★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source check: The Zen of Investing checked August 4, 2026
Tool Comparison
ORTEX vs The Zen of Investing
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 care about corporate actions & special situations, something 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 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: 14 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
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The Zen of Investing
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- ORTEX
- Broader coverage
- ORTEX14 vs 3 categories
- Mobile app
- ORTEX
- API access
- ORTEX
- Global coverage
- ORTEX
- Asset coverage
- ORTEXAdds ETFs and options
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 |
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 | Yes | No |
API access | Yes | No |
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 | 14 | 3 |
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 | — |
Capabilities | Universe builder | — |
| Try it | Visit ORTEX | Visit The Zen of Investing |
Where each one shines
What ORTEX and The Zen of Investing each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What ORTEX and The Zen of Investing 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 The Zen of Investing does best
- Tracking definitively announced upcoming spinoffs with company names, transaction details, timing, and supporting source links where available.
- Views for reviewing 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.
- Direct access to direct links to press releases, investor presentations, prospectuses, and filings before building a research file.
- Monitoring SEC prospectus and tender-offer RSS feeds for new special-situation filings.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ORTEX and The Zen of Investing, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for ORTEX and The Zen of Investing, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptions | Stocks |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEurope | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: 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 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 | Support: Email |
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 | — |
| 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 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 and options.
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 and Europe), 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.
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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.