★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
OpenBB vs QuickFS
Start here
OpenBB
Free • Contact for pricing · Web · Desktop · Mobile
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
Pick QuickFS instead if
QuickFS
Contact for pricing · Web
- You're newer to investing and want something approachable
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 QuickFS cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including APIs & data feeds, sheets / excel add-ins, and data visualizations), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. OpenBB simply does more: 12 categories to QuickFS's 4, including custom dashboards, AI research, and AI chat, plus a mobile app. QuickFS counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
OpenBB
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
QuickFS
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- OpenBB
- Broader coverage
- OpenBB12 vs 4 categories
- Mobile app
- OpenBB
- Desktop app
- OpenBB
- API access
- OpenBB
- Asset coverage
- OpenBBAdds ETFs and cryptos
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 • Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
Free tier | Yes | No |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 7 limits: Workspace Community: copilot queries per day: 20, Workspace Community: excel add in: No (per plan comparison) +5 more | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | Yes | No |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | Yes | No |
Integrations | OpenBB Skills, Workspace MCP server +2 more | FastFS.org successor referral and Microsoft AppSource legacy Excel listing |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Institutional Investors, Analysts +2 more | — |
Categories covered | 12 | 4 |
Regions | — | North America, Europe, APAC |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | Latency: End of Day and Granularity: EOD |
Capabilities | IV surface and Yield curves | — |
Security | 6 signals: SOC2, SSO: SAML and OIDC +4 more | — |
| Try it | Visit OpenBB | Visit QuickFS |
Where each one shines
What OpenBB and QuickFS each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What OpenBB and QuickFS 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 QuickFS does best
- Official homepage says QuickFS will not relaunch and that the founder introduced FastFS.org to a data vendor that could support a successor with major QuickFS-like features.
- Legacy product offered 20-year history for 200+ standardized metrics and statements across 40,000+ international stocks.
- Legacy Excel add-in used =QFS("ticker","metric","period") to pull data directly into models; Microsoft AppSource listings may still exist but require a QuickFS account and should not be treated as an active standalone service.
- Legacy API and exports covered fundamentals, market data, company metadata, CSV/Excel exports, and bulk downloads; current official homepage does not advertise active API access.
- Ticker format with country suffix (e.g., AAPL:US) and global coverage across U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and more were legacy capabilities.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for OpenBB and QuickFS, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for OpenBB and QuickFS, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsCryptosCurrenciesCommoditiesBondsOptionsFutures | Stocks |
Experience | IntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Institutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/DevelopersStudents/Researchers | Not specified |
Regions | Not specified | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | 4 countriesIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | End of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | EOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | Not specified |
API auth & delivery | Auth: NoneSDKs: PythonDocs | Not specified |
Integrations | OpenBB SkillsWorkspace MCP serverMCP serversExcel Add-in | FastFS.org successor referralMicrosoft AppSource legacy Excel listing |
Export formats | CSVExcel | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | SOC2SSO: SAML and OIDCStatus pageEncryption at restEncryption in transitRole-based access | Not specified |
Capability signals | IV surfaceYield curves | Not specified |
Vendor & support | OpenBB Inc.Founded 2021Support: Email and Forum | QuickFS.net, LLCSupport: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 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 | — |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“Workspace Pro”pricing model: One-time license for the entire team (contact sales) · support: 8 hours/day, 5 days/week (EST) | Contact sales“Closed / not relaunched” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between OpenBB and QuickFS?
OpenBB leans toward APIs & data feeds, sheets / excel add-ins, and data visualizations, while QuickFS puts more weight on financials, data visualizations, and APIs & data feeds. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is OpenBB or QuickFS free to use?
OpenBB has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. QuickFS is paid-only. If budget matters, start with OpenBB and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Which is better for beginners: OpenBB or QuickFS?
QuickFS 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 QuickFS on my phone?
OpenBB lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. QuickFS doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does OpenBB or QuickFS have an API?
OpenBB has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. QuickFS doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose OpenBB or QuickFS?
It depends on what you're after. Pick OpenBB if custom dashboards and AI research matter to you; go with QuickFS if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do OpenBB and QuickFS cover?
Both cover stocks. OpenBB also handles ETFs, cryptos, and currencies.
Can I export data from OpenBB and QuickFS?
OpenBB exports to CSV and Excel. QuickFS is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: OpenBB or QuickFS?
OpenBB has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; QuickFS doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Keep researching
More comparisons to check
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
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.