/moBilled monthly“Extra”chart lists: 250 · custom scans: 200 · +3 more |
| Top plan | $149.95/moBilled monthly“Premium Monthly” | $49.95/moBilled monthly“PRO”chart lists: 500 · custom scans: 500 · +3 more |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between MarketSurge and StockCharts?
MarketSurge leans toward stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, while StockCharts puts more weight on screeners, data visualizations, and alerts. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is MarketSurge or StockCharts free to use?
StockCharts has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. MarketSurge is paid-only. If budget matters, start with StockCharts and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Which is better for beginners: MarketSurge or StockCharts?
StockCharts 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 MarketSurge or StockCharts?
It depends on what you're after. Pick MarketSurge if stock ideas and ETF screeners matter to you; go with StockCharts if you'd rather have portfolio and calendar. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do MarketSurge and StockCharts cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. MarketSurge also handles funds. StockCharts adds options, commodities, and cryptos on top.
Do MarketSurge and StockCharts offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Can I export data from MarketSurge and StockCharts?
StockCharts exports to CSV. MarketSurge is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: MarketSurge or StockCharts?
Both MarketSurge and StockCharts 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 MarketSurge or StockCharts?
StockCharts handles portfolio tracking. MarketSurge is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio 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.