MarketWatch adds Calendar, Paper Trading, Options, Analyst Price Targets, IPO, and Newsletters coverage that YCharts skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
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Saturday, November 8, 2025
Tool Comparison
MarketWatch vs YCharts comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
YCharts includes Stock Comparison, ETF Comparison, Portfolio, Correlation, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Performance Attribution, Scenario & Stress Tests, Data APIs, Scores, ETF Performance, ETF Fundamentals, ETF Overlap, Analyst Forecasts, Inflation Rates, Unemployment Rates, GDP, APIs & SDKs, Sheets / Excel Add-ins, and Broker Connectors categories that MarketWatch omits.
MarketWatch has a free tier, while YCharts requires a paid plan.
MarketWatch ships a mobile app. YCharts is web/desktop only.
In depth comparison
MarketWatch
marketwatch.com
A global financial-news portal from Dow Jones that combines market data, news, analysis, and investor tools. Real-time Nasdaq last-sale quotes are included, while most other intraday prices run on a standard 15-minute delay. Premium newsletters and in-depth articles are gated behind a subscription. Mobile apps extend the experience with push alerts and watchlist syncing.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Market data hub with stock and market screeners, mutual fund research, fund comparison, and multi-quote lookup tools.
- Personal watchlists available free with an account; syncs across web and mobile apps with customizable price and news alerts.
- Comprehensive event calendars, including U.S. economic releases, corporate earnings, IPO schedules, and options-expiration dates.
- BigCharts advanced charting platform with multiple timeframes (intraday to monthly) and technical overlays; intraday data typically delayed 15 minutes.
- Options coverage with full chains per symbol and an expiration calendar.
Community votes (overall)
YCharts
ycharts.com
Advisor-focused research, portfolio analytics, and proposal platform. Lower tiers are more view-only, while add-ons unlock the Excel add-in and broader fund/SMA datasets. Intraday quotes are available on a short delay (about 90–120 seconds).
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Research workspace with Fundamental Charts, robust screeners, comp tables, scatter plots, scenario tools, and Quickflows to speed common tasks.
- Portfolio analytics for model and client accounts: optimizer and rebalancing (daily through annual), correlation matrices, attribution and transition analysis, drift/overlap checks, and exposure breakdowns.
- Broad data coverage: U.S. and Canadian equities, ETFs and CEFs, plus mutual funds and SMAs as add-ons; 4,000+ fundamental metrics, S&P Global analyst estimates, MSCI ESG datasets, and a large set of macro indicators.
- Monitoring built in: dashboards, watchlists, alerts, and a live news feed (MT Newswires). Intraday quotes update on a short delay (~90–120 seconds).
- Excel & API: an add-on Excel add-in with dynamic formulas/templates, a REST API with API keys and official Python/R clients, and exports to CSV/Excel/PDF/images.
Community votes (overall)
Where they differ
MarketWatch
Distinct strengths include:
- Market data hub with stock and market screeners, mutual fund research, fund comparison, and multi-quote lookup tools.
- Personal watchlists available free with an account; syncs across web and mobile apps with customizable price and news alerts.
- Comprehensive event calendars, including U.S. economic releases, corporate earnings, IPO schedules, and options-expiration dates.
- BigCharts advanced charting platform with multiple timeframes (intraday to monthly) and technical overlays; intraday data typically delayed 15 minutes.
YCharts
Distinct strengths include:
- Research workspace with Fundamental Charts, robust screeners, comp tables, scatter plots, scenario tools, and Quickflows to speed common tasks.
- Portfolio analytics for model and client accounts: optimizer and rebalancing (daily through annual), correlation matrices, attribution and transition analysis, drift/overlap checks, and exposure breakdowns.
- Broad data coverage: U.S. and Canadian equities, ETFs and CEFs, plus mutual funds and SMAs as add-ons; 4,000+ fundamental metrics, S&P Global analyst estimates, MSCI ESG datasets, and a large set of macro indicators.
- Monitoring built in: dashboards, watchlists, alerts, and a live news feed (MT Newswires). Intraday quotes update on a short delay (~90–120 seconds).
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | MarketWatch | YCharts |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: News, Alerts, Screeners, Data Visualizations, Watchlist, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, Insider Data, Short Interest, Interest Rates, Yield Curves Unique: Calendar, Paper Trading, Options, Analyst Price Targets, IPO, Newsletters | Shared: News, Alerts, Screeners, Data Visualizations, Watchlist, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, Insider Data, Short Interest, Interest Rates, Yield Curves Unique: Stock Comparison, ETF Comparison, Portfolio, Correlation, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Performance Attribution, Scenario & Stress Tests, Data APIs, Scores, ETF Performance, ETF Fundamentals, ETF Overlap, Analyst Forecasts, Inflation Rates, Unemployment Rates, GDP, APIs & SDKs, Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Options, Futures, Commodities, Currencies, Cryptos, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Closed-End Funds |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, Mobile | Web, API |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free, Subscription | Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Yes | Yes |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do MarketWatch and YCharts both support?
Both platforms cover News, Alerts, Screeners, Data Visualizations, Watchlist, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, Insider Data, Short Interest, Interest Rates, and Yield Curves workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Which tool offers a free plan?
MarketWatch offers a free entry point, while YCharts requires a paid subscription. Review the pricing table to see how the paid tiers compare.
Which tool has mobile access?
MarketWatch ships a dedicated mobile experience, while YCharts focuses on web or desktop access.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
MarketWatch differentiates itself with Market data hub with stock and market screeners, mutual fund research, fund comparison, and multi-quote lookup tools., Personal watchlists available free with an account; syncs across web and mobile apps with customizable price and news alerts., and Comprehensive event calendars, including U.S. economic releases, corporate earnings, IPO schedules, and options-expiration dates., whereas YCharts stands out for Research workspace with Fundamental Charts, robust screeners, comp tables, scatter plots, scenario tools, and Quickflows to speed common tasks., Portfolio analytics for model and client accounts: optimizer and rebalancing (daily through annual), correlation matrices, attribution and transition analysis, drift/overlap checks, and exposure breakdowns., and Broad data coverage: U.S. and Canadian equities, ETFs and CEFs, plus mutual funds and SMAs as add-ons; 4,000+ fundamental metrics, S&P Global analyst estimates, MSCI ESG datasets, and a large set of macro indicators..
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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.