10 Best Stock Research Websites – Investing Homework Sites
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Learning to walk before you run is good advice in many endeavors. Buying the hottest stock picks of the day without doing your research can be hazardous for beginners, and even veterans, in investing in the stock market.
Stock research websites can help. They can offer stock recommendations, provide real-time data, market news, and analysis tools to help everyone from beginners to day traders research stocks, find a trading platform and brokerages that works best for you, and even help you formulate an investment strategy.
Here are the best stock research websites to help you do a stock analysis that should make investment decisions much easier. Each review includes some of each site’s top research tools, if a premium service is offered, and how much that extra service costs, among other things.
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- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
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- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
In this article
Overview of the best stock research websites
Website | Best for |
Morningstar | Beginners |
Motley Fool Stock Advisor | Two monthly stock picks |
The Wall Street Journal | News |
Seeking Alpha | Stock research |
Zacks Investment Research | Stock research |
Stock Rover | Data analysis |
Yahoo Finance | Portfolio analytics |
TradingView | Real-time data and trading |
TheStreet | Ample stock advice |
Trade Ideas | Artificial intelligence-led stock picks |
What are stock investment research websites and software?
These websites give you access to a treasure trove of data so you can decide how to deploy your investing capital. What does this data look like? Everything you can think of and then some. A company's earnings history, how it is performing compared to peers, its historical stock price, comments by management, and much, much more. These traditional and alternative data points serve one purpose: to give you an edge in the stock market.
Stock picking demands considerable analysis, and these websites and software help make that process just a little bit easy. Make no mistake; it's still a very time-consuming process. But when you have the right data, you can be sure you'll make the correct decision. These investing tools also help you define your risk tolerance, budget, and investing style. Who knows, maybe you'll find the next Apple or Amazon.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Why is stock market research important?
By now, you've probably gathered that stock market research is important. But why? Just like you wouldn't buy a car, a house, or even a new phone without research, you shouldn't invest in stocks without doing homework. Knowing a company's past performance provides an insight into what its future might look like. No crystal ball can accurately predict if a company's share price will appreciate, but utilizing tools provided by investment research websites and software will help you make an educated guess.
Conducting research is also important because it can help you identify trends. Maybe the company has a negative cash flow. Or perhaps it has a large debt load consistently growing over time? These red flags may point to serious issues at the company. But you can avoid losing money by utilizing data-driven investing and investment research websites and software.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Best stock research websites
Motley Fool Stock Advisor - TOP PICK!
I’ve been reading The Motley Fool for years, returning to when it ran a weekly newspaper column with fun writing and advice on stock picks that made investing interesting. The Motley Fool Stock Advisor, however, is a little different.
Features
- It provides two new stock picks every month, which, if bought when first recommended, can result in very high returns.
- Stock Advisor has a track record of outperforming the S&P 3-to-1 by finding overlooked companies (historical returns and past performance are not a guarantee of future performance ).
- It recommends holding stocks for at least five years and has a history of picking some top stocks today. (Its founders were early investors in Amazon and Netflix.)
- Five stock recommendations for beginners.
- You also get real-time alerts on when you should buy a stock and dump a holding.
- 24/7 portfolio monitoring and toll-free customer service.
Costs
Users must pay a subscription fee. The annual fee is $199. However, Joy Wallet readers who haven't yet subscribed to Stock Advisor can enjoy a 55% discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- Market-beating returns.
- Suitable for long-term investors.
- Attractive price point.
Cons
- May not be ideal for day traders.
- You may have to buy other Motley Fool products for higher returns.
- Requires a lot of investment capital if you buy all the recommended stocks.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Morningstar
Morningstar is easy to scan and get an idea of the best research tools you want to use when you log in. The website looks like an easy-to-read blog and personal finance news site, with a news feed and a lot of information to help you find investment opportunities.
Features
- Stock screening to help you conduct analysis.
- Educational resources for beginners.
- News stories and stock charts.
- Videos, podcasts, and all kinds of personal finance content to help beginners.
- Starter stocks are ideal for new investors.
- Investment picks from 200 independent analysts.
Costs
The basic site is free, with articles and research tools available without costing you money. Premium service costs $34.95 for one month. Better deals can be bought by paying for one year or more in advance, such as $249 for one year, which works out to $20.75 per month. A 7-day free trial to check out the Premium services is available.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- All the tools you can think of to analyze a potential investment.
- Morningstar is one of the few research services offering sustainable investing options.
- Ideal for value investors.
Cons
- Not suitable for day traders.
- Cost is on the high side.
- You'll have to input data manually when using the Portfolio X-Ray tool.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal has some of the best journalism, not just for investors. It covers world and U.S. news along with sports, tech, politics, and the arts, among other topics. It has been the go-to read for any investor, covering every aspect of the market, from growth stocks to mutual funds and index funds to cryptocurrency news.
Features
- Pulitzer prize-winning journalism.
- The Journal covers a wide range of topics.
