Tool Comparison
ORTEX vs OTC Markets
- Paid from
- $39/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, API
Best if
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want short interest, insider data, and quant.
- Paid from
- On request
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, API, Other
Best if
- You want improved filings, order book / level II, and official sources.
Pick ORTEX if
ORTEX
Free • From $39/mo · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want short interest, insider data, and quant.
Pick OTC Markets if
OTC Markets
Free • Contact for pricing · Web · API · Other
- You want improved filings, order book / level II, and official sources.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
ORTEX and OTC Markets cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, news, APIs & data feeds, and screeners), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ORTEX simply does more: 16 categories to OTC Markets's 6, including short interest, insider data, and quant, plus a mobile app. OTC Markets counters by being completely free.
What readers say
ORTEX
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OTC Markets
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Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- ORTEX
- Broader coverage
- ORTEX16 vs 6 categories
- Global coverage
- ORTEX
- Free plan
- Both
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.
What OTC Markets does best
- Research OTCQX, OTCQB, OTCID, Pink Limited, and Expert Market securities through issuer pages with quotes, charts, financials, news, and tier context.
- The OTC Markets Stock Screener to narrow OTC securities before moving into issuer pages, filings, quote history, and disclosure context.
- License real-time Level 1 and Level 2 feeds for quotes, trades, reference data, and market-participant depth.
- Level 2+ for quote-book depth and market-participant information, with licensing that also includes Level 1 access.
- Use end-of-day files for closing trades, quotes, Caveat Emptor flags, and market tier.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free • From $39/mo | Free • Contact for pricing |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 6 limits: API Trader: rate limit: 1 req/s, API Trader: scope: Single-stock APIs +4 more | Market Data Licensing: note: Level 2 includes Level 1. CUSIP and Global OTC require additional ent... and OTC Disclosure API: rate limit per min: 1,000 |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | No | — |
Integrations | Microsoft Excel (Add-in), Python SDK +1 more | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +3 more |
Categories covered | 16 | 6 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: Minute and EOD +1 more | 3 signals: Latency: Streaming, 15-min Delayed, and End of Day, Granularity: Tick and EOD +1 more |
Data partners | — | ICE Data Services |
Capabilities | 4 signals: Universe builder, Multi-leg options +2 more | — |
| Try it | Visit ORTEX | Visit OTC Markets |
Standout features
The best features of ORTEX and OTC Markets.ShowHide
Standout features
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.
What OTC Markets does best
- Research OTCQX, OTCQB, OTCID, Pink Limited, and Expert Market securities through issuer pages with quotes, charts, financials, news, and tier context.
- The OTC Markets Stock Screener to narrow OTC securities before moving into issuer pages, filings, quote history, and disclosure context.
- License real-time Level 1 and Level 2 feeds for quotes, trades, reference data, and market-participant depth.
- Level 2+ for quote-book depth and market-participant information, with licensing that also includes Level 1 access.
- Use end-of-day files for closing trades, quotes, Caveat Emptor flags, and market tier.
All details
Every attribute we track for ORTEX and OTC Markets.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsCurrencies | StocksBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPAC | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | Streaming15-min DelayedEnd of Day |
Data granularity | MinuteEOD | TickEOD |
Data partners | Not specified | ICE Data Services |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | REST |
API auth & delivery | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python | Auth: APIKey1,000 req/minDocs |
Integrations | Microsoft Excel (Add-in)Python SDKMCP | Not specified |
Export formats | CSV | JSONCSVXML |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builderMulti-leg optionsGreeksEarnings vol edge | Not specified |
Vendor & support | Ortex Technologies LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Email and Phone | OTC Markets Group Inc.Country: United StatesSupport: Email and Phone |
Curation ratings | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Not specified |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free | Free“Public Website” |
| Entry paid plan | $39/mo“Basic Annual” | Subscription“Market Data Licensing”note: Level 2 includes Level 1. CUSIP and Global OTC require additional ent... |
| Tier 2 | $49/mo“Basic Monthly” | — |
| Tier 3 | $99/mo“Advanced Annual” | — |
| Tier 4 | $149/mo“Advanced Monthly” | — |
| Tier 5 | $49/mo“API Trader”rate limit: 1 req/s · scope: Single-stock APIs | — |
| Tier 6 | $149/mo“API Quant”rate limit: 5 req/s · scope: All APIs including bulk endpoints | — |
| Top plan | $499/mo“API Developer”rate limit: 50 req/s · scope: All APIs including bulk endpoints | — |
| Custom / enterprise | Contact sales“API Enterprise” | Contact sales“OTC Disclosure API”rate limit per min: 1,000 |
Alternatives
Free alternatives
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between ORTEX and OTC Markets?
ORTEX leans toward short interest, insider data, and quant, while OTC Markets puts more weight on screeners, news, and APIs & data feeds. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do ORTEX and OTC Markets cost?
Good news: both ORTEX and OTC Markets have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use ORTEX or OTC Markets on my phone?
ORTEX lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. OTC Markets doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web, API, and other.
Do ORTEX and OTC Markets have APIs?
Yes, both offer API access, so developers and quants can pull data programmatically or wire up their own integrations.
Should I choose ORTEX or OTC Markets?
It depends on what you're after. Pick ORTEX if short interest and insider data matter to you; go with OTC Markets if you'd rather have improved filings and order book / level II. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do ORTEX and OTC Markets cover?
Both cover stocks. ORTEX also handles ETFs, options, and currencies. OTC Markets adds bonds on top.
Do ORTEX and OTC Markets offer real-time data?
Yes, both serve real-time market data, so either works when timing matters.
Which covers international markets: ORTEX or OTC Markets?
ORTEX has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, and APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. OTC Markets is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from ORTEX and OTC Markets?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Which has a better stock screener: ORTEX or OTC Markets?
Both ORTEX and OTC Markets include stock screeners, and they differ more in interface than raw power; try both and see which one clicks for you.
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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.