Motley Fool Stock Advisor
Annual Subscription
Promotion
Our Rating
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Motley Fool Stock Advisor is a stock recommendation service designed for long-term investors looking to build a strong portfolio with expert-backed stock picks.
Every month, members receive two new stock recommendations, carefully selected based on fundamental analysis, business strength, and long-term growth potential.
Along with stock picks, investors get access to foundational stocks, monthly rankings, portfolio strategies, and analyst insights to help them make confident investment decisions.
It also includes market news, earnings reports, and Fool24’s live coverage, offering expert perspectives on stock movements and investment opportunities.
However, the service has some limitations. It does not offer real-time data, technical analysis tools, or personalized stock ratings.
- 2 Monthly Stock Picks
- Stock Rankings & Scorecards
- Foundational Stock Selection
- Portfolio Strategy Guides
- Personalized Stock Tracking
- Returns Simulator Tool
- Stock Screener & Filters
- Moneyball Database Insights
- Fundamental Stock Analysis
- Fool24 Live Market Coverage
- Exclusive Analyst Reports
- Partial FoolIQ Access
- Expert-backed stock picks
- Strong long-term focus
- Portfolio management tools
- Exclusive analyst insights
- Regular stock rankings
- No real-time data
- Lacks technical analysis
- No short-term trading tools
- Limited asset coverage
- No personalized stock ratings
Motley Fool Stock Advisor vs. Other Motley Fool Plans
Motley Fool Stock Advisor is the most affordable and widely used subscription, good for beginner investors. Epic Plan upgrades to five stock picks per month, AI-driven research, and GamePlan+ portfolio tools.
Plan | Annual Subscription | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
Motley Fool Stock Advisor | $199 (16.60 / month)
No monthly plan
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
Motley Fool Stock Epic | $499 (41.60 / month)
No monthly plan
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
Motley Fool Epic Plus | $1,999 (166.60 / month)
No monthly plan
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
Epic+ provides premium analyst insights, exclusive stock deep dives, and advanced portfolio strategies for serious long-term investors.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor Picks: Are They Worth It?
We analyzed Motley Fool’s stock picks to see how they perform against the market and whether they justify the subscription fee:
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Stock Picks & Recommendations
Motley Fool Stock Advisor focuses on providing stock recommendations aimed at long-term investors looking to build a strong portfolio.
Here are 3 different features that provide recommendations from different angles:
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2 Monthly Stock Recommendations
Every month, Stock Advisor members receive two new stock recommendations, chosen by Motley Fool analysts based on thorough research and long-term potential.
These picks aim to outperform the market over the next 3–5 years, with a focus on companies that show strong fundamentals, competitive advantages, and solid growth prospects.
Each recommendation comes with a detailed report explaining why the stock is a good buy, including company strengths, risks, and future outlook.
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Monthly Stock Rankings
Stock Advisor members get access to updated stock rankings, which highlight the best investment opportunities based on both analyst research and quantitative models.
These rankings help investors quickly see which stocks the Motley Fool team believes have the best chance of beating the market over the next five years.
Updated weekly, these rankings give investors flexibility in choosing stocks providing provide a broader list of top stocks
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Additional Scorecards with Stock Recommendations
Stock Advisor members also get access to Additional Scorecards, which are investing strategies focused on specific themes.
These scorecards provide extra stock recommendations tailored to different investment strategies, risk levels, and market conditions.
For example, certain scorecards may highlight stocks that perform well during bear markets, while others focus on high-growth opportunities for bull markets.
This helps members diversify their portfolios by balancing risk and maximizing long-term performance.
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Foundational Stocks
Stock Advisor highlights Foundational Stocks, which are companies with strong balance sheets, reliable cash flow, and long-term growth potential.
These stocks serve as the core of a portfolio, helping investors establish a strong base before adding more speculative picks.
These companies are selected for their ability to weather economic downturns while continuing to fund growth initiatives.
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Portfolio Management
Motley Fool Stock Advisor doesn’t just recommend stocks—it also helps investors manage their portfolios effectively.
It offers tools and strategies to help members diversify, balance risk, and stay on track for long-term success:
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Portfolio Strategies: Cautious, Moderate, Aggressive
Stock Advisor offers portfolio strategies tailored to different risk levels: Cautious, Moderate, and Aggressive. These strategies help investors decide how to allocate their investments based on their financial goals and risk tolerance.
- Cautious portfolios: focus on low-risk, stable stocks that provide steady returns with minimal volatility—ideal for conservative investors or retirees.
- Moderate portfolios: strike a balance between risk and reward, including a mix of stable stocks and higher-growth opportunities.
