Ask the Data
Free tool • Natural language ETF search • No sign-up required
Searching for ETFs usually means wrestling with screener dropdowns and numeric filters. Ask the Data takes a different approach. Type a plain-English question like “low cost dividend ETFs with a 10 year track record” and the tool translates your words into database filters, returning matching ETFs instantly.
Every result includes the expense ratio, five-year return, dividend yield, and our Beginner Score, a proprietary 1 to 10 rating based on cost, volatility, diversification, income, and track record. Click any ticker to visit the full ETF profile page with detailed holdings, sector breakdowns, and comparisons.
This tool is for educational and research purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own due diligence and consider consulting a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the natural language ETF search work?▾
Type a plain-English question or phrase describing the kind of ETF you are looking for. The tool extracts keywords from your query and maps them to database filters. For example, typing 'low cost dividend ETFs' applies two filters: expense ratio at or below 0.10% and dividend yield above 2%. Results update instantly as you type, and you can click any example query chip to see it in action.
What keywords does the search understand?▾
The search recognizes a wide range of investing vocabulary. You can filter by cost (low cost, cheap, under 0.20%), asset class (bond, international, emerging), style (growth, large cap, small cap, tech), income (dividend, income, highest yield), risk (safe, low volatility), performance (top performing, best return), and track record (10 year). You can combine multiple keywords in a single query for more precise results.
What is the Beginner Score shown in the results?▾
The Beginner Score is a proprietary 1 to 10 rating we calculate for every ETF based on five factors that matter most to new investors: expense ratio, volatility measured by beta, diversification measured by number of holdings, dividend history, and track record length. A higher score means the ETF is more suitable for someone just starting their investing journey. Scores of 8 or above are shown in green to make them easy to spot.
Can I use this tool to build a portfolio?▾
Ask the Data is a research and discovery tool designed to help you find ETFs that match specific criteria. Once you have identified promising ETFs, use our Portfolio Wizard tool to see how they fit together into a diversified portfolio with projected growth estimates. For advice on buying, selling, or allocating money, consult a qualified financial advisor.