★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
MarketXLS vs OptionCharts
Start here
MarketXLS
From $70/mo · Desktop · Web
- You care about sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and monte carlo, things OptionCharts doesn't offer
Pick OptionCharts instead if
OptionCharts
Free • From $20/mo · Web
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $20/mo instead of $70/mo
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
MarketXLS and OptionCharts cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including screeners, options, and options p&l), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. MarketXLS simply does more: 16 categories to OptionCharts's 6, including sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and monte carlo. OptionCharts counters by letting you start free.
What readers say
MarketXLS
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
OptionCharts
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- OptionCharts
- Cheaper paid plan
- OptionCharts$20/mo vs $70/mo
- Broader coverage
- MarketXLS16 vs 6 categories
- Desktop app
- MarketXLS
- Global coverage
- MarketXLS
- Asset coverage
- MarketXLSAdds mutual funds and currencies
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | From $70/mo | Free • From $20/mo |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 3 limits: Standard: annual price usd: 850, Advanced: annual price usd: 1,500 +1 more | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | Yes | No |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | No | No |
Integrations | Interactive Brokers, Thinkorswim +10 more | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 16 | 6 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +2 more | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +1 more |
Capabilities | 5 signals: Factors: Value, Quality, and Momentum, Multi-leg options +3 more | Multi-leg options and Greeks |
Security | Status page | — |
| Try it | Visit MarketXLS | Visit OptionCharts |
Where each one shines
What MarketXLS and OptionCharts each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What MarketXLS and OptionCharts each do best.What MarketXLS does best
- MarketXLS in Excel for Windows, Mac, and Excel Online, with 1,000+ spreadsheet functions for market data and analytics.
- Access to quotes, fundamentals, historical statements, ETF data, options data, mutual-fund data, crypto pairs, FRED economic series, and selected technical data into workbooks.
- Real-time streaming quotes on Advanced and Business plans for covered U.S. and Canadian stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Standard defaults to 15-minute delayed stock, ETF, and crypto data, with EOD options, mutual-fund, and economic data.
- Analysis of options with chains, Greeks, implied-volatility tools, order-flow functions, strategy P&L templates, and symbology conversion.
What OptionCharts does best
- Tools for building and compare multi-leg option strategy P&L charts with templates such as covered calls, vertical spreads, iron condors, and calendars.
- Views for reviewing ticker-level options charts for volume, open interest, Greeks, implied-volatility skew, max pain, expected move, and probability distribution.
- GEX and DEX visualizations to understand where listed option positioning may concentrate gamma and delta exposure around a ticker.
- Inspect option contract history for price, volume, open interest, and Greeks, including intraday history where available by plan and dataset.
- Scan market-wide options trend tables for active tickers, active contracts, high open interest, IV and IV rank, unusual activity, and options flow.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for MarketXLS and OptionCharts, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for MarketXLS and OptionCharts, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsCurrenciesFuturesCryptos | OptionsStocksETFs |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPAC | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: US and CA5 exchangesIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day |
Data granularity | MinuteEOD | MinuteEOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
Integrations | Interactive BrokersThinkorswimTradierOrionCharles Schwab (OpenView Gateway)QuoteMediaIEX CloudNasdaq+4 more | Not specified |
Export formats | ExcelCSV | CSV |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Status page | Not specified |
Capability signals | Factors: Value, Quality, and MomentumMulti-leg optionsGreeksMonte CarloCorrelation | Multi-leg optionsGreeks |
Vendor & support | MarketXLS LimitedCountry: IrelandFounded 2016Support: Email and Phone | OptionCharts, LLCCountry: USSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free |
| Entry paid plan | $70/mo“Standard”annual price usd: 850 | $20/mo“Premium” |
| Tier 2 | $125/mo“Advanced”annual price usd: 1,500 | $35/mo“Ultimate (Real‑time Options Data)” |
| Top plan | $200/mo“Business”annual price usd: 2,400 | Subscription“Ultimate Professional (Real‑time Options Data)” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between MarketXLS and OptionCharts?
MarketXLS leans toward sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and screeners, while OptionCharts puts more weight on data visualizations, options, and watchlist. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is MarketXLS or OptionCharts free to use?
OptionCharts has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. MarketXLS is paid-only. If budget matters, start with OptionCharts and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Should I choose MarketXLS or OptionCharts?
It depends on what you're after. Pick MarketXLS if sheets / excel add-ins and broker connectors matter to you; go with OptionCharts if you'd rather have data visualizations. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do MarketXLS and OptionCharts cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. MarketXLS also handles mutual funds, currencies, and futures.
Do MarketXLS and OptionCharts offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Which covers international markets: MarketXLS or OptionCharts?
MarketXLS has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, and APAC), 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 MarketXLS and OptionCharts?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: MarketXLS or OptionCharts?
Both MarketXLS 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 MarketXLS or OptionCharts?
MarketXLS handles portfolio tracking. OptionCharts is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Keep researching
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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.