Best Stock Research Tools

As a stock trader, you know that taking time to research stocks and funds you want to trade gives you an advantage, so do you use tools and subscription services that can help you trade more effectively?

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite trading tools that can help you maximize your profits, minimize losses and master the stock market.

Best Stock Research Tools

Now that you know what you’re looking for, consider testing out one of these top picks for stock research.

1. Benzinga Pro 

• Who it’s for: All levels 
• Price: Starts at $99 per month - Learn More

Tools inside Benzinga Pro include: 

• Newsfeed 
• Screener 
• Movers (Find top gainers and losers) 
• Audio Squawk 
• Stock Details 
• Why Is It Moving? 
• Calendar Suite 
• Watchlists 
• Signal Alerts (including opening gaps, block trades and options alerts) 

2. Best for Scalpers, Swing Traders and Pattern-Day Traders: BigShort

At BigShort, you can sign up at any time and take advantage of the platforms unique mixture of data science and the advanced analytics with colorful charts that are easy to interpret. You can also look into millions of quotes in mere seconds and learn about what’s going on with the most popular exchanges.

Designed with pattern-day traders, scalpers and swing traders, you can start here if you wish to build your portfolio, diversify, track dividend income and much more.

3. Countach Research

• Who’s it for: Anyone who wants to learn more about maximizing their portfolio
• Price: Video course is free; $1200 for full subscription

Countach Research makes it easy to learn about trading, gain actionable insights and profit from your investments. You can check out the video course on YouTube where Countach posts 5 new videos every week. Plus, the alerts include niche stock analysis, stock recommendations, global news, a model portfolio and thoroughly-researched insights.

4. Stock Market Guides

Stock Market Guides provides investors with a unique look at the markets as a whole. Its proprietary scanner doesn’t just scan for popular trading setups based on indicators or chart patterns.  It also shows you how that trade setup has performed historically for the stock.

The platform seeks out the best opportunities for you, sends you alerts and allows you to learn more about investing at the same time. Rich with tools like options and stock calculators, there’s something for everyone, irrespective of your level of experience.

Every service costs $49 per month, whether it be:

• Pre-Market Stock Picks (avg. 10 per day)
• Market Hours Stock Picks (avg. 4 per day)
• Pre-Market Option Picks (avg. 10 per day)
• Market Hours Option Picks (avg. 2 per day)

Every alert is backtested to ensure that you get the best information, and you can receive these alerts view email or text. 

You can also read about how to invest in these assets or check out the positive size or profit/stop calculators. Study the terms the site has listed for you so that you know the lingo. Plus, you can get specific information for swing trading (If you prefer that strategy.)

5. Simply Wall Street

Simply Wall Street is designed to help you use long-term investing wisdom that will help you, as they say, “think in decades not months”. Using the platform, you can:

• Learn about any business
• Gain insights on its performance and how that impacts the stock
• Look through trading ideas
• See information from market experts
• Use a portfolio tracker to review new assets
• Study new businesses
• Learn more about the markets with real-time updates

Anyone can get started for free and research assets that they want to move into their portfolio. You can also upgrade to Premium for $10 per month to Unlimited for $20 per month.

6. VectorVest

Whether you are buying, selling, or holding, you can use VectorVest platform to complete a full fundamental or technical analysis of any asset. VectorVest users also get:

• Ranking and graphing for over 16,000 stocks
• Safety and timing ratings
• Pre-built systems
• Stock scans
• Data-driven features throughout the site

This platform integrates with TradeStation, IBKR and QuestTrade so you can manage your entire portfolio in one place, on one screen. You get access to information that is based on mathematical and statistical models, and you can visit any time to see the most timely data as the market continuously shifts.

7. Magnifi

Who’s it for: Long term and novice investors

Price: Discovery, free; Selector, Enhancer and Account Dashboard, $150 per month

Best for who require a bit of client support, you can also learn more about investing from this platform, utilize the AI-powered investing assistant, enjoy commission-free investing, try the mobile app and take advantage of over 15,000 possible investment options. This makes Magnifi a good place to trade for both seasoned and novice traders.

8. Ziggma

• Who it’s for: All levels
• Price: Free for the basic version, $9.90/month for Ziggma Premium

Beginners and experts alike benefit greatly from Ziggma’s institutional grade quantitative stock research offering. Ziggma’s powerful algorithm scores stocks on a scale of 0-100 within a given industry, thereby helping users identify the best stocks quickly. 

9. InvestorsObserver

InvestorsObserver is a stock and options analysis platform that helps individual investors make more informed trading decisions. IO's tools are easy to understand, not because they're overly simplified, but because they've done the hard part and boiled down complex analysis into digestible scores.

InvestorsObserver is a one stop shop for all your trading essentials including: intuitive stock analysis, stock screener, personalized portfolio tracker, stock comparison tool, personalized market news, watchlists, daily newsletters, options screener and trade ideas.

10. Moomoo

• Who it’s for: Cost-conscious traders
• Price: Free

Moomoo is an intuitive investment and trading platform with pro-grade, easy-to-use tools, data, and insights. Offering a pro-level trading experience for those of all levels of expertise.

