10 Best Stock Screeners & Scanners of 2023 (Free & Paid)
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Can you imagine manually scanning 8,500 U.S.-listed stocks or 100,000+ globally listed stocks for investing or trading purposes? The immense numbers alone perfectly illustrate that this would not be possible without a trading tool that helps traders and investors to scan those stocks automatically based on specific criteria.
The best stock screeners help investors to scan for trade setups and time trade entries, but not every stock screener or stock scanner equals features and functionalities. Some are more convenient for day traders, some for investors, some focus on fundamental data, and others on technical analysis-based data.
Over the years, I have intensively tested and reviewed over 30 stock screeners, and below you will find my 10 favorite ones, including insights into the main features, benefits and costs.
Stock Screeners and Scanners – Top 5
- Best Stock Screener for Day Trading: Trade Ideas
- Best Stock News Scanner: Benzinga Pro
- Best Technical Stock Screener: TrendSpider
- Best Global Stock Screener: TradingView
- Best Options Screener: Black Box Stocks
Now, here are ten of the most popular stock screeners in more detail.
Best Stock Screeners
1. Trade Ideas
Trade Ideas is the best stock screener for day trading U.S. equity markets. The scanner is fast and empowered by high-end technology with servers near the stock exchange with accurate real-time stock exchange data.
Trade Ideas scans for premarket movers, gaps, low float stocks, high relative volume and hundreds of other freely configurable trade alerts.
Advanced features like the integrated backtesting interface, the brokerage account API for E-Trade, CenterPoint Securities and Interactive Brokers, and automated trading capabilities enable active traders to improve their trading results.
The Trade Ideas A.I. channel algorithm automatically scans the market for the trading setups with the highest profit potential and shows the results in real-time. Their artificial intelligence stock trading software has beaten the market benchmarks significantly.
In addition, Trade Ideas offers free trading education classes, a stock chat room, and simulated trading. Trade Ideas is on the INC 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the United States.
Pricing
Trade Ideas offers a Standard Plan with real-time streaming ideas, charts, price alerts, simulated trading and the live trading room for $118 per month or $999 annually and the Premium Plan with everything in Standard plus A.I. trading signals, backtesting, automated trading and live-trading broker API connections for $228 per month or $1,999 annually.
Main Benefits
- Stock screener with A.I. functionalities
- Gap scanners and many other pre-configured scans
- Backtesting and automated trading features
- Freely customizable scanners with ~800 filters and alerts
- Live trading room and free education included
Best Offer
For more details, please read the full Trade Ideas Review.
2. Benzinga Pro
Benzinga Pro is the best stock news scanner for traders and investors. The market news are streamed in real-time, and the integrated squawk audio reads the latest market news aloud. In addition, Benzinga Pro is a robust fundamental and technical analysis tool with integrated charts, trading indicators and stock screener functionalities.
Users can use pre-configured workspaces or create them with specific stock screener settings or market news commentary categories.
Benzinga Pro streams U.S. equity and options markets in real-time, has an integrated trader chat room and offers a 14-day free trial (a credit card is not required to sign up for starting the free trial.)
Pricing
The most worthwhile subscription is the Essential Plan for $197 per month, $547 per quarter, or $1,997 per year, which includes access to real-time quotes, the news feed, scanners, calendars, and signals.
The most expensive plan is the Options Mentorship plan for $457 per month or $4,570 per year, which includes everything of the Essential Plan plus trading mentorship and education with Nic Chahine and access to the options inner circle chat room.
Main Benefits
- Stock screener and news platform in one place
- Fundamental and technical screening criteria
- Powerful pro-features (check the review for details)
- Customizable newsfeed and audio-squawk
- Squawk box and audio alerts are available
Best Offer
- Benzinga Pro 14-Day Free Trial (Exclusive discount offer from Benzinga during the free trial period included).
Read the Benzinga Pro Review for more details and insights.
3. TrendSpider
TrendSpider is the best technical stock screener for investors. Their screener generates dynamic watchlists based on technical criteria. This way, investors discover their trade setup based on flexible scans or use one of the 20 built-in scans. Automated technical analysis, scanning, charts, backtesting, monitoring and trade alerts are supported.
The tool can also be used for backtests and trading pattern recognition. Over 55,000 assets, including stocks, ETFs, futures, commodities, and indices, are supported.
