Finviz vs Scanz (2026) — Which Is Better?
Compare Finviz 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
Finviz (4.5)
More Affordable
Finviz (Free)
Finviz
Powerful stock screener with market heat maps, fundamentals, technical filters, and real-time quotes on the Elite plan.
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
Finviz and Scanz target different trader profiles and budgets. Finviz excels as an accessible stock screener with legendary heat maps and dozens of fundamental/technical filters, backed by a zero-cost entry point. Scanz commands $169/month for professional-grade real-time scanning with 100+ pre-market and after-hours data feeds, specifically engineered for active day traders who need speed and depth. Finviz prioritizes breadth of screening tools on a lean interface; Scanz prioritizes live data feeds and news aggregation.
The critical differentiator is real-time execution capability versus screening flexibility. Finviz's free tier includes AI analysis and alerts but suffers delayed data and no backtesting—positioning it as a research and discovery tool. Scanz bundles Level II data, SEC filing alerts, and 100+ news sources into one all-inclusive plan with zero add-on fees, but strips out backtesting entirely, limiting pre-trade validation.
Day traders executing dozens of positions daily should choose Scanz for its pre-market scanning, real-time alerts, and news velocity—$169/month justifies itself through execution speed. Swing traders, retail investors, and backtesting-focused strategists should choose Finviz's free tier to build screening workflows and validate ideas, potentially upgrading to Elite for real-time data only when necessary. Scanz's no-refund policy makes it a higher-commitment play for those certain of their workflow.
Filter & Data Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Finviz | Scanz |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.1 |
| Starting Price | Free | $169/mo |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Markets | stocks, futures, forex, crypto, bonds | 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 | ✗ | ✗ |
Finviz: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Best free stock screener available -- 60+ filters with fast, responsive results
- + Iconic heat maps provide instant visual market overview by sector and market cap
- + Generous free tier that millions of traders use daily without needing to upgrade
- + Screener speed is genuinely best-in-class -- results load in fractions of a second
- + Insider trading data and news aggregation included free for every stock
- + Elite premarket/after-hours data useful for gap scanners and pre-open preparation
Cons
- - US stocks only -- no international market coverage (no LSE, TSE, European exchanges)
- - Free version has 15-20 minute data delay and banner ads throughout
- - Charting is basic even on Elite -- not comparable to TradingView or thinkorswim
- - No options screening, options flow, or meaningful options chain data
- - No mobile app -- browser-only with unoptimized mobile experience
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