When you sign up, user can enjoy these features :

• Real-time Level 2 stock and options market data for funded accounts
• Advanced technical indicators and charting tools
• Advanced order types for professional traders
• Full extended trading hours from 4 AM to 8 PM EST
• Multi-market quoting ability
• Low fees, including $0 commission on U.S. Stocks and $0 equity options contract fees
• 5.1% APY in the Cash sweep program for new and qualified customers

You can reach out to the customer support team during the trading day via phone or email. For those who want the DIY approach, you can review the FAQs in the Help Center at any time.

There is also a large of educational tools, research options and a community with more than 20 million users across the globe.

New features from moomoo:

• New User Deposit Bonus: Deposit $100 and receive 7 fractional shares of a star-stocked bundle ("Magnificent 7" at $5 each)
• New User Transfer Bonus: Get a 1.5% cashback on your initial transfer amount (up to $300)
• Referral Bonus: Invite a new user who deposits $100 or transfers in $1,000, and receive 7 fractional shares of a star-stocked bundle ("Magnificent 7" at $5 each)

Pros

• Commission-free trading
• 6.8% margin rate
• 5.1% APY in the Cash Sweep program for new and qualified customers
• Free Level 2 data for funded brokerage accounts
• Advanced charting tools with 100+ indicators
• 37+ drawing tools, and 20 candle patterns
• Extended trading hours for advanced traders
• No minimum deposit to start an account
• 24/7 chat support

Cons

• Doesn't support fractional stocks
• No support for crypto
• Doesn’t support retirement accounts or mutual funds

11. Stock Rover

• Who it’s for: Professional investors
• Price: Free to $479.99 bi-annual subscription

Stock Rover is a comprehensive stock analysis and screening tool that gives investors access to high-quality research tools, educational content, expert analysis and more.

12. TradingView

• Who it’s for: All skill levels
• Price: Free to about $40 a month for the most in-depth packages

TradingView is a combination stock screening tool and charting package that offers a more readable charting software than some of the best investing apps on the market.

13. MS Algo

The Market Scalper Algo (MS Algo) is a tool that currently works only within TradingView to overlay your financial charts with signals to buy and sell. It also provides independent exit signals for each.

The tools can be used on equities, futures, forex and cryptocurrency. It uses proprietary technology and strategies to provide the most accurate signatures. You can setup automated alerts for your phone, email and Webhooks.

It's easy to setup and affordable. Plans start at $49 per month.

14. TradeZero

TradeZero is a unique platform that helps you invest in your own way, allowing you to use either your desktop or the mobile app. The app includes 24/7 customer support, commission-free trading options and free use of the app. If you want to step up, you can register for $59 per month to use your Pro account anywhere you like.

You can trade stocks in real-time, invest using timely data, pay low fees and complete a technical analysis on any asset you please.

TradeZero is extremely secure, adhering to all federal standards. Additionally, free limit orders and higher leverage for day traders make the platform a powerful place to trade, even if you’re new to investing.

Main Types of Stock Research Tools

There are multiple types of stock research tools available. The best ones to use will depend entirely on your trading strategy and personal preferences. Here are some of the most common types of research tools.

• Stock screeners. Stock screeners scan the entire market and give you information on average trading volume, price, chart patterns and more. You can set a predefined set of criteria. For example, you could set for stocks trading under $1 that have an average volume of at least 1 million shares. The screener will show you stocks that fit your specifications.
• Charting software. Charting software shows you the performance of a stock, fund or index over time. Charts may be shown using lines or candlesticks. Many day traders use candlestick charting software to decide when they should buy or sell.
• Stock simulators. Paper trading accounts, dummy accounts, stock simulators — whatever you’d like to call them — allow you to practice your fundamental analysis or test out trading strategies without wasting actual money. It’s a good idea to test the waters using a stock simulator first if you’re entering the market for the first time.
• Trading newsletters. Trading newsletters are expertly-crafted email or print messages that tell traders about unusual market movements, new developments and innovations and offer expert opinions on how stocks will move. Newsletters may be sent out as sparsely as every quarter or as frequently as every morning.

What to Look for in a Stock Research Tool

There are a few essential features to look for when you decide which stock research tools you want to use.

• Real-time data. If you’re a frequent trader, having the most up-to-date information is crucial. A stock’s value can change at a second’s notice, so it’s important that you have the most recent information on price, movement, charting pattern and volume. Look for stock research tools that offer real-time market streaming and charting. If you’re looking for a dummy account, look for one that allows you to trade in real time alongside the actual market — this will give you the most accurate and authentic experience.
• Customizable tool. Every trader is different. Because trading strategies vary so drastically, it’s possible to interview 10 traders and get 10 completely different answers when asked what makes a good research tool. Look for research tools that allow you to customize your experience and data.
• An easy-to-use format. The best research tool is useless if it’s too hard for you to use. Most major charting and scanning software providers allow you to enjoy a limited test run of their products before you invest in the full set of features. Run a few trades or scans with the demo version first before you buy. If your tool or app doesn’t offer a free trial version, make sure to read plenty of reviews and pay special attention to what the reviewer thought about the platform. See if you can find a free version or sample issue online. Read through it to see if you enjoy the tone and subject of the newsletter.

Research Tools to Drive Growth

No matter which research tool and trading strategy you use, remember that there are certain rules of thumb:

1. When investing, always be sure to keep your overall asset allocation in mind.
2. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks after you’ve done your research.
3. Make sure that you don’t trade more than you can afford to lose.  

Want to learn more? Check out Benzinga's guide to the best stock analysis software, best online brokers, best day trading books and best day trading courses.

Frequently Asked Questions