★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
OpenBB vs Portfolio123
Pick OpenBB if
OpenBB
Free • From $500/yr · Web · Desktop · Mobile
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about sheets / excel add-ins, custom dashboards, and AI chat, things Portfolio123 doesn't offer
Pick Portfolio123 if
Portfolio123
Free • From $25/mo · Web · API · Desktop
- You want the cheaper way in: plans start at $25/mo instead of $41.67/mo
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You care about quant, stock ideas, and scores, things OpenBB 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
OpenBB and Portfolio123 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. Portfolio123 simply does more: 19 categories to OpenBB's 12, including quant, stock ideas, and scores. OpenBB counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
OpenBB
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Portfolio123
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Cheaper paid plan
- Portfolio123$25/mo vs $41.67/mo
- Broader coverage
- Portfolio12319 vs 12 categories
- Mobile app
- OpenBB
- Real-time data
- Portfolio123
- Beginner friendly
- Portfolio123
- Free plan
- Both
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 $25/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 11 limits: Workspace Community: copilot queries per day: 20, Workspace Community: excel add in: No (per plan comparison) +9 more | Free Screener & Backtesting Access: duration days: 30 |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | — | Yes |
Integrations | OpenBB Skills, Workspace MCP server +2 more | Interactive Brokers and Tradier |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Institutional Investors, Analysts +2 more | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +5 more |
Categories covered | 12 | 19 |
Regions | — | North America, Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | 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 | IV surface and Yield curves | 6 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +4 more |
Security | 6 signals: SOC2, SSO: SAML and OIDC +4 more | — |
| Try it | Visit OpenBB | Visit Portfolio123 |
Where each one shines
What OpenBB and Portfolio123 each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What OpenBB and Portfolio123 each do best.What OpenBB does best
- The open-source Open Data Platform locally under AGPL for unified 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 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 OpenBB and Portfolio123, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for OpenBB and Portfolio123, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsCryptosCurrenciesCommoditiesBondsOptionsFutures | StocksETFsClosed-End Funds |
Experience | IntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Institutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/DevelopersStudents/Researchers | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/DevelopersFinancial AdvisorsStudents/Researchers |
Regions | Not specified | North AmericaEurope |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Countries: US and CAIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | EOD |
Data partners | Not specified | FactSetS&P Global Market IntelligenceICE Data ServicesFRED |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | REST |
API auth & delivery | Auth: NoneSDKs: PythonDocs | Auth: APIKeySDKs: PythonDocs |
Import methods | Not specified | BrokerOAuthCSV |
Integrations | OpenBB SkillsWorkspace MCP serverMCP serversExcel Add-in | Interactive BrokersTradier |
Export formats | CSVExcel | CSVJSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | SOC2SSO: SAML and OIDCStatus pageEncryption at restEncryption in transitRole-based access | Not specified |
Capability signals | IV surfaceYield curves | Custom formulasRanking backtestsUniverse builderBroker syncRebalancingCorrelation |
Vendor & support | OpenBB Inc.Founded 2021Support: Email and Forum | Portfolio123Support: Forum |
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“Manage (Free)” |
| Entry paid plan | $500/yr≈ $41.67/mo“Snowflake Native App” | $25/mo“Retail Research Plans” |
| Top plan | $2400/yr≈ $200/mo“Workspace Lite”team size: Designed for teams under 10 · promotional price: $1,200/year through August 31, 2026 (time-limited offer observed on v... · +2 more | — |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Workspace Pro”pricing model: Custom team license (contact sales) · support: 8 hours/day, 5 days/week (EST) | Contact sales“Professional / API & Data Licenses” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between OpenBB and Portfolio123?
OpenBB leans toward APIs & data feeds, sheets / excel add-ins, and data visualizations, while Portfolio123 puts more weight on screeners, data visualizations, and quant. They overlap in 6 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do OpenBB and Portfolio123 cost?
Good news: both OpenBB and Portfolio123 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 Portfolio123?
Portfolio123 is the friendlier place to start; its interface takes less getting used to. Both work fine once you're past the basics.
Can I use OpenBB or Portfolio123 on my phone?
OpenBB lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. Portfolio123 doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web, API, and desktop.
Do OpenBB and Portfolio123 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 Portfolio123?
It depends on what you're after. Pick OpenBB if sheets / excel add-ins and custom dashboards matter to you; go with Portfolio123 if you'd rather have quant and stock ideas. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do OpenBB and Portfolio123 cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. OpenBB also handles cryptos, currencies, and commodities. Portfolio123 adds closed-end funds on top.
Does OpenBB or Portfolio123 have real-time data?
Portfolio123 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 Portfolio123?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: OpenBB or Portfolio123?
Both OpenBB 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 OpenBB or Portfolio123?
Portfolio123 handles portfolio tracking. OpenBB is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
Keep researching
More comparisons to check
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
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.