Every list on this site, including this one, uses the same method: an overall score out of 5 from up to four sub-scores, research depth, features and data, value for money and ease of use, with published weights per job. This page shows each tool's score in its main job. Market coverage is not part of the score: the Global badge shows how many of US, UK, EU and Rest of world a tool covers (partly counts as half), and the Markets filter narrows the list. Read the full methodology.
Ease of use is our own rating from using each tool. The other sub-scores follow fixed rules on facts from official pages.
Research depth
Original insight rather than republished data: its own ratings or scores, its own fair value or valuation model, original written analysis or analyst coverage, and years of financial history.
How we score it: Own ratings or scores (0 to 2) + own fair value model (1, or 0.5 for a valuation grade only) + original analysis (0 to 2) + financial history (20+ years 1, 10 years 0.75, less 0.4): score = 1 + 4 x (points / 6). Tools that mainly republish other providers' data or analyst forecasts score lower.
Weight by job: Research and ratings 45%, Find stocks with a screener 29%, Charts not used, Track my portfolio and dividends not used, Stock pick services 47%.
Features and data
The capabilities this job needs, as confirmed on official pages.
How we score it: We count the capabilities each job needs, as confirmed on official pages: score = 1 + 4 x (confirmed / capabilities for that job).
Weight by job: Research and ratings 20%, Find stocks with a screener 35%, Charts 50%, Track my portfolio and dividends 38%, Stock pick services 5%.
Value for money
What the cheapest paid plan costs, and whether you can try it free or get a refund.
How we score it: 60% price (Cheapest paid plan at its lowest list price per month (yearly billing if offered, intro offers ignored): USD 10 or less = 5, up to 20 = 4, up to 35 = 3, up to 60 = 2, over 60 = 1) and 40% free plan, trial or refund (Free plan plus free trial of a paid plan = 5, free plan only = 4, no free plan but a free trial or money-back guarantee = 2, neither = 1).
Weight by job: Research and ratings 15%, Find stocks with a screener 18%, Charts 25%, Track my portfolio and dividends 31%, Stock pick services 27%.
Ease of use
Clear layout, plain explanations and how quickly a new investor finds their way.
How we score it: Our rating for how clear the layout is and how quickly a new investor finds their way. We update it when we test the tool.
Weight by job: Research and ratings 20%, Find stocks with a screener 18%, Charts 25%, Track my portfolio and dividends 31%, Stock pick services 21%.
Score labels: 4.5 and above Excellent, 4.0 Very good, 3.5 Good, 3.0 Fair, below 3.0 Weak. I sign off the final order of every list. Read how we rank tools and how we make money.
