★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
MarketXLS vs Portfolio123
Pick MarketXLS if
MarketXLS
From $70/mo · Desktop · Web
- You care about sheets / excel add-ins, options, and options p&l, things Portfolio123 doesn't offer
Pick Portfolio123 if
Portfolio123
Free • From $25/mo · Web · API · Desktop
- 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
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 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 16, including data visualizations, quant, and stock ideas. MarketXLS counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
MarketXLS
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Portfolio123
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- Portfolio123
- Cheaper paid plan
- Portfolio123$25/mo vs $70/mo
- Broader coverage
- Portfolio12319 vs 16 categories
- API access
- Portfolio123
- Broker sync
- Portfolio123
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 $25/mo |
Free tier | No | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 3 limits: Standard: annual price usd: 850, Advanced: annual price usd: 1,500 +1 more | 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 | 16 | 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 |
Where each one shines
What MarketXLS and Portfolio123 each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What MarketXLS and Portfolio123 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 Portfolio123 does best
- Tools for building multifactor ranking systems, stock screens, ETF screens, and complete rules-based strategies through a web research environment.
- Tools for running simulations and backtests with long historical equity data, custom universes, buy and sell rules, position sizing, hedging, rebalancing, and realistic assumptions.
- Point-in-time data designed to avoid survivorship and look-ahead bias, with fundamentals, estimates, corporate actions, sector and industry classifications, and historical issues.
- Tools for creating ranking systems from fundamental, technical, sentiment, and macro factors, including public factor documentation and FRED-linked economic series.
- AI Factor to train machine-learning predictors for expected returns and feed those predictions into rankings, simulations, and asset-level analysis.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for MarketXLS and Portfolio123, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for MarketXLS and Portfolio123, side by side.| 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.
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“Manage (Free)” |
| Entry paid plan | $70/mo“Standard”annual price usd: 850 | $25/mo“Retail Research Plans” |
| Tier 2 | $125/mo“Advanced”annual price usd: 1,500 | — |
| Top plan | $200/mo“Business”annual price usd: 2,400 | — |
| Custom / enterprise | — | Contact sales“Professional / API & Data Licenses” |
Questions we keep getting
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.
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.