Stock picking services are typically paid subscriptions or membership programs that give you stock research and, most importantly, recommendations. The best stock picking services are ones that balance cost with reliable analysis and other valuable features. They’re services you can trust and likely have a proven track record of providing good recommendations.
Finder’s investment experts analyzed at least 20 stock picking services to find the best for traders and investors of different experience levels. Here are the five best stock picking services of 2024, according to Finder’s analysis.
Alpha Picks is a straightforward stock picking service from the reputable Seeking Alpha that delivers two new stock recommendations each month, exclusive webinars and sell alerts if ratings change. Customer reviews are fairly positive, though its yearly price is on the high end.
Customers have mixed experiences. A few mention underwhelming returns and, as a result, are considering trying a different service.
Seeking Alpha’s Alpha Picks employs a buy-and-hold investing approach designed to beat the market. Capital appreciation across multiple sectors is its main focus.
Select Go To Site to get $50 off. $449 for your first year, then $499 per year thereafter.
No free trials for this service at this time.
The Motley Fool focuses specifically on the business fundamentals of the companies it invests in rather than daily stock highs and lows. This allows them to make recommendations with long-term investors in mind. Between its flagship Stock Advisor service, which delivers two stock picks each month among other features, to its growth-oriented Rule Breakers, The Motley Fool remains a popular choice for buy-and-hold investors looking for expert recommendations.
On Reddit, there are mixed reviews by customers. One one hand customers praise Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor service for outperforming the S&P for numerous years, but others argue these picks have underperformed.
Buy at least 25 Fool-recommended stocks and hold for at least five years to target long-term returns.
Select Go To Site and sign up to get The Motley Fool Stock Advisor for $99 for the first year, then $199 each year thereafter.
30-day money-back guarantee on its 1-year membership.
Moby inspires beginner investors by simplifying stock analysis and providing engaging visual lessons and courses to build confidence in investing. Its research and insights are designed to be straightforward, enjoyable to read and available in video and audio formats. The platform offers a diverse range of resources, including stock picks, courses, morning newsletters and video and audio reports, all accessible through a user-friendly mobile app.
Reviews are mixed. Some users praise the app for providing valuable stock analysis and investment recommendations, especially for beginners, as well as its user-friendly interface, educational materials and regular stock picks. However, some users have criticized the service, claiming the recommendations led to financial losses.
Provide accessible and easy-to-understand investment research and education for beginners.
Select Go To Site, enter your email and select Start free trial to start your 7-day trial. Pay $99.96 for an annual subscription for new members or $29.95 monthly.
7-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee.
Mindful Trader is a stock and option picking service that focuses solely on swing trades. Picks are posted in real time and are easy to follow, with positions meant to last about a week. The Mindful Trader is also pleasantly transparent with its approach and performance, which is reassuring in a stock picking service.
Some users on Reddit have outlined how the service works, explaining that it provides trade alerts and lists entry and exit points. Others portray skepticism about the service’s trade recommendations and complain about the lack of a chat room for communicating with other members.
Stock and option swing trades that typically last a week.
$47 per month with 1-3 stock picks per day.
No free trial.
Users can experience AltIndex’s platform, including its AI stock picking capabilities, at no cost. This makes it an attractive, budget-friendly option for those interested in exploring AI-based stock picking software.
Since AltIndex is a relatively new platform, there isn’t much customer feedback at this time.
AltIndex utilizes advanced alternative data analytics and AI-driven insights to provide unique stock picks with an investment outlook of at least six months.
AltIndex Free comes at no cost. AltIndex Starter is $29 per month or $199 for the year if you pay annually. AltIndex Pro, which provides access to even more features, including additional stock picks, stock alerts and the ability to download data via the API, is available for $99 per month or $499 per year if you pay annually.
7-day free trial of AltIndex Starter.
Finder’s investing experts review at least 20 stock picking services on the market to narrow down the best for beginner-to-intermediate investors. We analyze such factors as features, past performance, pricing and any free trial or money-back guarantee. We don’t include services that only provide access to investment research — the service must make stock pick recommendations.
We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our list reflects the most competitive available.
While these platforms do not engage in actual stock picking, they provide valuable analysis and research to assist in potential investment selection.
Zacks offers tools such as a stock screener and a stock ranking system known as the Zacks Rank, which classifies securities into five groups from Strong Buy to Strong Sell. The platform provides a free version as well as paid versions, namely Zacks Premium and Zacks Ultimate. Zacks Premium is $249 per year, while Zacks Ultimate is $2,995 per year, offering investors additional features and research tools.
Morningstar provides tools to help investors with stock selection, including email alerts, research and analysis. The platform offers free access to these tools, along with a paid subscription service called Morningstar Investor. The paid version, priced at $249 for annual or $34.95 for monthly, grants users access to analyst research, watchlists, bonus reports and email alerts. A seven-day free trial is available.
WallStreetZen provides email alerts, research and analysis to help with stock selection. The platform caters to part-time investors, offering intuitive data visualizations and automated stock analysis. While a free plan with limited features is available, WallStreetZen also offers a Premium plan, which includes access to additional tools such as the Zen Score, a powerful stock screener, and in-depth research reports, all available for a 14-day trial at just $1 then $19.50 per month.
A stock picking service provides stock recommendations of potentially high-performing stocks based on insight from analysts or unique algorithms. These services are designed to anticipate which stocks will beat the average market return, giving you stock ideas or stock picks to consider to save you from having to do a ton of research yourself.
Stock picking services are not:
Consider the following when selecting a stock picking service:
Picking your own stocks versus using a stock picking service can usually mean a trade-off between having a larger dependency on your own analysis with a larger time commitment or a preference for expert external research.
You might see the term “stock advisor” when exploring stock picking services, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the service is an investment advisor who is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a state securities regulator. In this context, “stock advisor” is just another name for stock picking service.
While these services may provide recommendations, market analysis and general information about investments, they typically will not tell you which investments are best for you based on your unique circumstances.
Content is provided for informational purposes only — it’s not personalized guidance.
You bear ultimate responsibility for any investment decisions you make based on this information.
On the other hand, financial advisors, including investment advisors, are licensed to provide investment advice specific to you, your situation and your individual goals.
Compare stock picking services and research tools by cost and available free trials. Select Go to site to sign up or More Info to read our comprehensive review of that product.
By offering expert analysis and recommendations, stock picking services can help cut down on time and effort when buying stocks online. But after you choose the best stock picking service, you’ll still need to choose a broker. Compare the best stock trading apps to find the broker that’s right for you.
Many day trading services focus on providing real-time alerts and trading signals rather than individual stock picks. Trading signals are notifications about market changes, potential trading and recommended actions you can take. These services often cater to the fast-paced nature of day trading, offering timely information to help traders make quick decisions.
The best app for stock picks can vary depending on individual preferences and investment goals. Some popular apps and platforms for stock picks include Seeking Alpha Alpha Picks and The Motley Fool, each offering unique features such as expert stock recommendations and research tools.
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