Best Financial Tools for ETF Investors
Last updated: March 2026
The right financial tools can dramatically improve your ETF investing outcomes by giving you data and insights that would take hours to compile manually. Whether you need to analyze a fund's holdings, backtest a portfolio allocation, or calculate the true cost of expense ratios over decades, there is a specialized tool for the job.
Modern financial tools have democratized access to the kind of analysis that used to be available only to professional portfolio managers. Many of the best tools are completely free, funded by advertising or premium tier upgrades. This means you can build a sophisticated analytical toolkit without spending a dollar.
The tools on this list were selected based on their usefulness specifically for ETF investors, ease of use, accuracy of data, and value relative to their cost. We have included tools for different stages of the investment process — from initial research and screening through ongoing portfolio monitoring and tax optimization.
Our Top Picks
#1Portfolio Visualizer
FreemiumA powerful backtesting and portfolio analysis tool that lets you test different ETF allocations against historical data. You can compare portfolios, run Monte Carlo simulations, and analyze factor exposures. The free tier covers most needs, while the paid tier adds more advanced features.
#2Morningstar
FreemiumThe gold standard for fund research and analysis. Morningstar provides detailed ETF profiles including holdings, performance data, risk metrics, and their proprietary star ratings. The free tier gives you basic data on any ETF, while Premium unlocks analyst reports and advanced screening.
#3ETF.com
FreeA dedicated ETF research platform that provides detailed fund profiles, comparison tools, and educational content specifically for ETF investors. Their ETF screener lets you filter by dozens of criteria including expense ratio, asset class, issuer, and dividend yield. All core features are free.
#4Empower (formerly Personal Capital)
FreeA free financial dashboard that aggregates all your investment accounts in one place. The retirement planner and fee analyzer are particularly valuable — the fee analyzer shows you exactly how much your ETF expense ratios will cost you over your investing lifetime, often revealing thousands in hidden fees.
#5TipRanks
FreemiumProvides analyst ratings, insider trading data, and smart score rankings for ETFs and individual stocks. The platform tracks the performance of analysts over time so you can see which recommendations actually worked. Useful for ETF investors who also hold individual stocks.
#6Compound Interest Calculator (Investor.gov)
FreeA simple but powerful calculator from the SEC that shows how your ETF investments grow over time with compound interest. Enter your initial investment, monthly contribution, expected return, and time horizon to see projected growth. Essential for setting realistic expectations and staying motivated.
How to Choose the Right Option
Start with the free tools and only upgrade to paid versions if you find yourself consistently hitting limitations. For most beginner and intermediate ETF investors, a combination of ETF.com for research, Portfolio Visualizer for backtesting, and Empower for tracking is more than sufficient. Avoid paying for tools until you have at least six months of investing experience — you need to know what questions to ask before you can benefit from advanced features. The most expensive tool is one you pay for but never use.
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
Explore More Resources
Building your ETF investing knowledge requires multiple types of resources. Explore our other curated resource guides to find the tools, communities, and learning materials that fit your investing style.