An excellent feature is that multiple timeframes can be combined for multi-timeframe analysis. This is a feature where the platform stands out. Some pre-build scanners are the MACD Cross scanner, blue Raindrop- and Ichimoku Cloud scanner. Besides the named functionalities, multi-charting and dynamic alert systems are available.
Newly added features are access to financial statements via Federal Reserve Data (FRED) and FINRA Reg SHO, dark pool trading data, fear & greed data, futures data, price seasonality, options flow and integrated Benzinga News.
Pricing
TrendSpider offers three plans. Essential costs $39 per month or $384 per year, Elite is $79 per month or $780 per year, while Elite Plus costs $179 per month or $1,620 per year. However, only Elite products have backtest capabilities, intraday scanning and multi-factor alerts, and they differ in things like the number of results per scan, workspaces and alerts.
Main Benefits
- Continuously improvements since inception
- TrendSpider University and Trading Pit Show for free
- 55,000+ assets supported
Best Offer
Please, read the TrendSpider review and best stock analysis software article for more insights.
4. TradingView
TradingView is the best global stock screener with advanced chart analysis capabilities. Heatmaps, trading strategy testing, bar replay, and comprehensive financial data make it an excellent choice for investors and traders. In addition, paper trading, online broker integration, and market news are available.
TradingView stock screener apps are available for iOS, Android and web browsers. Installable trading software for desktop users with multi-monitor support is also available.
Pricing
TradingView offers a free plan with one chart, some indicators and drawing tools. The paid plans are the Pro for $14.95, Pro+ for $29.95 and Premium for $59.95 per month available. All paid plans have similar capabilities, but the number of data sets, time frames, alerts and algorithms differ from plan to plan.
Main Benefits
- Stocks, options, ETFs, and more assets supported
- Extensive charting functionalities
- Broad coverage with 60 worldwide exchanges
Best Offer
- TradingView 30-day free trial (Exclusive discount offer from TradingView during the free trial period included).
For advanced information on TradingView, see the detailed TradingView Review.
5. Black Box Stocks
Black Box Stocks is the best options screener with unusual option scans and also comes with multiple stock screening, education and community features for traders and investors.
Users can apply 17 filters to real-time options flow and color-code the options alerts. Free access to the trading chat room and real-time market news covered via TheFly complete the offer. It is Possible to scan stocks on all North-American exchanges, including large-cap stocks, mid-cap, small-cap and even penny stocks (during premarket hours, regular trading hours and after-hours).
Black Box Stock is especially worth a subscription for those uncertain about what assets to trade (stocks, or options) and which trading strategy to use.
Pricing
Full access to all features and tools costs $99.97 per month or $959 per year.
Main Benefits
- Stock and options scanner included
- Knowledgeable community and discord trading channel
- Free education in trading and platform handling
Best Offer
- 20% Discount on all Black Box Stocks subscriptions with this link (the discount will be applied automatically during signup).
My comprehensive Black Box Stocks review provides you with detailed insights to the platform features and costs.
6. Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha is a good stock screener app and surprises with simplicity and advanced features like quant ratings, pre-configured stock screeners and SEC-filings access.
Users can screen fundamental data (ratings, earnings, dividends, company financials, valuations, various growth metrics, etc.). It is also possiblel compare selected companies against their peers and use the integrated charting capabilities, tables and graphs for visualization.
The amount of historical data is remarkable, and the combination of insightful analysis, extensive articles and various rank metrics make Seeking Alpha an excellent choice for investors.
The web-based tool has exceptional strengths in stock research, convinces with clever features like well-performing quant ratings and brokerage account linking, and comes with an easy-to-understand user interface. It is primarily suited for buy-and-hold investors.
Pricing
Seeking Alpha offers an all-in-one subscription for $239 per year with access to all features and functionalities.
Main Benefits
- Good stock screener with extensive stock research capabilities
- Quant stock rating system integrated
- 14-day free trial available
Best Offer
Further reading: Best Stock Research Websites
7. Finviz Elite
Finviz is the best free stock screener for U.S. equity markets and scans based on end-of-day data (daily, weekly, and monthly time frame). I frequently use Finviz to check technicals, fundamentals and news on stocks.
