Updated September 30, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Simply Wall St vs The Motley Fool
Where Simply Wall St and The Motley Fool differ
| Compare |  Simply Wall St |  The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Tool type | Screener, Research, Portfolio tracker | Research, Newsletter |
| Markets | Stocks | Stocks, ETFs, CryptoCovers more |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Mobile |
| Money-back period | 14 days | 30 daysHigher |
| Free trial length | 7 days | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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 8.7.
- Money-back period is higher at The Motley Fool: 30 days vs 14 days.
- Founded is lower at The Motley Fool: 1993 vs 2014.
- Markets: only The Motley Fool offers ETFs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Simply Wall St offers iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only The Motley Fool offers Mobile.
- Support channels: only Simply Wall St offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only The Motley Fool offers Phone.
- Tool type: only Simply Wall St offers Screener, Portfolio tracker.
- Tool type: only The Motley Fool offers Newsletter.
Our verdict on each
Simply Wall St
Simply Wall St suits investors who want visual stock research plus a portfolio tracker across web and mobile, with support through email and help centre. You can start on the free plan and explore paid features during the trial lasting 7, backed by cover lasting 14.
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 | Simply Wall St | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Cost reflects trial access lasting 7 plus cover lasting 14. | 9.3HigherEntry stays light because the service runs on a free plan model through free plan with paid upgrades optional. |
| Offer | 8.9Offer reflects screener and research depth shown in screener, research and portfolio tracker for stocks. | 9.0HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and crypto in a research and newsletter format defined by research and newsletter for idea generation. |
| Trust | 8.5Trust reflects clear corporate identity in Simply Wall Street Pty Ltd based in AU. | 9.4HigherHistory dates to 1993 with a defined entity in The Motley Fool, LLC and support on email and phone. |
Side by side, item by item
| Tool type | Simply Wall St | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Screener | Yes | No |
| Research | Yes | Yes |
| Newsletter | No | Yes |
| Portfolio tracker | Yes | No |
| Markets | Simply Wall St | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Simply Wall St | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Investing research tools | 2 of 34 | 6 of 34 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Simply Wall St | The Motley Fool |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free plan, Free trialCovers more | Free plan |
| Legal entity | Simply Wall Street Pty Ltd | The Motley Fool, LLC |
| Headquarters | Australia | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 1993Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Simply Wall St | The Motley Fool | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 7 dayslowest quarter | Not confirmed | 14 days |
| Money-back period | 14 dayslowest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 9 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Simply Wall St
Pros
- Keeps a free plan with trial access under free plan and free trial, useful for testing stock screens before paying.
- Covers screener, research and portfolio tracker for stocks, linking ideas, research notes and tracking in a single view.
- Works across web, iOS and Android, so research started on web stays visible on mobile.
Cons
- Coverage stays limited to stocks, so ETF or fund holders may need LemurTrade for stocks, ETFs and crypto.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, which may feel slow if you prefer live chat or calls.
- Trial access lasts 7, so evaluation time is short compared with tools that allow longer review.
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
Simply Wall St
Who it suits
- Choose Simply Wall St over WealthFluent if you want a free plan with trial access under free plan and free trial.
- Choose Simply Wall St over LemurTrade if you prefer focused equity depth in stocks rather than broad screening across stocks, ETFs and crypto.
- Choose Simply Wall St over GeVestor if you want screener led stock views rather than coverage across stocks, ETFs and forex.
Who should look elsewhere
- Choose GeVestor over Simply Wall St if you want broader multi asset coverage across stocks, ETFs and forex rather than stocks.
- Choose LemurTrade over Simply Wall St if you want ETF and fund screening within stocks, ETFs and crypto.
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
Simply Wall St
Does Simply Wall St offer a free plan?+
Yes, Simply Wall St maintains a free plan aimed at stock research for everyday investors. The paid structure sits under free plan and free trial, so you can stay on the free tier or move up after review. The trial lasting 7 gives added room to compare limits before you decide.
How long is the free trial?+
The standard trial lasts 7, giving you short term access to paid research screens and portfolio views. Use that window to check watchlists, company pages and alerts. If the style does not suit your routine, you can return to the free plan without added steps.
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.