VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Tool Comparison

MarketWatch vs Total Real Returns comparison

Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.

MarketWatch logo

MarketWatch

marketwatch.com

PricingFree, Subscription
PlatformsWeb, Mobile
Hands-on review
Total Real Returns logo

Total Real Returns

totalrealreturns.com

PricingFree
PlatformsWeb
Top 50 Investing ToolsThe global ranking of the best investing tools, ranked by community votes.

At a glance

Platforms
MarketWatchWeb, Mobile
Total Real ReturnsWeb
Categories
MarketWatch18
Total Real Returns2
Pricing details

Tool

MarketWatch

Starting price

Free tierYes
Free trial

Plans & pricing

FreeFree
SubscriptionSubscription

Tool

Total Real Returns

Starting price

Free tierNo
Free trial

Plans & pricing

Pricing not published

Category leaders
ScreenersMarketWatch
WatchlistMarketWatch
NewsMarketWatch
AlertsMarketWatch
FinancialsMarketWatch
Insider DataMarketWatch
Short InterestMarketWatch
Browse the #1 tool in 90+ categories

Vote sentiment comparison

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Platform details

AttributeMarketWatchTotal Real Returns
Asset types
StocksETFsMutual FundsOptionsFuturesCommoditiesCurrenciesCryptosBonds
StocksETFsMutual FundsCurrencies
Experience
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
BeginnerIntermediate
Regions
North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica
Not specified
Data freshness
Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day
End of Day
API access
Not specifiedNot specified
Export formats
CSV
Not specified

Coverage overlap

Shared categories1

Categories where both tools offer overlapping coverage.

Total Real Returns strengths1

Categories covered by Total Real Returns only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between MarketWatch and Total Real Returns?

MarketWatch focuses on News, Alerts, and Calendar while Total Real Returns specializes in Data Visualizations, and Risk Metrics. They overlap in 1 categories, so choose based on your preferred workflow and pricing.

How much do MarketWatch and Total Real Returns cost?

Good news—both MarketWatch and Total Real Returns offer free plans. You can try each platform without commitment and only pay when you need premium features.

Which is better for beginners—MarketWatch or Total Real Returns?

Both platforms target experienced investors. If you're just starting out, expect a learning curve with either option.

Can I use MarketWatch or Total Real Returns on my phone?

MarketWatch has a mobile app so you can check your research on the go. Total Real Returns is web-only, so you'll need a browser to access it from mobile devices.

Should I choose MarketWatch or Total Real Returns?

Choose MarketWatch if you need Market data hub with stock and market screeners, mutual fund research, fund comparison, and multi-quote lookup tools., and Personal watchlists available free with an account; syncs across web and mobile apps with customizable price and news alerts.. Go with Total Real Returns if CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view)., and Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages. better fits how you invest.

What asset classes do MarketWatch and Total Real Returns cover?

Both cover Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, and Currencies. MarketWatch also includes Options, Futures, Commodities, Cryptos, and Bonds.

Does MarketWatch or Total Real Returns have real-time data?

MarketWatch offers real-time data feeds, which is essential for active traders. Total Real Returns uses delayed or end-of-day data, which works fine for longer-term investors who don't need up-to-the-second quotes.

Can I export data from MarketWatch and Total Real Returns?

MarketWatch supports data exports to CSV. Total Real Returns has more limited export options.

Which has a better stock screener—MarketWatch or Total Real Returns?

MarketWatch includes a stock screener for finding investment ideas. Total Real Returns focuses on other analytical tools.

Keep Exploring

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.