The paid Finviz Premium stock screener goes a bit further and includes features such as real-time data, advanced charting, data filters, a backtest engine, and advanced Finviz stock screener settings.
Pricing
Finviz has a free plan without registration with access to some basic capabilities, a free plan with email registration that includes more free functionalities, and Finviz Elite ($39.50/month or $299.50/year).
Main Benefits
- Free daily, weekly and monthly charts
- Reasonable pricing for Finviz Elite
Best Offer
Please, read the in-depth Finviz Review to learn more about all features.
8. Stock Rover
Stock Rover is the best fundamental stock screener for NYSE, Nasdaq and Toronto Exchange-listed companies for stock correlation analysis, fundamental data evaluation, and robust investment research.
Stock Rover is the ultimate upgrade if you use a free stock screener like MSN Money or Yahoo Finance. The fundamental stock screener combines detailed screening, investment research and chart analysis.
More than 650 supported analysis metrics (EPS, ratings, divdiends, market capitalization, etc.), 10 years of detailed financial data (stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, etc.), data exports capabilities, detailed correlation analysis and broker integration, make Stock Rover an excellent stock screener for swing traders and value investors.
Features like advanced portfolio analytics, future dividend income projection, portfolio simulation, and portfolio rebalancing of connected brokerage accounts make Stock Rover a unique, low-cost tool.
The extensive analysis capabilities can be tested for 14 days with all data, including portfolio analysis, stock and ETF comparison, portfolio management, research reports and dividend screening.
Pricing
Stock Rover Essentials costs $7.99/month, the Premium Plan $17.99/month,and the Premium Plus Plan $27.99/month. With pre-paid annual subscriptions, you get 2 months for free. All plans primarily differ regarding fundamental research metrics and historical data range.
Main Benefits
- Excessive database with 10 years of historical data
- 650+ financial metrics available
- Equation screening and correlation analysis
- Powerful financial report capabilities with real-time report generation
- Excellent value investing, swing trading, and stock screener functionalities
Best Offer
9. TC2000
TC2000 is a trading software with extensive stock screener and charting capabilities, with an integrated paper account.
The premarket Pre Buzz column helps finding stocks with unusual activity in the premarket quicker. Another excellent scanner functionality is the historical scan results tool, where you can go back in time to see what stocks hit the scanner with the defined criteria. Version 23 enables users to choose their preferred refresh interval, with choices ranging from real-time to hourly updates.
Pricing
TC2000 offers a Silver Plan for $9.99 per month (comes with stock charting, notes, watchlists and access to the trading module. In addition, the Gold Plan is $29.99 per month with access to the stock and options screener, workspaces, alerts, graphs and formula writing. Finally, the Platinum Plan for $59.98 per month adds historical condition testing and scan results, automatic refresh intervals, up to 1,000 alerts and market timing indicators.
Main Benefits
- All-in-one trading tool
- Options charting with historical bid/ask data
- Integrated paper trading account and trading journal feature
Best Offer
- TC2000 discount of up to $15 Off per month (30-day money-back guarantee included)
10. Zacks Premium
Zacks is a stock research platform where investors can find short and long-term stock picks. The investment tool is unique because investors can access an entirely ranked universe of stocks with grades A to F, where the A-graded stocks make it to the Zacks Rank #1 list rating system, reflecting a virtual portfolio that has gained 24.3% annually since 1988.
The portfolio tracker, watchlists, equity research reports, fundamental analysis data and integrated stock charts are additional features that help analyze stocks.
Pricing
The all-in-one subscription costs $249 per year with access to all the Premium plan’s tools, features and functionalities.
Main Benefits
- Algorithmic-based stock grades with good long-term performance of A+ graded stocks
- Pre-configured stock screeners included
- 30-day free trial for Zacks Premium
Best Offer
How to Choose a Stock Screener
You start by evaluating your needs and then look at the best options where price and value are well balanced.
You will also need to choose whether a standalone screener or a screener that is part of a larger platform. Day trading platforms and all-in-one technical analysis tools often include a screener, but in some cases, it is only a side product and not the best choice.
A dedicated stock scanner is typically the better option since those are directly developed for scanning purposes.
Here are some of the things to consider when evaluating a stock screener:
- What global markets are you interested in? (North America, Europe, Asia etc.)
- What other assets do you want to trade and invest (mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, forex or even cryptocurrencies).
