Benzinga Pro vs Scanz (2026) — Which Is Better?
Compare Benzinga Pro and Scanz — features, pricing, pros and cons.
This comparison uses first-party sources linked inline. Time-sensitive details (fees, promotions, plan limits) can shift — verify with each provider before signing up. Methodology →
At-a-Glance
Higher Rated
Benzinga Pro (4.2)
More Affordable
Benzinga Pro ($37/mo)
Benzinga Pro
Real-time news, alerts, and stock screening platform that delivers market-moving headlines before they hit mainstream media.
Scanz
Professional real-time stock scanner with 100+ filters, best-in-class news streaming, and Level II data — all bundled into one all-inclusive plan for active day traders.
Screener Head-to-Head
Benzinga Pro ($37/month) and Scanz ($169/month) serve different trader archetypes. Benzinga prioritizes speed and accessibility—delivering market-moving news alerts before mainstream media with AI analysis and customizable feeds. Scanz takes a platform approach, bundling a professional-grade scanner with 100+ filters, Level II data, and news aggregation into one ecosystem. The price gap reflects this: Benzinga is entry-level news infrastructure, while Scanz is a self-contained trading terminal.
Benzinga's strength is real-time headline intelligence at retail-friendly pricing, ideal for traders who react to news flow. Scanz dominates in data richness: pre-market/after-hours scanning, 100+ news sources including SEC filings, and Level II quotes without add-on fees. However, Scanz's refusal to offer backtesting—critical for strategy validation—is a significant omission for systematic traders.
Choose Benzinga if you're a news-driven trader with limited capital, comfortable using separate charting tools, and wanting alerts for less than $40/month. Pick Scanz only if you actively day-trade with $169/month to spend and rely heavily on real-time scanning and Level II data. For casual traders, Benzinga's features exceed typical needs; Scanz's cost is only justified for full-time, high-volume traders.
Filter & Data Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Benzinga Pro | Scanz |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.1 |
| Starting Price | $37/mo | $169/mo |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Markets | stocks, options, crypto | stocks, etfs |
| AI Analysis | ✗ | ✗ |
| Backtesting | ✗ | ✗ |
| Paper Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Price Alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✗ |
| API Access | ✗ | ✗ |
| Social Features | ✗ | ✗ |
| Broker Integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom Indicators | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automated Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Trade Journaling | ✗ | ✗ |
| Performance Analytics | ✗ | ✗ |
| Risk Management | ✗ | ✗ |
| News Feed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Education Content | ✓ | ✗ |
Benzinga Pro: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Fastest real-time financial news delivery available to retail traders
- + Audio squawk streams live headlines — rare feature most competitors lack
- + Custom news filters and keyword search cut through information noise effectively
- + Mobile push alerts for watchlist stocks are fast and reliable
- + Exclusive breaking stories frequently surface before major outlets
- + Sentiment indicators on headlines enable quick bullish/bearish assessment
Cons
- - No charting, trade execution, or technical analysis built into the platform
- - Pricing jumps from $37 to $147 between tiers with insufficient feature justification
- - Stock screener is basic compared to dedicated screening tools like Finviz or Trade Ideas
- - No API access, backtesting, or automation for systematic traders
- - Essential tier at $197/month is overpriced relative to the feature set delivered
Scanz: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Extremely fast real-time scanning with pre-market and after-hours coverage
- + Best-in-class news scanner aggregating 100+ sources including SEC filings
- + Level I and Level II data bundled — no add-on fees
- + All-inclusive single plan eliminates confusing tier upgrades
- + Unique dollar volume data not offered by most competitors
Cons
- - Expensive at $169/month with a strict no-refund policy
- - No backtesting capability — significant gap for strategy development
- - No mobile app and no API access
- - US equities only — no options, futures, forex, or crypto