I spent way too much time (and money) testing stock analysis tools before finding the ones that are actually worth using. Most paid tools aren’t worth the subscription. And a lot of the “free” ones are just lead magnets with barely any functionality.
But after months of testing, I found 12 free stock analysis software tools that genuinely help me make better investment decisions. Some have paid upgrades worth considering, but the free tiers alone are solid.
Editor’s Pick
Seeking Alpha Premium
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Here’s everything I use, ranked by how useful they’ve actually been for my portfolio. No affiliate BS rankings—just what works.
The Tools I Actually Use for Stock Research
Quick context: I’ve used each of these for at least a few weeks (most for months) before adding them here. If the free version was useless or felt like a bait-and-switch, it’s not on this list.
1. Seeking Alpha
Best Overall
Seeking Alpha is my go-to for stock research. The free version includes a portfolio tracker, conference call transcripts, historical price charts, financial metrics, and analysis articles from contributors. The 7-day free trial of Premium unlocks Quant Ratings and stock screeners if you want to test the paid features.
Portfolio tracker
Earnings call transcripts
Bullish/bearish analysis
7-day free trial
Try Seeking Alpha Free →
My experience: This is where I start for any stock I’m considering. The contributor analysis gives you perspectives you won’t find on CNBC. Premium is worth it if you trade actively, but the free tier alone is solid.
2. Stock Rover
Best Screener
Stock Rover covers 8,500+ North American stocks, 4,000+ ETFs, and 40,000+ mutual funds. The free plan includes multiple charts, analyst ratings, rankings, and market news. It also integrates with your brokerage for portfolio management.
8,500+ stocks covered
Analyst ratings & rankings
Brokerage integration
Portfolio management
Try Stock Rover Free →
My experience: Best free screener I’ve found. The Essential plan at $7.99/month is worth it for the 5-year historical data, but the free version handles basic screening perfectly.
3. TradingView
Best Charts
TradingView is the charting tool everyone uses for a reason. Real-time data, 100+ pre-built studies, customizable technical analysis, and stock screeners—all free with no download required. Works on desktop and mobile.
Real-time data
100+ pre-built studies
Desktop & mobile
Bitcoin tracking
Try TradingView Free →
My experience: The charting is unmatched. I use the free version daily and it’s more than enough for most traders. The community scripts and indicators are a huge bonus.
4. Robinhood
Free Stock Bonus
Robinhood is light on research tools compared to others, but the commission-free trades and generous margin trading make it worth including. Plus, you can trade directly from the platform—stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. New users get a free stock just for signing up.
Free stock for signing up
Commission-free trades
Stocks, ETFs, crypto
Trade from app
Claim Your Free Stock →
My experience: Not the best for research, but I use it for execution. The free stock bonus is a nice kickback just for opening an account.
5. Benzinga Pro
Real-Time News
When real-time information matters, Benzinga Pro delivers. The free version includes NASDAQ quotes (15-min delayed), the newsfeed, a watchlist, and key stock stats. Paid plans ($27-$347/month) add real-time quotes, audio squawk, and the scanner day traders love.
Real-time newsfeed
Stock watchlist
Key stats dashboard
Mobile app
Try Benzinga Pro →
My experience: The newsfeed is fast—I’ve caught market-moving stories here before they hit mainstream outlets. The free tier is solid for staying informed.
6. Finviz
Visual Screener
Finviz is one of the best visual stock screeners out there. The free version includes quotes, charts, screen captures, and the ability to track 50 portfolios with 50 tickers each. The catch: quotes are delayed 5 minutes, not real-time.
Visual heat maps
50 portfolios, 50 tickers each
Stock screener
36 charts per table
Try Finviz Free →
My experience: The heat maps are addicting. Great for getting a quick visual read on market sectors. The 5-minute delay is annoying but manageable for swing traders.
7. TC2000
Trading Simulator
TC2000 is free to download and includes a trading simulator so you can practice without risking real money. Features include a stock/options screener, charts, watchlists, built-in option strategies, alerts, and custom layouts. Eight pre-designed layouts to choose from.
Free trading simulator
Stock & options screener
Custom alerts
8 pre-built layouts
Download TC2000 Free →
My experience: The simulator is great for testing strategies without blowing up your account. Paid plans ($9.99-$89.98) add more features, but the free version is enough to learn on.
8. Scanz
7-Day Free Trial
Scanz lets you combine technical and fundamental variables to create custom scans, or use pre-built ones. The Pro Scanner runs real-time pre- and post-market sessions. Easy Scanner and News Scanner help you find which stocks are moving.
Custom scan builder
Pre/post-market scanning
News scanner
7-day free trial
Try Scanz Free →
My experience: The customization is insane—you can scan for almost anything. The free trial is worth testing, but at $149/month after that, it’s more for active day traders.
9. Yahoo Finance
100% Free
Yahoo Finance isn’t fancy, but it’s completely free and surprisingly capable. You get 100+ technical indicators, real-time quotes, charts, and can trade directly through their partner Trade.it. Perfect for beginners who don’t need advanced features.
100+ technical indicators
Real-time quotes
Trade from charts
Completely free
Use Yahoo Finance →
My experience: Don’t sleep on Yahoo Finance. It’s basic but gets the job done. I still use it for quick quote checks and basic charting.
10. StockCharts.com
Real-Time Charts
StockCharts provides real-time charting and custom technical alerts. The free version includes 3 technical indicators and 3 overlays per chart, plus BATS real-time data for domestic markets. Paid plans ($14.95-$39.95/month) unlock 25 indicators.
Real-time charting
Custom technical alerts
BATS real-time data
Desktop & mobile
Try StockCharts Free →
My experience: Solid charting tool for both active and passive traders. The free version is limited to 3 indicators, but that’s enough for basic technical analysis.
11. NinjaTrader
Futures & Options
NinjaTrader is a free platform for simulating futures and options trading. Features include advanced charting, backtesting, real-time analysis of hundreds of markets, and trade directly from charts. You can trade with as little as $400.
Unlimited simulated trading
Advanced charting
Backtesting
$400 minimum to trade
Try NinjaTrader Free →
My experience: Great for learning futures without risking real money. The backtesting feature is surprisingly robust for a free platform.
12. CNN Money
Market News
CNN Money is similar to Yahoo Finance—simple but effective. Easy access to international stock info from the homepage, plus breaking market news and developments. Good for staying informed without information overload.
International stocks
Breaking market news
Simple interface
100% free
Use CNN Money →
My experience: I use this more for market news than analysis. It’s a good complement to more technical tools.
My #1 Recommendation
Seeking Alpha Premium
Get Quant Ratings, advanced screeners, expert stock picks, and real-time alerts. This is the tool I use every single day for research.
Start Your 7-Day Free Trial →
No credit card required to start. Cancel anytime.
TL;DR
If you only use a few: Seeking Alpha (best overall research), TradingView (best charts), and Stock Rover (best screener). All three have solid free tiers.
For beginners, Yahoo Finance and Robinhood are easy starting points. For active traders, test the Scanz and Benzinga Pro trials.
Don’t pay for premium until you’ve maxed out what the free versions offer. Most people never need to upgrade.
Happy to answer questions if anyone wants more details on specific tools or how I use them together.