- Aggressive portfolios: lean towards high-growth stocks, maximizing long-term returns but carrying higher short-term risks.
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My Stocks: Personalized Stock Tracking Tool
The My Stocks feature acts as a personalized stock tracking tool, allowing members to create a watchlist, build a portfolio, and monitor stock performance.
Investors can add stocks they own or are interested in, making it easier to follow Motley Fool's recommendations and market movements.
Along with tracking, curated insights and analysis on watched stocks help investors stay updated on company news, earnings reports, and stock performance.
This feature is great for keeping an eye on portfolio changes, identifying buying opportunities, and adjusting investments based on market trends.
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The Returns Simulator
The Returns Simulator helps investors manage their portfolio by estimating potential future returns based on key factors like number of stocks, investment duration, and portfolio value.
It allows users to see how different portfolio sizes and holding periods impact overall performance, helping them make better allocation decisions.
By adjusting these inputs, investors can visualize potential long-term gains, understand how diversification affects risk, and set realistic return expectations.
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Stock Research
Motley Fool Stock Advisor offers stock research tools to help investors find and track potential investments:
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Stock Screener
The Stock Screener helps investors filter stocks based on specific criteria, such as industry, market cap, growth potential, and valuation.
Unlike basic stock lists, this tool allows users to narrow down investment choices by focusing on stocks that meet their personal investing strategy.
Stock Advisor’s screener is designed for long-term investors, highlighting stocks with strong fundamentals and future growth potential.
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Moneyball Database
The Moneyball Database is Motley Fool’s AI-driven system for analyzing and ranking thousands of companies.
It helps investors identify strong stocks by reviewing financial performance, growth potential, and key business metrics.
For Stock Advisor members, this tool simplifies stock research by filtering out weaker stocks and focusing on those with solid fundamentals.
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Watchlist
The Watchlist feature lets investors track stocks they own or are interested in and stay updated with the latest news, analysis, and Motley Fool insights.
Instead of constantly searching for updates, users can organize stocks in one place and receive alerts on important developments.
How To Analyze Stocks With Stock Advisor?
We tested Stock Advisor’s fundamental analysis approach, exploring how its expert stock picks perform in different market conditions:
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Fundemental Stock Analysis
Motley Fool’s free Stock Analysis feature offers insights into individual stocks, covering performance, financials, and market trends. It includes a Return vs. S&P 500 comparison, company overview, and industry trends.
The news & analysis section compiles expert opinions, while the financial health segment highlights revenue, profitability, and balance sheet strength. The valuation section assesses stock pricing.
Additional insights come from podcasts, earnings transcripts, and a related stocks section for comparisons.
Lastly, there is the FoolIQ tool:
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Partial FoolIQ Access
FoolIQ is Motley Fool’s in-depth research toolkit, providing essential financial data and company analysis.
With Partial FoolIQ Access, Stock Advisor members can view up to three years of financial data on thousands of companies, helping them assess revenue growth, profitability, and balance sheet strength.
This tool is useful for understanding a company’s financial health without needing complex spreadsheets or deep financial expertise.
It allows investors to compare stocks, identify strong performers, and avoid financially weak companies.
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Access to Fool24’s Live Coverage
Fool24’s Live Coverage provides real-time market insights, interviews, and expert discussions every trading day from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET.
This live programming covers earnings reports, stock analysis, portfolio strategies, and market-moving news.
For Stock Advisor members, this feature offers a unique advantage by giving direct access to Motley Fool analysts and their take on unfolding events.
During earnings season, bonus coverage includes live reactions to earnings calls and performance breakdowns.
Investors who miss the live sessions can watch recorded episodes anytime.
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Scoreboard Videos & Leaderboard
The Scoreboard Videos & Leaderboard feature offers daily stock evaluations by Motley Fool analysts.
Every market day, two experts review a stock and assess it based on business fundamentals, financial health, management quality, and market performance.
After evaluation, stocks are ranked on the leaderboard, giving members a quick view of the highest-rated stocks.
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PGI (Potential Growth Indicator)
The Potential Growth Indicator (PGI) is a proprietary metric used by Motley Fool to measure investor sentiment and market liquidity.
It calculates the amount of cash sitting in taxable money market accounts relative to the total value of U.S. stocks.
- A high PGI suggests that many investors are holding onto cash, which could indicate hesitation or uncertainty about the market.
- A low PGI, on the other hand, means that investors are actively putting money into stocks, signaling strong market confidence.
For Stock Advisor members, PGI helps determine whether market conditions are favorable for investing.
