Tool Comparison
ORTEX vs The Zen of Investing
- Paid from
- $39/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, API
Best if
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
Best if
- You want corporate actions & special situations.
Start here
ORTEX
Free • From $39/mo · Web · Mobile · API
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
Pick The Zen of Investing instead if
The Zen of Investing
Free · Web
- You want corporate actions & special situations.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOther tools you might like
Outbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Not set on either one? See the top 50 tools, ranked by user votes, or the deals page for big discounts on popular tools.
Our take
The bottom line
ORTEX and The Zen of Investing cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, calendar and blogs), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. ORTEX simply does more: 16 categories to The Zen of Investing's 3, including short interest, insider data, and quant, plus a mobile app. The Zen of Investing counters by being completely free.
What readers say
ORTEX
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
The Zen of Investing
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- ORTEX
- Broader coverage
- ORTEX16 vs 3 categories
- Mobile app
- ORTEX
- API access
- ORTEX
- Global coverage
- ORTEX
- Asset coverage
- ORTEXAdds ETFs and options
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 The Zen of Investing does best
- Tracking definitively announced upcoming spinoffs with company names, transaction details, timing, and supporting source links where available.
- Review recent spinoffs to find completed transactions, prospectuses, investor decks, and related company materials.
- The site as a focused spinoff calendar when broader market news tools bury special-situation events.
- Open press releases, investor presentations, prospectuses, and filings from the event lists.
- Discovery tools for archived investor-relations PDFs from major spinoff companies when original context matters.
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 |
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 | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | No |
API access | Yes | No |
Broker sync | No | — |
Integrations | Microsoft Excel (Add-in), Python SDK +1 more | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 16 | 3 |
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 | — |
Capabilities | 4 signals: Universe builder, Multi-leg options +2 more | — |
| Try it | Visit ORTEX | Visit The Zen of Investing |
Standout features
The best features of ORTEX and The Zen of Investing.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 The Zen of Investing does best
- Tracking definitively announced upcoming spinoffs with company names, transaction details, timing, and supporting source links where available.
- Review recent spinoffs to find completed transactions, prospectuses, investor decks, and related company materials.
- The site as a focused spinoff calendar when broader market news tools bury special-situation events.
- Open press releases, investor presentations, prospectuses, and filings from the event lists.
- Discovery tools for archived investor-relations PDFs from major spinoff companies when original context matters.
All details
Every attribute we track for ORTEX and The Zen of Investing.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsCurrencies | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPAC | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | MinuteEOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | Not specified |
API auth & delivery | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python | Not specified |
Integrations | Microsoft Excel (Add-in)Python SDKMCP | Not specified |
Export formats | CSV | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builderMulti-leg optionsGreeksEarnings vol edge | Not specified |
Vendor & support | Ortex Technologies LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Email and Phone | Support: Email |
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 |
| 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”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” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between ORTEX and The Zen of Investing?
ORTEX leans toward short interest, insider data, and quant, while The Zen of Investing puts more weight on corporate actions & special situations, calendar, and blogs. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do ORTEX and The Zen of Investing cost?
Good news: both ORTEX and The Zen of Investing have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Can I use ORTEX or The Zen of Investing on my phone?
ORTEX lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. The Zen of Investing doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does ORTEX or The Zen of Investing have an API?
ORTEX has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. The Zen of Investing doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose ORTEX or The Zen of Investing?
It depends on what you're after. Pick ORTEX if short interest and insider data matter to you; go with The Zen of Investing if you'd rather have corporate actions & special situations. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do ORTEX and The Zen of Investing cover?
Both cover stocks. ORTEX also handles ETFs, options, and currencies.
Does ORTEX or The Zen of Investing have real-time data?
ORTEX offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. The Zen of Investing 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.
Which covers international markets: ORTEX or The Zen of Investing?
ORTEX has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, and APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. The Zen of Investing is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from ORTEX and The Zen of Investing?
ORTEX exports to CSV. The Zen of Investing is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: ORTEX or The Zen of Investing?
ORTEX has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; The Zen of Investing 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.