★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
Nasdaq.com vs SEC API (sec-api.io)
Pick Nasdaq.com if
Nasdaq.com
Free • From $18.95/mo · Web · Mobile
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $18.95/mo instead of $55/mo
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about screeners, portfolio, and watchlist, things SEC API (sec-api.io) doesn't offer
Pick SEC API (sec-api.io) if
SEC API (sec-api.io)
Free • From $55/mo · Web · API
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about APIs & data feeds, regulatory filings monitoring, and management compensation, things Nasdaq.com doesn't offer
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
Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io) cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including IPO, financials, and insider data), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Nasdaq.com simply does more: 17 categories to SEC API (sec-api.io)'s 7, including screeners, portfolio, and watchlist, plus a mobile app. SEC API (sec-api.io) counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
Nasdaq.com
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
SEC API (sec-api.io)
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Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- Nasdaq.com$18.95/mo vs $55/mo
- Broader coverage
- Nasdaq.com17 vs 7 categories
- Mobile app
- Nasdaq.com
- API access
- SEC API (sec-api.io)
- Broker sync
- Nasdaq.com
- Global coverage
- Nasdaq.com
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 | Free • From $18.95/mo | Free • From $55/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | 3 limits: Free Tier: api calls: 100, Personal & Startups: query api rate limit: 20 requests/second/API key +1 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | Yes | No |
Integrations | TipRanks and Nasdaq Data Link | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 17 | 7 |
Regions | North America, Europe | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: Real-time, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +2 more | Latency: Real-time |
Capabilities | 3 signals: Universe builder, Greeks +1 more | — |
| Try it | Visit Nasdaq.com | Visit SEC API (sec-api.io) |
Where each one shines
What Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io) each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io) each do best.What Nasdaq.com does best
- Lookup tools for official Nasdaq.com quote and company pages with market data, company profiles, news, SEC filings, financial statements, and analyst context.
- Stock, ETF, and mutual-fund screeners with filterable metrics for idea generation and market exploration.
- Views for reviewing options chains with Greeks such as Delta, Gamma, and Vega for supported symbols.
- Tracking event calendars for earnings, dividends, IPOs, economic releases, splits, and other market dates.
- Research coverage for short interest, insider transactions, and institutional holdings, including 13F-style ownership context.
What SEC API (sec-api.io) does best
- Search tools across SEC filings through query and full-text APIs covering all EDGAR form types and historical filings back to 1993.
- Real-time WebSocket filing streams when new SEC filings need to trigger alerts, workflows, or downstream processing quickly.
- Convert XBRL filings to standardized JSON financial statements for income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, and US GAAP line-item workflows.
- Extract clean filing sections such as MD&A, Risk Factors, and other 10-K, 10-Q, or 8-K sections for research or AI pipelines.
- Access to specialized APIs for Forms 3/4/5, 13F, 13D/G, Form 144, ADV, S-1, 424B4, Form C, Form D, Reg A, N-PORT, N-PX, and N-CEN data.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io), side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io), side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsMutual FundsOptionsCryptosCurrencies | StocksETFsMutual FundsFunds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEurope | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-time15-min DelayedEnd of Day | Real-time |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | RESTWebSocket |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python |
Import methods | ManualBrokerOAuth | Not specified |
Integrations | TipRanksNasdaq Data Link | Not specified |
Export formats | Not specified | JSONPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builderGreeksBroker sync | Not specified |
Vendor & support | Nasdaq, Inc.Country: USSupport: Email and Phone | Data2Value GmbHSupport: 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 | Free“Free Tier”api calls: 100 |
| Entry paid plan | $18.95/mo“Smart Portfolio Pro – 2 Years” | $55/mo“Personal & Startups”query api rate limit: 20 requests/second/API key |
| Tier 2 | $21.25/mo“Smart Portfolio Pro – Yearly” | $239/mo“Business (Internal Use)”query api rate limit: 40 requests/second/API key |
| Top plan | $24.95/mo“Smart Portfolio Pro – Quarterly” | — |
| Custom / enterprise | — | Contact sales“Enterprise & Institutions” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io)?
Nasdaq.com leans toward screeners, portfolio, and watchlist, while SEC API (sec-api.io) puts more weight on APIs & data feeds, regulatory filings monitoring, and insider data. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io) cost?
Good news: both Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io) have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use Nasdaq.com or SEC API (sec-api.io) on my phone?
Nasdaq.com lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. SEC API (sec-api.io) doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web and API.
Does Nasdaq.com or SEC API (sec-api.io) have an API?
SEC API (sec-api.io) has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Nasdaq.com doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose Nasdaq.com or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Nasdaq.com if screeners and portfolio matter to you; go with SEC API (sec-api.io) if you'd rather have APIs & data feeds and regulatory filings monitoring. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io) cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. Nasdaq.com also handles options, cryptos, and currencies. SEC API (sec-api.io) adds funds on top.
Do Nasdaq.com and SEC API (sec-api.io) offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Which covers international markets: Nasdaq.com or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
Nasdaq.com has documented international coverage (North America and Europe), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. SEC API (sec-api.io) is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can Nasdaq.com or SEC API (sec-api.io) connect to my broker?
Nasdaq.com syncs with brokers automatically. With SEC API (sec-api.io), you're entering holdings by hand or importing files.
Which has a better stock screener: Nasdaq.com or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
Nasdaq.com has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; SEC API (sec-api.io) doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Nasdaq.com or SEC API (sec-api.io)?
Nasdaq.com handles portfolio tracking. SEC API (sec-api.io) 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.