★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
ORTEX vs OTC Markets
Pick ORTEX if
ORTEX
Free • From $39/mo · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You care about short interest, insider data, and quant, things OTC Markets doesn't offer
Pick OTC Markets if
OTC Markets
Free • Contact for pricing · Web · API · Other
- You care about improved filings, order book / level II, and official sources, things ORTEX 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
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: 14 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
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
OTC Markets
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- ORTEX
- Broader coverage
- ORTEX14 vs 6 categories
- 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 • From $39/mo | Free • Contact for pricing |
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 | Market Data Licensing: note: Level 2 licenses include Level 1 licenses; CUSIP and Global OTC add-o... 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) and Python SDK | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +3 more |
Categories covered | 14 | 6 |
Regions | North America, Europe | 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 | Universe builder | — |
| Try it | Visit ORTEX | Visit OTC Markets |
Where each one shines
What ORTEX and OTC Markets each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What ORTEX and OTC Markets each do best.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.
What OTC Markets does best
- Research coverage for OTCQX, OTCQB, OTCID, Pink, and Expert Market securities through public issuer pages with quotes, charts, financials, company news, and market-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+ products when quote, trade, security-reference, or market-participant depth data is needed in production systems.
- Level 2+ for quote-book depth and market-participant information, with licensing that also includes Level 1 access.
- Access to end-of-day OTC pricing files for closing trade and quote data plus OTC-specific attributes such as Caveat Emptor flags and market tier.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ORTEX and OTC Markets, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ORTEX and OTC Markets, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptions | StocksBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers |
Regions | North AmericaEurope | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: 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 SDK | Not specified |
Export formats | CSV | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builder | 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.
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 | Free“Public Website” |
| Entry paid plan | $39/mo“Basic Annual” | Subscription“Market Data Licensing”note: Level 2 licenses include Level 1 licenses; CUSIP and Global OTC add-o... |
| 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” | — |
| Custom / enterprise | — | Contact sales“OTC Disclosure API”rate limit per min: 1,000 |
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 and options. 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 and Europe), 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?
ORTEX exports to CSV. OTC Markets is stingier about getting data out.
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.
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.