- Does free end-of-day data suffice, or do you need real-time tick data?
- Is it sufficient to have out-of-the-box pre-defined scans, or do you need coding language capabilities?
Best Stock Screener – Conclusion
My favorite stock screener for day trading is Trade Ideas, followed by Benzinga Pro and TradingView. All three tools know to convince with fast market data, a great selection of stock screener settings, and an easy-to-use platform. Still, backtesting, automated trading, and A.I. trade signals are only available with Trade Ideas, which makes it the clear winner.
For options traders, Black Box Stocks is an exciting scanner that can scan for unusual options activity (they also have basic stock scans). The filter options are really good, and the screener is fast and accurate.
The stock screeners from TrendSpider and TradingView are the top choices for technical analysis with a well-balanced stock screener and stock charting features while Seeking Alpha and Stock Rover have the most complete historical and fundamental data for company analysis
See Also: Best Momentum Scanner
Guide
Like so many times in life, there is no one-fits-all solution when looking for the best stock screener. Day traders need fast and accurate data, technical analysts need excellent charting capabilities, and long-term investors want to know more about dividends, market capitalization, etc.
So, all-in-all, you have two choices on how to find your favorite stock screener. One is to test all stock screeners (free trial, one-month subscription, money-back guarantee option), or you define your exact requirements first and specifically choose your favorite stock screener.
Stock Screeners for Investors
Stock screeners work beneficially in primarily two ways for stock investors. First, investors who know what they are searching for. They use the tool to scan the market, filter stocks based on fundamental and technical criteria, and finally, use the stock chart for visual confirmation.
Stock Screeners for Day Traders and Advanced Analysis
Second, stock screeners can be used for complex data analysis to identify the best trading strategies and opportunities. That can be done by using the often integrated backtest capabilities of stock scanners.
The question of wheater to use a free or a paid stock screener primarily depends on the type of investment philosophy. Actively trading stocks is different from traditional investing. It makes a real difference regarding the focus a tool should have. Real-time intraday data is more expansive than end-of-day data. A web-based platform to screen stocks is often cheaper than a software solution.
Free vs. Paid Stock Screeners
Free trials on paid screeners and entirely free stock screeners are typically the best way to get started. Testing multiple scanners helps finding the best solution. The price paid for a stock screener should also be in the proper ratio to the overall investment budget.
Stock Screener Types
Pre-configured stock screener: Pre-configured screens help investors and traders get started efficiently by selecting a defined screener and getting results visualized immediately. Popular pre-configured scans are premarket gappers, earnings surprises, high relative volume and market cap.
Custom stock screener: Custom screens enable users to define their filter criterion to archive more specific scanner results. Filters can be specific stock exchanges, fundamental data such as market cap, or data such as position in the previous day range on high relative volume.
Community stock screener: Many traders and investors want to help each other save time and archive the best possible results by sharing their stock screener settings with others. Community-based screener settings are frequently shared with specific URLs that contain the relevant settings.
3rd-party stock screener: The market of trading systems and custom scan developers appears endless. Users must be cautious with such products since sellers in this niche frequently protect the source code, which makes it impossible for users to see what the system does and what sensible data is shared.
FAQ
What is a stock screener?
A stock screener scans the stock market based on selected criteria and visualizes a list of scan results in lists or graphs.
Are stock screeners worth it?
Yes, stock screeners are worth it. They help traders focus on the right stocks at the right time and allow investors to find them based on insightful fundamental data.
What is the GCD Scanner for stocks?
GCD stands for Gann Cycle Decoder. This type of stock screener identifies buy and sell signals based on technical analysis concepts developed by W.D. Gann, who used geometry patterns, ancient mathematics and astrology to predict financial market events. TradingView is the best stock scanner to scan for GCD patterns.
How to build your own stock screener?
You can build your stock screener with the help of Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Begin by downloading historical data from the internet, importing the CSV files in Excel, and analyzing your stocks using custom formulas based on your requirements. Yet, while building your stock screener with those tools sounds cheap and good, it has some pitfalls since reliable data costs money, and you need a lot of time to develop and maintain the stock scanner.
What is the best ASX stock screener?
TradingView is the best stock screener for scanning stocks on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The free subscription works well for delayed data, and for a small monthly fee, real-time market data can be added for more detailed analysis.
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