VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Investors comparing MarketXLS and OptionCharts will find that Both MarketXLS and OptionCharts concentrate on Screeners, Options & Derivatives, and Options workflows, making them natural alternatives for similar investment research jobs. MarketXLS leans into Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors, and Monte Carlo, which can be decisive for teams that need depth over breadth. OptionCharts stands out with Data Visualizations that the competition lacks. Use the feature-by-feature table to inspect unique capabilities and confirm which roadmap best maps to your process.
Head-to-head
MarketXLS vs OptionCharts
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
- MarketXLS adds Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors, Monte Carlo, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Portfolio, Correlation, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, ETF Fundamentals, Which ETF includes this Stock?, Interest Rates, Unemployment Rates, Inflation Rates, and GDP coverage that OptionCharts skips.
- OptionCharts includes Data Visualizations categories that MarketXLS omits.
- MarketXLS highlights: Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users., Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year., and Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter..
- OptionCharts is known for: 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., and Gamma Exposure (GEX) and Delta Exposure (DEX) visualizations..
- OptionCharts keeps a free entry point that MarketXLS lacks.
MarketXLS
marketxls.com
Excel‑first market data & analytics add‑in with 1,000+ functions. Default data is 15‑min delayed (QuoteMedia); real‑time streams and intraday history available with data add‑ons. Web screener, ETF database/overlap tools, options chains & Greeks, and portfolio templates (incl. Efficient Frontier). Direct order‑ticket functions for Thinkorswim, Tradier, Orion, plus IBKR integration via TWS API. No public data API for redistribution; personal use license.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users.
- Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year.
- Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter.
- Portfolio & research templates: Efficient Frontier, correlation/volatility/drawdowns, fundamentals and historical statements via hf_* functions.
- Web screener with hundreds of metrics; stock ranks (Value/Quality/Technical); spreadsheet builder to generate ready‑made workbooks.
OptionCharts
optioncharts.io
Web app for options analytics and visualizations (P&L, greeks, IV skew, expected move, GEX/DEX, option history) with market‑wide trend screens. Free tier uses 15‑minute delayed OPRA; real‑time options available on Ultimate plan after exchange agreements. Not a broker; no trading execution.
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- 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, options flow (aggregates update ≈10 min).
Shared focus areas
Both platforms align on these research themes, so you can stay within one workflow when your use case involves them.
Where they differ
MarketXLS
Distinct strengths include:
- Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users.
- Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year.
- Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter.
- Portfolio & research templates: Efficient Frontier, correlation/volatility/drawdowns, fundamentals and historical statements via hf_* functions.
OptionCharts
Distinct strengths include:
- 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.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
Attribute | MarketXLS | OptionCharts |
---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Screeners, Options & Derivatives, Options, Options P&L, Watchlist, Blogs Unique: Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors, Monte Carlo, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Portfolio, Correlation, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, ETF Fundamentals, Which ETF includes this Stock?, Interest Rates, Unemployment Rates, Inflation Rates, GDP | Shared: Screeners, Options & Derivatives, Options, Options P&L, Watchlist, Blogs Unique: Data Visualizations |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Currencies, Futures, Cryptos | Options, Stocks, ETFs |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Desktop, Web | Web |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Subscription | Free, Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do MarketXLS and OptionCharts both support?
Both platforms cover Screeners, Options & Derivatives, Options, Options P&L, Watchlist, and Blogs workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Which tool offers a free plan?
OptionCharts offers a free entry point, while MarketXLS requires a paid subscription. Review the pricing table to see how the paid tiers compare.
How can you access MarketXLS and OptionCharts?
Both MarketXLS and OptionCharts prioritize web or desktop access. Investors wanting a mobile-first workflow may need to rely on responsive web views.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
MarketXLS differentiates itself with Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users., Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year., and Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter., whereas OptionCharts stands out for 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., and Gamma Exposure (GEX) and Delta Exposure (DEX) visualizations..
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.