★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
MarketXLS vs Portfolio123
MarketXLS
Best for sheets / excel add-ins and options
From $70/mo
Portfolio123
Best for data visualizations and quant
Free • From $25/mo
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The verdict
The bottom line
MarketXLS and Portfolio123 cover a lot of the same ground (8 shared categories, including broker connectors, screeners, and portfolio), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Portfolio123 simply does more: 19 categories to MarketXLS's 15, including data visualizations, quant, and stock ideas. MarketXLS counters by keeping things simpler.
Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- Portfolio123
- Cheaper paid plan
- Portfolio123$25/mo vs $70/mo
- Broader coverage
- Portfolio12319 vs 15 categories
- API access
- Portfolio123
- Broker sync
- Portfolio123
Choose
MarketXLS if…
- You care about sheets / excel add-ins, options, and options p&l, things Portfolio123 doesn't offer
Choose
Portfolio123 if…
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $25/mo instead of $70/mo
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about data visualizations, quant, and stock ideas, things MarketXLS doesn't offer
Comparison snapshot
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | From $70/mo | Free • From $25/mo |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | Free Screener & Backtesting Access: duration days: 30 |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | No | Yes |
Integrations | Interactive Brokers, Thinkorswim +10 more | Interactive Brokers and Tradier |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +5 more |
Categories covered | 15 | 19 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC | North America, Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +2 more | 5 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more |
Data partners | — | 4 partners: FactSet, S&P Global Market Intelligence +2 more |
Capabilities | 5 signals: Factors: Value, Quality, and Momentum, Multi-leg options +3 more | 6 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +4 more |
Security | Status page | — |
| Try it | Visit MarketXLS | Visit Portfolio123 |
Standout features
What MarketXLS does best
- 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 on Advanced/Business for covered U.S./Canadian stocks, ETFs, and options; Standard defaults to 15‑minute delayed stock/ETF/crypto data and EOD options/mutual-fund/economic data.
- 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.
What Portfolio123 does best
- Web‑based quant research terminal for building multifactor ranking systems, stock/ETF screens, and complete rules‑based strategies with no programming, powered by point‑in‑time FactSet data and marketed as free of survivorship and look‑ahead bias.
- Supports realistic simulations and backtests over roughly 20 years of history for US, Canadian, and European equities, with custom universes, separate buy/sell rules, position sizing, hedging, and “Book of Strategies” to combine and analyze correlated systems.
- Stock & ETF coverage uses fundamentals, estimates, corporate actions, plus industry/sector classification, with “over 15,000 current US, Canadian, and European stocks” and many more historical issues.
- AI Factor lets users train machine‑learning predictors for expected returns and plug the predictions into ranking systems, strategy simulations and asset-level analysis, with no-code model evaluation, blocked K-fold cross validation, lift charts and model/portfolio statistics.
- Homepage currently advertises 30 days of free screener and backtesting access with no credit card required, in addition to the free Manage module.
Data & access details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsCurrenciesFuturesCryptos | StocksETFsClosed-End Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/DevelopersFinancial AdvisorsStudents/Researchers |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPAC | North AmericaEurope |
Coverage details | Countries: US and CA5 exchangesIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Countries: US and CAIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day | Real-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | MinuteEOD | EOD |
Data partners | Not specified | FactSetS&P Global Market IntelligenceICE Data ServicesFRED |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKeySDKs: PythonDocs |
Import methods | Not specified | BrokerOAuthCSV |
Integrations | Interactive BrokersThinkorswimTradierOrionCharles Schwab (OpenView Gateway)QuoteMediaIEX CloudNasdaq+4 more | Interactive BrokersTradier |
Export formats | ExcelCSV | CSVJSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Status page | Not specified |
Capability signals | Factors: Value, Quality, and MomentumMulti-leg optionsGreeksMonte CarloCorrelation | Custom formulasRanking backtestsUniverse builderBroker syncRebalancingCorrelation |
Vendor & support | MarketXLS LimitedCountry: IrelandFounded 2016Support: Email and Phone | Portfolio123Support: Forum |
Curation ratings | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Not specified |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing breakdown
$70/mo
Starting price
Plans & pricing
$25/mo
Lower starting price
Plans & pricing
- duration days: 30
Coverage overlap
Shared categories
8Where the two tools cover the same ground.
MarketXLS strengths
7What you only get with MarketXLS.
Portfolio123 strengths
11What you only get with Portfolio123.
Community category leaders
Vote sentiment comparison
Loading sentiment chart...
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between MarketXLS and Portfolio123?
MarketXLS leans toward sheets / excel add-ins, broker connectors, and screeners, while Portfolio123 puts more weight on screeners, data visualizations, and quant. They overlap in 8 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is MarketXLS or Portfolio123 free to use?
Portfolio123 has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. MarketXLS is paid-only. If budget matters, start with Portfolio123 and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Does MarketXLS or Portfolio123 have an API?
Portfolio123 has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. MarketXLS doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose MarketXLS or Portfolio123?
It depends on what you're after. Pick MarketXLS if sheets / excel add-ins and options matter to you; go with Portfolio123 if you'd rather have data visualizations and quant. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do MarketXLS and Portfolio123 cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. MarketXLS also handles options, mutual funds, and currencies. Portfolio123 adds closed-end funds on top.
Do MarketXLS and Portfolio123 offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Can I export data from MarketXLS and Portfolio123?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can MarketXLS or Portfolio123 connect to my broker?
Portfolio123 syncs with brokers automatically. With MarketXLS, you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: MarketXLS or Portfolio123?
Both MarketXLS and Portfolio123 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 Portfolio123?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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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.