A live stock screener is a stock screener that gives you information in real time. Not all stock screeners can give you price data in real time. Some stock screeners give you price data on a delay.
Live stock information is important if you need to trade fast — for instance, active traders need access to the most current market data. If you trade with old information, you’re probably mistiming your trades…
That can make the difference between a profitable trade and blowing up your account.
What are the best live stock screeners, and why did they make my list? Let’s dive right in!
What is a Live Stock Screener?
A live stock screener is a stock screener that updates in real time. Contrast this with other stock screeners that update on a delay. Real-time data updates are essential for traders who need to stay on top of the market during the trading day…
In case you’re new to this, that’s basically all of us!
Stock screeners are usually bundled with a trading platform that offers news updates, charting, and more.
Many stock screeners offer real-time data updates alongside delayed updates. Some charge extra for real-time data updates or lock them behind a subscription paywall.
StocksToTrade is a good example of a live stock screener. It provides real-time data updates to help you stay on top of the market. It’s an integral part of my trading arsenal — see if it can be yours too.
Take StocksToTrade for a spin. Sign up for a 14-day StocksToTrade trial for only $7 now!
Are There Open-Source Stock Screeners?
As of this writing, I haven’t seen any stock screeners that are open-source. But open-source is usually synonymous with free — and you can use a lot of stock screeners for free.
Why Do You Need a Free Real-Time Stock Screener
You need a free real-time stock screener if you want access to the most current market data, and you’re not willing to pay for it. There are a few good options for free real-time stock screeners, though most of them are tied to a broker.
For traders, having a delayed 5-minute stock screener — much less a delayed 1-hour stock screener — should be a dealbreaker. Slow updates will mean losing out on actionable trade opportunities.
Some traders use free stock screeners because they don’t want to spend money on paid options. Others use free screeners to test them out before committing.
Nobody said you can’t use more than one screener, either. Using multiple free stock screeners can be a good way to ensure all your screening needs are satisfied.
From my experience using stock screeners, paid screeners are usually worth the money. But free screeners are far from useless, especially if you’re still looking for the right screener to commit to.
Different kinds of traders need different screeners. Check out my picks of the best day trading stock screeners and swing trading stock screeners. I also have a guide to the best overall stock screeners.
Advantages of Free Live Stock Screeners
A free live stock screener might become an integral part of your arsenal. The main advantage is just that — it’s no-cost! You don’t have to spend anything to use it. And not all free stock screeners are bad. Some of them have robust functionality that’s comparable to paid options.
The next advantage is that free stock screeners with live updates give you real time access to real-time market trends. This is the only way that professional traders develop and execute their trading plans.
Looking for free stock screeners? Check out my top free stock screener recommendations.
How We Evaluated These Best (Mostly) Free Live Stock Screeners
There are so many options for free live stock screeners to download — and not all of them are good. That’s why we need to set criteria when evaluating stock screener picks.
So, how do you find that diamond in the rough? Here are the criteria I use to find the best free live stock screener apps:
- Monetary and non-monetary cost: This is a list of free screeners, so you usually don’t need to pay money to access these stock screeners. But some of these apps aren’t entirely free because you might need to create a brokerage account.
- Database timeliness: Lots of free stock screener update quotes on delay, making them nearly unusable for day trading. Here, we only examine screeners with real-time data updates.
- Customizability: A stock screener lives and dies by its indicators. Your free live screener should be customizable enough to fit your trading needs and strategies.
You can just use the aforementioned criteria, or you can add more to refine your search further. For instance, you might be looking for a stock screener with alerts — include that as part of your criteria. Check out what other best stock screener criteria I use to make my picks.
Best (Mostly) Free Live Stock Screeners for 2024
Here are my choices for the best live stock screeners:
- StocksToTrade — Best Overall Live Stock Screener (Paid)
- TradingView — Best Free Live Stock Screener for Market Variety
- TD Ameritrade — Best Free Live Stock Screener for New Traders
- Stock Rover — Most Customizable Free Live Stock Screener
- Seeking Alpha — Best Free Live Stock Screener for Stock Picks
You don’t have to choose one and stick with it. Try them all and see which ones fit your needs best!
