Searching for the ultimate guide to stock scanning software? You just landed on the right page, and with Finviz you can uncover winning setups faster than ever. The world of trading demands precision, and having a robust screener at your fingertips can make all the difference on the charts you watch and the trades you execute.

I know how overwhelming sifting through market data can be, which is why I rely on Finviz—trusted by millions of traders worldwide for over a decade. Whether you’re hunting for momentum breakouts, undervalued picks, or just want real-time alerts, Finviz shows you the way. Let me walk you through exactly how this stock scanning software can transform your research process and help you spot opportunities in minutes.

What is Finviz?

Finviz is a premier stock scanning software designed to filter, analyze, and visualize market data in real time. At its core, Finviz helps traders and investors identify stocks that match specific technical or fundamental criteria with lightning speed. It brings together quote maps, advanced charts, backtesting, and alerts all under one roof.

Finviz Overview

Finviz launched in 2007 with a mission to simplify market analysis while delivering powerful tools to active traders. Over the years, it has evolved from a basic screener into a comprehensive platform trusted by day traders, swing traders, and long-term investors alike. With rapid UI improvements, extended hours data, and proprietary correlation algorithms, Finviz has cemented its reputation for reliability and innovation.

Today, Finviz boasts a global community of users, integrates 24 years of historical data, and continues rolling out new features before most competitors. Its commitment to speed, accuracy, and usability has made it a staple in trading toolkits across the world.

Pros and Cons

Pro: Completely ad-free layout ensures a distraction-free experience.

Pro: Real-time and extended hours data from premarket to aftermarket sessions.

Pro: Advanced charts with overlays, indicators, and drawing tools for in-depth analysis.

Pro: Backtesting engine featuring 100 technical indicators and 24 years of historical data.

Pro: Proprietary correlations module to track performance relationships across stocks.

Pro: Customizable alerts and notifications for price movements, news, and screener fits.

Con: Elite plan might be pricey for casual investors at $39.50 per month.

Con: Steep learning curve if you’re new to technical analysis and advanced filters.

Features

Finviz packs an arsenal of tools designed to address every aspect of your scanning workflow. Below are its standout features and how they can turbocharge your market research.

Real-Time and Extended Hours Data

Never miss a beat with continuous market coverage from premarket to aftermarket.

• Live quotes on homepage, maps, and screener.
• Access extended hours sessions starting at 4:00 AM.
• Seamless integration with news and ratings during off-hours.

Advanced Charts

Perform deep technical analysis with interactive charting tools.

• Intraday chart views with multiple time frames.
• Custom overlays and indicators such as moving averages and Bollinger Bands.
• Fullscreen layouts for focused analysis.
• Performance comparison charts to benchmark against indices like SPY.

Backtests

Test your trading strategies against historical data to refine your edge.

• 100+ technical indicators available for strategy design.
• 24 years of price history across US equities.
• Spot weakness or strength by comparing with SPY benchmarks.

Correlations

Discover relationships between stocks to diversify or hedge your positions.

• Identify correlated and inversely correlated tickers.
• Optimize portfolio risk by grouping related assets.
• Leverage proprietary algorithms tuned for market dynamics.

Advanced Screener

Move beyond preset filters with detailed customization options.

• Build complex custom filters combining technical, fundamental, and descriptive criteria.
• Export filtered data to Excel or access via API.
• Save and share up to 200 screener presets.

Alerts and Notifications

Stay on top of market moves with instant email and push alerts.

• Custom triggers for price breakouts, volume spikes, or news events.
• Portfolio-wide alerts for ratings changes and SEC filings.
• Mobile push notifications to keep you updated on the go.

Finviz Pricing

Finviz offers a straightforward pricing model to fit different trading needs.

Free Plan

Price: $0

Ideal for beginners or casual investors who need basic screening and charts.

• Delayed quotes and maps.
• Access to limited preset filters and views.
• Three years of financial statements.

Elite Plan

Price: $39.50 per month or $24.96 per month billed annually.

Perfect for active traders and professionals who demand real-time data and full feature access.

• Real-time quotes, maps, and screener data.
• Intraday charts and multi-layout customization.
• Backtests, correlations, and advanced filters.
• Export to Excel, API access, and unlimited alerts.
• Ad-free browsing and early access to new features.

Finviz Is Best For

Whether you’re just starting or you’ve logged thousands of trades, Finviz adapts to your specific approach.

Day Traders

Get lightning-fast scans for high-volume breakouts and volume spikes, plus extended-hours data to spot early moves.

Swing Traders

Customize filters for technical patterns and backtest strategies to capture multi-day opportunities.

Long-Term Investors

Analyze fundamentals, track correlated stocks, and monitor news flow to build a resilient portfolio over months or years.

Quantitative Analysts

Export datasets via API for in-depth modeling and incorporate 24 years of historical data into your algorithms.

Benefits of Using Finviz

By integrating Finviz into your workflow, you unlock several performance advantages:

• Time savings: Rapid scanning cuts research time from hours to minutes.
• Data clarity: Clean charts and map views highlight trends at a glance.
• Increased confidence: Backtesting your ideas reduces guesswork.
• Portfolio optimization: Correlation tools help manage risk and diversification.
• Immediate alerts: Never miss a trade setup with custom push notifications.

Customer Support

Finviz offers responsive support via email and an extensive knowledge base on its website. The support team typically replies within 24–48 hours to help troubleshoot screener queries or data access issues.

For complex technical questions, you can dive into detailed FAQs and tutorials that guide you step-by-step through advanced features. Early access users also get priority treatment when new tools roll out.

External Reviews and Ratings

Finviz consistently earns top marks across trading communities. Traders praise its speed and depth, noting how it outperforms many free screeners in accuracy and features.

Some users mention the learning curve for new traders, but most agree the benefits outweigh the initial investment of time. Occasional requests for increased screener depth have been addressed with recent updates that add more filter fields and chart overlays.

Educational Resources and Community

Finviz supports traders with a robust set of learning materials. Its blog regularly publishes market commentary, screener tutorials, and strategy breakdowns.

The Finviz forum and social media channels foster a community where users share custom filters, chart setups, and backtest results. Webinars and video walkthroughs are also available for both free and Elite members.

Conclusion

Mastering stock scanning software is essential for maintaining an edge in today’s fast-moving markets, and Finviz delivers everything you need in a single platform. From real-time data and advanced charts to backtests and correlations, Finviz streamlines your workflow and helps you make data-driven decisions. If you’re ready to elevate your trading, start exploring Finviz and revolutionize how you scan the markets.

Don’t let another opportunity slip through the cracks. Get Started with Finviz for Free Today and see how powerful intuitive screening can transform your results.