Updated September 30, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
MarketXLS vs The Motley Fool
Where MarketXLS and The Motley Fool differ
| Compare |  MarketXLS |  The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | YesHas it |
| Tool type | Screener, Charting, Research, Portfolio tracker, Market data | Research, Newsletter |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Web | Web, Mobile |
| Price from | $70 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Money-back period (30 days).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- The Motley Fool scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at The Motley Fool: 1993 vs 2016.
- Free plan: only The Motley Fool.
- Markets: only MarketXLS offers Forex, Funds.
- Platforms: only MarketXLS offers Windows, Mac.
- Platforms: only The Motley Fool offers Mobile.
- Support channels: only MarketXLS offers Chat, Help centre, Community.
- Support channels: only The Motley Fool offers Email.
- Tool type: only MarketXLS offers Screener, Charting, Portfolio tracker.
- Tool type: only The Motley Fool offers Newsletter.
Our verdict on each
MarketXLS
MarketXLS suits active spreadsheet investors who want screening, charting and portfolio tracking tied to live data across stocks, ETFs and forex. Pricing starts at $70 with support across chat, phone and help centre, and the package earns an offer mark of 9.8.
The Motley Fool
The Motley Fool suits you if you want guided stock research with newsletter ideas across stocks, ETFs and crypto alongside a free plan entry point. You also get a money back window of 30 days plus access on web and mobile for reading on the move.
Score breakdown
| Area | MarketXLS | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.3Entry sits at $70 with cover across stocks, ETFs and forex. | 9.3HigherEntry stays light because the service runs on a free plan model through free plan with paid upgrades optional. |
| Offer | 9.8HigherToolkit spans screener, charting and research with access via Windows, Mac and Web. | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and crypto in a research and newsletter format defined by research and newsletter for idea generation. |
| Trust | 9.0Provider is MarketXLS Limited with refund cover of 30 days. | 9.4HigherHistory dates to 1993 with a defined entity in The Motley Fool, LLC and support on email and phone. |
Feature by feature
| Tool type | MarketXLS | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Screener | Yes | No |
| Charting | Yes | No |
| Research | Yes | Yes |
| Newsletter | No | Yes |
| Portfolio tracker | Yes | No |
| Market data | Yes | No |
| Markets | MarketXLS | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | MarketXLS | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Investing research tools | 8 of 34 | 6 of 34 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | MarketXLS | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free plan |
| Legal entity | MarketXLS Limited | The Motley Fool, LLC |
| Headquarters | Ireland | United States |
| Founded | 2016 | 1993Lower |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | MarketXLS | The Motley Fool | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $70highest quarter | Not confirmed | $29 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 13 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
MarketXLS
Pros
- Covers stocks, ETFs and forex, giving equity, fund, currency and crypto context in a common place
- Toolkit spans screener, charting and research, useful where screening and tracking sit beside research
- Runs across Windows, Mac and Web, so access is not tied to a single device route
Cons
- There is no free plan, so ongoing access depends on paid cover at $70
- Cover centres on stocks, ETFs and forex, so derivatives and bond specialists may look elsewhere
- Value depends on comfort with Windows, Mac and Web, since setup is tied to those routes
The Motley Fool
Pros
- Free plan access under free plan lets you sample research before choosing a paid newsletter tier.
- Research spans stocks, ETFs and crypto, giving you stock and ETF ideas with added crypto context.
- Newsletter format under research and newsletter suits you if you prefer guided ideas over raw data.
Cons
- Coverage stays around stocks, ETFs and crypto, so active currency or futures traders will find the scope narrow.
- Support runs on email and phone only, which limits you if you prefer live chat or help centre self service.
- The format centres on research and newsletter, so you do not get screeners or charting tools for daily trading decisions.
Who each suits
MarketXLS
Who it suits
- Investors who screen stocks and ETFs then track positions using screener, charting and research
- Spreadsheet users who want access across Windows, Mac and Web with help via chat, phone and help centre
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want a free plan may prefer The Oxford Club, which retains free plan access
- Readers chasing the lowest entry price may prefer LemurTrade, which starts at $9 against $70
- Readers wanting newsletter style guidance in German may prefer GeVestor, which starts at €24.95
The Motley Fool
Who it suits
- You want stock led ideas with newsletter guidance, while The Oxford Club and stocks feels too narrow.
- You prefer calm research across stocks, ETFs and crypto rather than the very wide GeVestor mix of stocks, ETFs and forex.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want forex or derivatives research rather than stock ideas, so GeVestor with stocks, ETFs and forex may fit better.
- You want funds and bonds research in one place, where LemurTrade and its stocks, ETFs and crypto coverage looks broader.
Questions about each
MarketXLS
How much does MarketXLS cost to start?+
MarketXLS lists entry pricing at $70. There is no free plan, so continued access means paid cover. The trial route under free trial lets readers check fit before committing to a plan.
Does MarketXLS offer a free plan?+
There is no free plan in place. Access continues through paid cover starting at $70. Readers who need a no cost route may prefer an alternative that retains free plan access.
The Motley Fool
Which markets does The Motley Fool cover?+
The Motley Fool provides research ideas across stocks, ETFs and crypto. That mix suits you if you focus on listed equities and related themes, with some crypto context beside stocks and ETFs for broader reading.
Can you use The Motley Fool without paying?+
Yes, there is a free plan entry point described by free plan. You can read selected research without commitment, then decide if a paid newsletter tier adds enough value for your style.