1. StocksToTrade — Best Overall Live Stock Screener (Paid)
My first live stock screener pick is StocksToTrade.
StocksToTrade is a robust and powerful stock screener with real-time updates that helps you dive deep into each ticker. It’s also got a highly-customizable desktop app, which lets you scan for stocks with any criteria you want.
It’s a screener made by traders for traders. That’s why it comes with trader-made screeners, letting you trade like the pros.
StocksToTrade itself isn’t a free live stock screener, but it’s well worth your investment.
Plus, there is a part of StocksToTrade that comes at no cost. Meet Oracle, an algorithm-based chart analysis tool. It’s a nifty piece of technology that gives you actionable trade signals by examining the day’s most tradable stocks.
Get a taste of Oracle by signing up for NO-COST Oracle trade alerts!
2. TradingView — Best Free Live Stock Screener for Market Variety
My second free live stock screener pick is TradingView.
One of TradingView’s advantages is its access to so many markets. You can use it to screen and read charts of securities in over 130 markets! It’s a great option if you’re interested in trading shares from international companies.
TradingView provides real-time stock data for free where it can. But some exchanges don’t provide free real-time data by default.
You can get real-time data on these exchanges by linking your brokerage account… But this only works if your existing account already has real-time data capabilities.
You can also get real-time data without a brokerage services account. You’ll need to buy real-time data subscriptions for the exchanges you want real-time data for.
3. TD Ameritrade — Best Free Live Stock Screener for New and Advanced Traders
My third free live stock screener pick is TD Ameritrade’s suite of platforms.
The basic TD Ameritrade screener gives you 25 predefined stock screeners that cover metrics like sector, performance, market capitalization, valuation, and technical indicators. It also lets you customize your own filters for even better control over your searches.
The basic platform is great for new traders because it has lots of educational tools and resources aimed at beginners getting their feet wet.
On the flip side, it also has the thinkorswim desktop trading platform, a more robust and customizable app made for experienced traders. Compared to TD Ameritrade’s beginner-friendly web and mobile versions, thinkorswim gives advanced traders more control over their trading experience with custom tool construction and more varied analysis features.
You don’t need to worry about its database timeliness, either. TD Ameritrade gives you real-time quotes for free — but you have to enable it on the app first.
4. Stock Rover — Most Customizable Free Live Stock Screener
My fourth free live stock screener pick is Stock Rover.
Stock screening is one of Stock Rover’s premier features. This platform provides over 140 fully-editable pre-built screeners, meaning you can use them as-is or as starting points to make your own screener.
You have a lot of options when customizing screeners, too. Stock Rover has over 500 parameters you can build screeners from, meaning you can really tailor a screener to your needs.
Stock Rover is a 1-minute stock screener, so that means you get up-to-the-minute data. That means you can stay on top of the market without extra charges.
5. Seeking Alpha — Best Free Live Stock Screener for Pre-Built Screeners
My fifth free live stock screener pick is Seeking Alpha.
Seeking Alpha is a good stock scanner to check when you’re out of trade ideas. It offers multiple pre-built screeners compiled into lists. So you can find Seeking Alpha’s picks of the top-rated stocks, top small-cap stocks, top growth stocks, and more. Each stock selection is given letter grades rating relevant metrics and data points, which helps you make more educated trading decisions.
The biggest knock against Seeking Alpha is that you can only access pre-built screens as a free user. You need a premium account to fully unlock its screener feature.
Seeking Alpha has real-time quote updates, but not for all stocks. Most frequently-traded assets have real-time updates, while rarely-traded assets are updated on a 15-minute delay.
Final Thoughts
A stock screener with live updates provides data in real time, helping you stay on top of the market. Many traders need real-time data updates because otherwise, they might miss out on great trades.
Lots of traders also look for free real-time stock screeners because, well, they’re free. They usually either don’t want to spend money on paid screeners or to test them out before buying a subscription.
From my experience, you get more bang for your buck with paid screeners. But you can find great free scanners to fit your trading style and strategies.
Here’s an inside track on another great stock screener: Matt Monaco’s Alpha Scanner. Matt is a millionaire trader who used to be a software engineer. Now, he’s dusted off those old skills to design the Alpha Scanner. It’s a stock screener with alerts for trading and live mentoring based off of his trading style.
