★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
OpenInsider vs ORTEX
Pick OpenInsider instead if
OpenInsider
Free · Web
- Go this way if it's completely free.
Start here
ORTEX
Free • From $39/mo · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about short interest, quant, and index rebalancing, things OpenInsider 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
OpenInsider and ORTEX cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, insider data, screeners, and data visualizations), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ORTEX simply does more: 14 categories to OpenInsider's 3, including short interest, quant, and index rebalancing, plus a mobile app. OpenInsider counters by being completely free.
What readers say
OpenInsider
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
ORTEX
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- ORTEX
- Broader coverage
- ORTEX14 vs 3 categories
- API access
- ORTEX
- Global coverage
- ORTEX
- 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 | Free • From $39/mo |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | 9 limits: API Trader: credits per month: 1,000, API Trader: rate limit: 1 req/s +7 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | — | No |
Integrations | — | Microsoft Excel (Add-in) and Python SDK |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 3 | 14 |
Regions | North America | North America, Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | Latency: Real-time | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +1 more |
Capabilities | Universe builder | Universe builder |
| Try it | Visit OpenInsider | Visit ORTEX |
Where each one shines
What OpenInsider and ORTEX each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What OpenInsider and ORTEX each do best.What OpenInsider does best
- Screening for real-time SEC Form 4 insider purchases and sales using data sourced from sec.gov.
- Prebuilt report pages such as Latest Insider Purchases to start from high-signal insider buying activity.
- Search tools across and filter insider transactions by ticker, filing date, trade date, insider, owner type, transaction type, value, price, and related table fields.
- Drill into ticker, insider, and industry pages to review related filings and transaction history.
- Insider buy-sell charts to visualize insider activity instead of reading only raw transaction tables.
What ORTEX does best
- Monitoring 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.
- Alpha-signal modules such as Short Squeeze, EPS, RSI, MACD, and Company Events as research context with back-tested statistics.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for OpenInsider and ORTEX, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for OpenInsider and ORTEX, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksClosed-End Funds | StocksETFsOptions |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | North AmericaEurope |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker and CIK | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-time | Real-timeEnd of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | MinuteEOD |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python |
Integrations | Not specified | Microsoft Excel (Add-in)Python SDK |
Export formats | CSV | CSV |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builder | Universe builder |
Vendor & support | Not specified | 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 |
| Entry paid plan | — | $39/mo“Basic Annual” |
| Tier 2 | — | $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” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between OpenInsider and ORTEX?
OpenInsider leans toward insider data, screeners, and data visualizations, while ORTEX puts more weight on short interest, insider data, and quant. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do OpenInsider and ORTEX cost?
Good news: both OpenInsider and ORTEX have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use OpenInsider or ORTEX on my phone?
ORTEX lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. OpenInsider doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does OpenInsider or ORTEX have an API?
ORTEX has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. OpenInsider doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose OpenInsider or ORTEX?
It depends on what you're after. Pick OpenInsider if you prefer its overall approach; go with ORTEX if you'd rather have short interest and quant. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do OpenInsider and ORTEX cover?
Both cover stocks. OpenInsider also handles closed-end funds. ORTEX adds ETFs and options on top.
Do OpenInsider and ORTEX offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Which covers international markets: OpenInsider or ORTEX?
ORTEX has documented international coverage (North America and Europe), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. OpenInsider is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from OpenInsider and ORTEX?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: OpenInsider or ORTEX?
Both OpenInsider 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
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.