- Subscribers get real-time news and stock information, with enough stock analysis and technical analysis to help them find the best stock picks.
- You can also access podcasts run by WSJ and videos on major news items.
Costs
Reading stock market news on the WSJ isn’t free, though. The WSJ requires a paid subscription to read any of its articles online or through a print subscription. Or you could go to your local library and read it for free and could spend most of an afternoon reading the print version from cover to cover.
An all-access digital pass is $4 per month for one year if you are a student. New subscriptions to the print edition include digital access and cost $24.59 to $30 per month for one year.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- All the articles you can read.
- A digital subscription is easy on the pockets.
- A great website to stay in the know of what's happening in finance.
Cons
- Not feature-rich like other stock research websites.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Seeking Alpha
At first glance, Seeking Alpha can be overwhelming. It offers tons of information to review, from basic stock analysis and trending news to peer comparisons, earnings details, ratings, and enough tables and charts to keep you occupied for hours. You can easily overanalyze a stock if you want to.
Features
- Quant ratings are probably Seeking Alpha's biggest selling point.
- Author ratings tell you what members think of a particular stock.
- Stock screener with several features so you can cut through the noise.
- Tools to help you identify dividend stocks to earn passive income.
- Earnings call transcripts.
- You can link your brokerage account with your Seeking Alpha account for easy portfolio management.
- Seeking Alpha makes it easy to find and view the information you want, with metrics you can use to review stock picks in the best format.
Costs
Its Premium service costs $239 per year. It includes more extensive stock research capabilities. A more robust Pro subscription costs $200 per month if you pay annually and includes exclusive newsletters and a VIP editorial concierge.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- Easy cancelations if you're unsatisfied.
- Seeking Alpha's editors to pore over all content before it goes live.
- A ratings system helps you find the right investment.
Cons
- The free version is too basic and may force some users to spend money.
- All the data at your fingertips can be overwhelming at times.
- The top-paid tier is expensive.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Zacks Investment Research
Zacks Investment Research doesn’t look as sharp as some other stock market websites, but search for a stock in the upper right corner, and you’ll find a ton of information, such as research reports, technical analysis, news, and charts to help you analyze stocks.
Features
- The ranking system makes it easy to find a profitable investment.
- The stock screener tool comes with predefined screens.
- Whether you're looking for the best mutual funds, ETFs, or just want to remain updated with news, there are plenty of newsletters to choose from, which are all free.
- Stock recommendations are backed by extensive research.
Costs
Much of the website is free to use. The Zacks Premium service charges a fee to get extras such as a stock advisor newsletter and premium research through rankings by Zacks. The Premium service is free for 30 days. After the free trial, the Premium service costs $249 per year. Ideal for long-term investors, Zacks Investor Collection is $495 per year, while Zacks Ultimate will be billed at $2,995 annually.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- Ideal for rookie investors.
- Ranking systems help you find profitable stocks.
- Predefined screens.
Cons
- A few paid plans may be too expensive for some people.
- Less-than-ideal website UI.
- Canceling a subscription isn't always easy.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Stock Rover
Stock Rover requires signing up to get its free version, which includes plenty of data analysis that’s easy to read. Some of its data can be exported as PDF files to look at later. Stock Rover was founded in 2008, just as the Great Recession tightened its grip on the world's economies. While finance pros create most investment research websites, Stock Rover was started by software engineers with a passion for investing.
Features
- Subscribers can connect their brokerage accounts to the Stock Rover portfolio analysis tool.
- Its screening tool is considered among the best.
- There are also comparison tools on offer.
- You can access research reports and charts to compare portfolios and other items.
Costs
While the free version is worth checking out, the Stock Rover's paid services provide much more information. Essentials is $79.99 per annum, Premium costs $179.99 yearly, and Premium Plus is $279.99 annually.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- Ideal for hands-on investors.
- Detailed research reports.
- Plenty of data to go around.
Cons
- New investors may feel a little out of depth with so much data in easy access.
- Power users may have to shell out money.
- Doesn't work well on mobile.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance may be one of the oldest stock market websites around. It provides free stock quotes and a news feed that can help you stay on top of the stocks you’re interested in. Its stock screener can help you find the top gainers and losers, view exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, and follow major currencies.
Features
- Its premium service, called Yahoo Finance Plus, has advanced analytics
- You can also access detailed company profiles and portfolio analytics
- Intuitive data visualizations are also a part of the subscription.
- As you might expect from a search engine, the premium service includes daily trade ideas based on your interests. I especially like how it shows how your portfolio is doing in a basic format.
Costs
After a free 14-day trial, the premium service is $35 monthly, or you can save $70 in a year by buying an annual membership for $350.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
TradingView
TradingView has some of the best charts, and research sites such as Zacks run on them, too. Many sites have reliable end-of-day data, and TradingView has that, too. The website is visited by more than 30 million traders and investors monthly.
Features
- Real-time data from NASDAQ and NYSE.
- It also has hundreds of pre-built studies built with popular indicators, alerts, and data to compare stocks.