Can Matt’s Alpha Scanner give you the edge in trading? Find out here…
Sign up to join the next Alpha Scanner LIVE broadcast!
Free Stock Screeners FAQs
What Features Should You Look for in the Best Free Stock Screener?
The best free stock screener should offer powerful tools such as a comprehensive stock chart, real-time quotes, and a selection of technical filters like candlestick patterns and Unusual Volume. Essential tools include preset screens and the ability to customize features to adapt to individual investing styles. Additionally, depth of filter criteria and the inclusion of both technical and fundamental screening criteria are critical for thorough stock analysis.
What Are the Key Features of Premium Stock Screeners Like Stock Rover?
Premium stock screeners like Stock Rover offer customizable features and extra functionality designed to enhance the user’s ability to screen and analyze stocks. They provide real-time stock market updates and access to a vast universe of stocks, including international stocks. These screeners support a wide range of search criteria, from technical screening criteria to fundamental and quantitative criteria, allowing users to filter stocks based on very specific investing criteria.
How Do Market Data and Financial Criteria Enhance Stock Screeners?
Market data such as lists of stocks, individual stocks, and real-time market conditions are essential for any stock screener. Financial criteria like earnings ratio, equity ratio, and market capitalization provide a snapshot of financial health and performance, aiding in better investment decisions. Combining these with trading volumes and quarterly reports helps traders understand historical performance and future potential.
Why Is Customizability Important in Stock Screeners?
Customizability in stock screeners allows users to tailor searches and analysis to specific needs, such as screening for breakout stocks or those with high profit margins. Features like Customizable screens, additional features like email alerts, and advanced communication features enhance user experience and improve efficiency in tracking and reacting to market movements.
How Do Investment Styles Influence the Selection of a Stock Screener?
Different investment styles, from day trading to swing trading, require specific features in a stock screener. For day trading, real-time data alerts and the ability to track price action minutely are crucial, while swing traders may focus more on fundamental metrics and trend patterns. Exchange-traded funds and mutual funds investors might look for screeners that offer broad market data and proprietary ratings to guide their diversified investing strategies.
What Role Do Alerts and User Interaction Play in Stock Screeners?
Alerts such as real-time data alerts and email notifications are vital for keeping traders informed of significant market movements. Screeners that offer App Purchases and confirmation of purchase features ensure that users can seamlessly upgrade their service as needed. Additionally, the functionality that supports user interaction, such as submitting feedback or accessing support, significantly enhances customer satisfaction and retention.
How Do Free Stock Screeners Support Day and Swing Trading?
Free stock screeners support day and swing trading by offering screener tools tailored for these trading styles. They utilize technical indicators, price volume breakouts, and previous closing price data to help identify overbought or hot stocks suitable for short-term trading. The real-time stock tracker functions ensure that traders can make decisions based on the latest market data, enhancing their ability to capitalize on market movements quickly.
What Role Do Technical and Fundamental Criteria Play in Stock Screening?
Technical and fundamental criteria are central to effective stock screening, helping traders and investors to filter stocks based on both quantitative and qualitative factors. Fundamental criteria might include analysis of financial statements and financial metrics, while technical criteria could focus on resistance levels, technical metrics, and chart patterns. This combination allows for a comprehensive analysis tool that catifies stocks according to both their market performance and underlying financial health.
Can You Customize Stock Screening to Fit Specific Investment Products?
Yes, most sophisticated stock screeners offer a range of filters and customizable features that can be tailored to fit specific investment products and user needs. Whether you’re looking for specific financial indicators, evaluating clever investment strategies, or checking streaming quotes, these tools can be adjusted to meet a diverse range of demands. Premium options often include ready-made scans and default scans, which can be used as excellent starting points for customizing further based on personal or professional investment criteria.
How Do Online Brokerage Firms Utilize Stock Screeners?
Online brokerage firms utilize stock screeners to provide their clients with powerful research tools and analysis options for making informed investment decisions. These screeners often come with premium functionality that includes access to a comprehensive database of companies, enabling detailed selection processes based on predefined or custom criteria. Brokerage-specific screeners may also offer preferred brokerage functionalities, integrating seamlessly with online trading platforms to facilitate efficient and effective online equity trades.