Introduction

Looking to find great stocks without spending a dime? Free stock screeners like Yahoo Finance, Finviz, and TradingView help investors and beginners quickly search, filter, and analyze the markets.

What is a stock screener? It’s a free online tool that sorts stocks or ETFs based on your chosen criteria (like price, volume, or sector), giving you clarity in a sea of options.

Relatable Hook: Ever felt overwhelmed by thousands of stock choices? Imagine if you could narrow them down in seconds—free screeners make this possible and easy for beginners!
 

Step-by-Step Guide – Using Yahoo Finance, Finviz, and TradingView Screeners

1. Pick your platform: Go to the Yahoo Finance Screener, Finviz Stock Screener, or TradingView Screener.
2. Set main filters: Choose simple “filters” or “criteria.” Most beginners start with price, market cap, industry sector, and dividend yield. For example, filter for “Technology” sector and stocks under $25.
3. Review the results: The screener shows a list of stocks that match your filters. You can click on any stock for more details, including news and charts.
4. Customize further: Want more? Add or adjust filters like analyst ratings, trading volume, or financial ratios. All three screeners let you do this easily with drop-down options.
5. Save or export: Many screeners (especially Yahoo Finance and TradingView) let you save your settings or export the results for tracking.

Detailed Breakdown: Yahoo Finance vs Finviz vs TradingView

• Yahoo Finance Screener: User-friendly, integrates with Yahoo portfolios, lots of data and news on each stock.
• Finviz Stock Screener: Fast, visually rich, with powerful charts and technical indicators. Also offers a popular “heatmap.”
• TradingView Screener: Best for live charts, multiple asset classes (stocks, crypto, forex), and attractive interface for chart lovers.

Advantages of Using Free Screeners

• Cost-effective: There’s no charge to use these basic features.
• Ease of use: Beginner-friendly design gets you started in minutes.
• Saves time: Instantly cuts through thousands of stocks.
• Customizable: Tailor your search to your interests.
• Updated Data: Get real-time or near-real-time prices and news.

Disadvantages & Limitations

• Feature limits: Premium analytics or export options may need a paid upgrade (e.g., more filters or export tools on Finviz, full charting tools on TradingView).
• Data delays: Free versions may have slight delays (not always real-time).
• Basic analytics: Some in-depth financial or options data might be missing in free plans.

Alternative Investment Tools

• ETF and Mutual Fund Screeners: For broader or managed investments.
• Robo-Advisors: Automated, low-cost portfolio management (e.g., Betterment, Wealthfront).
• Stock News Aggregators: Sites like Seeking Alpha or MarketWatch to stay updated on trends.
• Financial Planning Apps: Simplifi, Personal Capital for budgeting plus investing.

Beginner’s Tips with Free Screeners

• Start simple: Pick just 2–3 main filters to avoid overwhelm.
• Read up: Use the platform’s learning guides or help sections.
• Track regularly: Re-run your favorite screeners every week to spot changes.
• Don't chase "hot stocks": Focus on consistent criteria, not trends.
• Use “watchlists”: Build lists on Yahoo Finance or TradingView to monitor picks.

Advanced Tips for Experienced Traders

• Combine technical and fundamental filters (e.g., P/E ratio + RSI indicator).
• Screen international stocks (Finviz and TradingView support global markets).
• Automate scans and alerts (set up notifications for price/volume spikes).
• Backtest your strategies using TradingView’s scripting tools.

FAQs: Free Screeners - Yahoo Finance, Finviz, TradingView

Are these screeners really free?

Yes, Yahoo Finance, Finviz, and TradingView all offer free versions with plenty of useful features for beginners.

Which screener is best for day trading?

TradingView is popular for active traders due to its excellent live charts and indicators.

Do I need to register?

Yahoo Finance and TradingView require free accounts to unlock all screener features, while Finviz’s basic screener is available instantly.

Can I use these for crypto or forex?

TradingView offers screeners for both stocks and cryptocurrencies; Finviz is focused on stocks, and Yahoo Finance covers stocks and ETFs.