Tool Comparison
PCAOB AuditorSearch vs SEC.gov (EDGAR)
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, API
Best if
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want improved filings, insider data, and institutional ownership.
Pick PCAOB AuditorSearch instead if
PCAOB AuditorSearch
Free · Web
- Go this way if it's completely free.
Start here
SEC.gov (EDGAR)
Free · Web · API
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want improved filings, insider data, and institutional ownership.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR) cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, regulatory filings monitoring and official sources), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. SEC.gov (EDGAR) simply does more: 9 categories to PCAOB AuditorSearch's 2, including improved filings, insider data, and institutional ownership. PCAOB AuditorSearch counters by being completely free.
What readers say
PCAOB AuditorSearch
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SEC.gov (EDGAR)
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- SEC.gov (EDGAR)
- Broader coverage
- SEC.gov (EDGAR)9 vs 2 categories
- API access
- SEC.gov (EDGAR)
- Asset coverage
- SEC.gov (EDGAR)Adds ETFs and mutual funds
- Free plan
- Both
What PCAOB AuditorSearch does best
- Search Form AP data to identify the firm and engagement partner associated with a U.S. public-company audit report.
- Find issuers by company name, CIK, or ticker in the web interface.
- Find audit firms by name, PCAOB ID, or country and review their reported public-company audits.
- Search by engagement-partner name to review associated public-company audit reports.
- Apply filing-date filters in advanced search to limit results to a reporting period.
What SEC.gov (EDGAR) does best
- Search and open EDGAR filings for U.S. public companies, funds, insiders, institutional managers, IPOs, registration statements, proxy materials, and current reports.
- Company Search, Full Text Search, Latest Filings, Mutual Fund Search, CIK lookup, SIC lookup, EDGAR RSS feeds, and filing assistance tools from one official source.
- Search tools across full filing text since 2001, including exhibits and attachments, with filters for ticker, company, CIK, reporter name, form type, filing date, location, and incorporation jurisdiction.
- Monitor latest filings in near real time and use RSS feeds or search pages as the practical free alert layer for public users.
- Data.sec.gov public APIs for company submission histories and XBRL-derived companyconcept, companyfacts, and frames data are available without an API key.
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 | Free |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | Free: automated access policy: Automated access is monitored; the current max request rate is 10 req... |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | No | Yes |
Integrations | — | data.sec.gov public APIs, EDGAR RSS Feeds +2 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Analysts +2 more | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +4 more |
Categories covered | 2 | 9 |
Regions | — | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | Latency: Real-time and Timezone: America/New_York |
| Try it | Visit PCAOB AuditorSearch | Visit SEC.gov (EDGAR) |
Standout features
The best features of PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR).ShowHide
Standout features
What PCAOB AuditorSearch does best
- Search Form AP data to identify the firm and engagement partner associated with a U.S. public-company audit report.
- Find issuers by company name, CIK, or ticker in the web interface.
- Find audit firms by name, PCAOB ID, or country and review their reported public-company audits.
- Search by engagement-partner name to review associated public-company audit reports.
- Apply filing-date filters in advanced search to limit results to a reporting period.
What SEC.gov (EDGAR) does best
- Search and open EDGAR filings for U.S. public companies, funds, insiders, institutional managers, IPOs, registration statements, proxy materials, and current reports.
- Company Search, Full Text Search, Latest Filings, Mutual Fund Search, CIK lookup, SIC lookup, EDGAR RSS feeds, and filing assistance tools from one official source.
- Search tools across full filing text since 2001, including exhibits and attachments, with filters for ticker, company, CIK, reporter name, form type, filing date, location, and incorporation jurisdiction.
- Monitor latest filings in near real time and use RSS feeds or search pages as the practical free alert layer for public users.
- Data.sec.gov public APIs for company submission histories and XBRL-derived companyconcept, companyfacts, and frames data are available without an API key.
All details
Every attribute we track for PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR).ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | Stocks | StocksETFsMutual FundsFunds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersAnalystsInstitutional InvestorsStudents/Researchers | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsAnalystsQuants/DevelopersStudents/Researchers |
Regions | Not specified | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: CIK and Ticker | Countries: USIdentifiers: CIK and Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | Real-time |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: NoneDocs |
Integrations | Not specified | data.sec.gov public APIsEDGAR RSS FeedsEDGAR Public Dissemination Service (PDS)EDGAR API Development Toolkit for filers |
Export formats | CSV | JSONXMLPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)Country: United States | U.S. Securities and Exchange CommissionCountry: United StatesSupport: Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free | Freeautomated access policy: Automated access is monitored; the current max request rate is 10 req... |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR)?
PCAOB AuditorSearch leans toward regulatory filings monitoring and official sources, while SEC.gov (EDGAR) puts more weight on official sources, regulatory filings monitoring, and improved filings. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR) cost?
Good news: both PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR) have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: PCAOB AuditorSearch or SEC.gov (EDGAR)?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Does PCAOB AuditorSearch or SEC.gov (EDGAR) have an API?
SEC.gov (EDGAR) has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. PCAOB AuditorSearch doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose PCAOB AuditorSearch or SEC.gov (EDGAR)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick PCAOB AuditorSearch if you prefer its overall approach; go with SEC.gov (EDGAR) if you'd rather have improved filings and insider data. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR) cover?
Both cover stocks. SEC.gov (EDGAR) adds ETFs, mutual funds, and funds on top.
Does PCAOB AuditorSearch or SEC.gov (EDGAR) have real-time data?
SEC.gov (EDGAR) offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. PCAOB AuditorSearch 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.
Can I export data from PCAOB AuditorSearch and SEC.gov (EDGAR)?
PCAOB AuditorSearch exports to CSV. SEC.gov (EDGAR) is stingier about getting data out.
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