- Trading can be done on TradingView through brokers it works with, a unique service among the stock research websites.
- Stock, forex, and crypto screeners.
Costs
Its subscription services cost $14.95 to $60 per month, with two months free if you buy an annual plan.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- Excellent charting system
- Many exchanges and markets are supported
- Plenty of research tools.
Cons
- The website isn't well organized
- Pricing may be too expensive for new investors.
- Customer service leaves more to be desired.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
TheStreet
TheStreet offers much information to help you chart a successful path on your investment journey. From cryptocurrency to personal finance and investing, TheStreet has something for everyone. It was founded in 1996.
Features
- Real-time market data on the U.S. market indexes.
- Real-time news stories.
- Stock screeners, stock research, trading ideas, and analyst ratings.
- A variety of newsletters to suit your interests.
Costs
Depending on your subscription, you can expect $200 to $2,800 per year.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- TheStreet offers a 14-day free trial.
- News articles are free to read.
- Has the backing of CNBC's Jim Cramer.
Cons
- Canceling a subscription isn't easy.
- The website has too many ads even when you move to a paid plan.
- The best features require a subscription.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Trade Ideas
Trade Ideas perhaps isn't as well known as some of the others on this list, but it is a feature-rich website that aims to help you maximize returns. Its biggest edge is artificial intelligence. While other websites have staff dedicated to investment recommendations, an AI called Holly does that for Trade Ideas.
Features
- Investment recommendations made by AI.
- You can create scans to identify trading opportunities.
- Training sessions to refresh your knowledge.
- Backtesting and newsfeed.
Costs
The cheapest Standard plan costs $999 per year, while the most expensive is $2,000 annually.
The Motley Fool is offering its top stock-picking service at 50% off for new members.*
*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 50% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.
Pros
- Pre-defined channels give you insights into various investment sectors.
- Simulated trading.
- Great for day trading.
Cons
- There's no mobile app.
- Subscriptions are pricey.
- Limited options when it comes to automated trading.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Best stock research websites summary
Website | Starting cost | Premium | Free trial available |
Morningstar | Free | $34.95/mo | 14 days |
Motley Fool Stock Advisor | $199/year | No | No |
The Wall Street Journal | $4/month | $20+ | No |
Seeking Alpha | Free | $239/year | 14 days |
Zacks Investment Research | Free | $249/year | 30 days |
Stock Rover | Free | $18/mo | 14 days |
Yahoo Finance | Free | $35/mo, $350/yr | 14 days |
TradingView | Free | $14.95 to $60/mo | 30 days |
TheStreet | Free | $200 - $2,800 per year | 14 days |
Trade Ideas | NA | $999 - $2,000 per year | None |
FAQs
Should I just do my stock research for free online?
Yes, free is the best way to start. Try a few stock research websites for free and see what works best for you. Most give new users two weeks to explore their premium services for free, and then you can decide if paying the monthly fee is worth it.
Can I cancel a subscription?
Yes. All of these services allow a full refund and cancellation within 30 days of purchase, and some allow cancellation at any time. You should be aware that most will automatically renew a subscription when it expires, either in a month or year, so keep track of what that date is and cancel it if you want to a few days before it renews.
Are these services stockbrokers?
No. A few allow you to connect your stock brokerage to their services, or will connect you with a broker, but they’re not brokerages. They’re stock research websites that don’t trade stocks.
How do I find the best stocks?
There are a few things you can do: Look at the company's dividend history and earnings growth. Another thing you should look into is its competitive advantage.
Why is stock research so important?
It helps you identify trends and make decisions to help you earn the highest return on investment.
Use Motley Fool's Stock Advisor To Invest
- Over 100 Stock Picks with 100%+ Returns
- Averaged Stock Pick Return over 593% (vs. 165% for the S&P)
- 2 New Stock Picks Every Month
- Investment Community With 700,000+ Loyal Members
- 30-Day Membership-Fee-Back Guarantee
- Joy Wallet Reader Deal: The Motley Fool is offering 50% off its top stock-picking service for new members (Limited Time)
Why you should use stock research websites
Like many other things you do online, stock research websites can help you gather and analyze information. Stocks can be difficult to understand, and many websites I recommend have basic information to help beginners understand a company’s financial picture.
The bottom line
If you’re thinking of investing in stocks, typing in your favorite company’s name into a search engine may seem like the easiest way to start researching how good of an investment it can be.
That’s a decent start, but the stock research websites I reviewed should give you a better understanding of how a stock you’re considering buying is doing now and how it may perform in the future.
Start slowly by using the free online tools at the websites you’re interested in, and then move to the monthly premium plans if they’ll help you make better decisions.
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Writer
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance writing and editing. He has worked at newspapers, where he won a Pulitzer Prize, and has written for numerous online publications. These include AOL, US News & World Report, WiseBread, Bankrate, AARP, and many websites focusing on housing, credit and insurance. He lives in California with his wife and daughter.
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