VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Source checks: OpenBB checked August 29, 2026 · ORTEX checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
OpenBB vs ORTEX
Pick OpenBB if
OpenBB
Free • From $500/yr · Web · Desktop · Mobile
- You want sheets / excel add-ins, custom dashboards, and financials.
Pick ORTEX if
ORTEX
Free • From $39/mo · Web · Mobile · API
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $39/mo instead of $41.67/mo
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want short interest, insider data, and quant.
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
OpenBB and ORTEX cover a lot of the same ground (6 shared categories, including APIs & data feeds, data visualizations, and AI research), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ORTEX simply does more: 16 categories to OpenBB's 12, including short interest, insider data, and quant. OpenBB counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
OpenBB
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
ORTEX
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Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- ORTEX$39/mo vs $41.67/mo
- Broader coverage
- ORTEX16 vs 12 categories
- Desktop app
- OpenBB
- Real-time data
- ORTEX
- Asset coverage
- OpenBBAdds cryptos and commodities
- Beginner friendly
- ORTEX
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 $500/yr | Free • From $39/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 10 limits: Workspace Community: copilot queries per day: 20, Workspace Community: excel add in: No (per plan comparison) +8 more | 9 limits: API Trader: credits per month: 1,000, API Trader: rate limit: 1 req/s +7 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | Yes | No |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | — | No |
Integrations | OpenBB Skills, Workspace MCP server +2 more | Microsoft Excel (Add-in), Python SDK +1 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Institutional Investors, Analysts +2 more | — |
Categories covered | 12 | 16 |
Regions | — | North America, Europe, APAC |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +1 more |
Capabilities | IV surface and Yield curves | 4 signals: Universe builder, Multi-leg options +2 more |
Security | 6 signals: SOC2, SSO: SAML and OIDC +4 more | — |
| Try it | Visit OpenBB | Visit ORTEX |
Where each one shines
What OpenBB and ORTEX each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What OpenBB and ORTEX each do best.What OpenBB does best
- The open-source Open Data Platform locally under AGPL for combined financial and economic data access through provider connectors.
- Work across Python, REST API, notebooks, Workspace, and Excel-oriented workflows depending on whether you are coding, analyzing, or building dashboards.
- Connections for third-party data providers and your own API keys; OpenBB does not host or redistribute production market data for you.
- Tools for building Workspace dashboards with customizable UI components, apps, widgets, and firm-specific data integrations.
- Support for adding proprietary or internal data by exposing an API plus a widgets.json definition for custom Workspace widgets.
What ORTEX does best
- Monitor short interest and securities-lending conditions with utilization, cost to borrow, shares on loan, and percentage of free float on loan.
- Comparison tools for lending-based short-interest estimates with official U.S. exchange-reported short interest and European flagged-short disclosures.
- Tracking intraday and real-time estimates from ORTEX lender and broker data pools where plan access supports those views.
- Research coverage for options activity and flow signals using OPRA-sourced options data, with OPRA terms required before access.
- Rule-based Short Squeeze, EPS, RSI, MACD, and Company Events signals with historical performance shown beside each trigger.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for OpenBB and ORTEX, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for OpenBB and ORTEX, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsCryptosCurrenciesCommoditiesBondsOptionsFutures | StocksETFsOptionsCurrencies |
Experience | IntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Institutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/DevelopersStudents/Researchers | Not specified |
Regions | Not specified | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | MinuteEOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | REST |
API auth & delivery | Auth: NoneSDKs: PythonDocs | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python |
Integrations | OpenBB SkillsWorkspace MCP serverMCP serversExcel Add-in | Microsoft Excel (Add-in)Python SDKMCP |
Export formats | CSVExcel | CSV |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | SOC2SSO: SAML and OIDCStatus pageEncryption at restEncryption in transitRole-based access | Not specified |
Capability signals | IV surfaceYield curves | Universe builderMulti-leg optionsGreeksEarnings vol edge |
Vendor & support | OpenBB Inc.Founded 2021Support: Email and Forum | Ortex Technologies LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Email and Phone |
Curation ratings | Not specified | 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“Workspace Community”copilot queries per day: 20 · excel add in: No (per plan comparison) · +1 more | Free |
| Entry paid plan | $500/yr≈ $41.67/mo“Snowflake Native App” | $39/mo“Basic Annual” |
| Tier 2 | $2400/yr≈ $200/mo“Workspace Lite”team size: Designed for teams under 10 · excel add in: No (per plan comparison) · +1 more | $49/mo“Basic Monthly” |
| Tier 3 | — | $99/mo“Advanced Annual” |
| Tier 4 | — | $149/mo“Advanced Monthly” |
| Tier 5 | — | €49/mo“API Trader”credits per month: 1,000 · rate limit: 1 req/s · +1 more |
| Tier 6 | — | €129/mo“API Quant”credits per month: 10,000 · rate limit: 5 req/s · +1 more |
| Tier 7 | — | €379/mo“API Developer”credits per month: 100,000 · rate limit: 50 req/s · +1 more |
| Top plan | — | Subscription“API Enterprise” |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Workspace Pro”pricing model: Custom team license (contact sales) · support: 8 hours/day, 5 days/week (EST) | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between OpenBB and ORTEX?
OpenBB leans toward APIs & data feeds, sheets / excel add-ins, and data visualizations, while ORTEX puts more weight on short interest, insider data, and quant. They overlap in 6 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do OpenBB and ORTEX cost?
Good news: both OpenBB and ORTEX have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: OpenBB or ORTEX?
ORTEX is the friendlier place to start; its interface takes less getting used to. Both work fine once you're past the basics.
Do OpenBB and ORTEX have APIs?
Yes, both offer API access, so developers and quants can pull data programmatically or wire up their own integrations.
Should I choose OpenBB or ORTEX?
It depends on what you're after. Pick OpenBB if sheets / excel add-ins and custom dashboards matter to you; go with ORTEX if you'd rather have short interest and insider data. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do OpenBB and ORTEX cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, currencies, and options. OpenBB also handles cryptos, commodities, and bonds.
Does OpenBB or ORTEX have real-time data?
ORTEX offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. OpenBB runs on delayed or end-of-day data, which is perfectly fine for longer-term investors who don't live and die by the tick.
Can I export data from OpenBB and ORTEX?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: OpenBB or ORTEX?
Both OpenBB and ORTEX include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
Keep researching
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Feedback
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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.