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Partial GamePlan Access: Plan Retirement Effectively
GamePlan is Motley Fool’s retirement-focused investing guide, offering portfolio strategies, ETF rankings, and long-term financial planning insights.
With Partial GamePlan Access, Stock Advisor members can explore retirement planning tools and ETF rankings, helping them build a well-balanced, diversified portfolio.
For investors focusing on long-term wealth building, this feature provides essential guidance on asset allocation, retirement savings strategies, and risk management.
It also helps members determine which ETFs align with their financial goals, whether they prefer growth, income, or conservative investments.
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Analyst Coverage, News, & Reports
Stock Advisor members get access to exclusive analyst coverage, stock reports, and sector news, helping them stay informed about market trends and investment opportunities.
These reports provide expert insights into stocks, industries, and market shifts, giving investors more ideas beyond monthly stock recommendations.
They include deep dives into specific companies, risk assessments, and long-term outlooks.
Additionally, sector reports highlight trending industries, such as AI, renewable energy, and fintech, explaining why certain stocks could be good investments.
Stock Advisor Additional Features & Tools
Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor Plan includes additional tools and features that help investors stay informed and manage their investments more effectively.
Here are ten useful tools available without a subscription:
- Dividend Stock List: Highlights companies with strong dividend histories, helping income-focused investors find reliable stocks for passive income.
- Watchlist Feature: Allows users to save and track their favorite stocks in one place, making it easier to monitor performance over time.
- Earnings Calendar: Displays upcoming earnings reports for major companies, helping investors stay ahead of key financial announcements.
- IPO Calendar: Tracks newly listed and upcoming IPOs, offering insights into potential investment opportunities in the public market.
- Investment Calculators: Includes tools for retirement planning, compound interest projections, and portfolio growth estimations.
Limitations: What You Need to Know
While Motley Fool Stock Advisor provides valuable stock recommendations and market insights, it has some notable limitations:
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Lack of Technical Analysis Tools
Stock Advisor is not designed for traders who rely on technical analysis. Motley Fool does not offer interactive charts, price action indicators, moving averages, or momentum tracking tools.
The recommendations are fundamentally driven, meaning investors who time their entries and exits based on chart patterns or volume trends will need to use additional tools.
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Limited Coverage on Non-Stock Investments
Stock Advisor primarily focuses on individual stocks and does not provide extensive research on bonds, mutual funds, commodities, cryptocurrencies, or alternative assets.
Unlike services such as Morningstar or Seeking Alpha, which offer comprehensive investment research, Stock Advisor does not include deep analysis of fixed-income investments, real estate, mutual funds, or global markets.
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Lack of Real-Time Market Data
Stock Advisor does not provide real-time stock prices, breaking news, or live market updates.
Investors looking for instant trade execution, intraday analysis, or technical charts will need to rely on external platforms like Yahoo Finance, TradingView, or brokerage platforms.
Is Motley Fool Stock Advisor Right for You?
Motley Fool Stock Advisor is designed for investors who prefer a long-term, research-driven approach to the stock market. It focuses on high-quality stock picks and portfolio management strategies rather than short-term trading.
Here are four types of investors who may benefit from the service:
- Long-Term Investors: Best suited for those who want to buy and hold stocks for 3–5 years or longer, focusing on steady growth rather than short-term market fluctuations.
- Beginners Looking for Guidance: Offers easy-to-understand stock recommendations, educational resources, and portfolio-building strategies, making it a great starting point for new investors.
- Investors Who Prefer Expert Research: Ideal for those who don’t have time to analyze stocks but want to follow expert-backed recommendations.
- DIY Investors Looking for New Ideas: Offers hand-picked stock recommendations without requiring users to follow a rigid portfolio model, allowing flexibility in investment decisions.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor: Who Should Skip It?
Motley Fool Stock Advisor is great for long-term investors, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. Here are four types of investors who may not benefit from the service:
- Day Traders: Stock Advisor focuses on long-term growth, not short-term price movements, and lacks real-time data, intraday analysis, or trade signals.
- Technical Traders: There are no advanced charts, momentum indicators, or technical analysis tools, making it unsuitable for those who rely on price action strategies.
- Options and Futures Traders: There’s no coverage of options, futures, or derivatives strategies, which means traders using complex instruments won’t find useful insights.
- Those Wanting Coverage on Non-Stock Investments: The service focuses only on stocks, offering little guidance on bonds, commodities, real estate, or crypto.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor Alternatives: Pricing & Tools
While Stock Advisor provides simple, easy-to-follow stock picks, other platforms focus on different aspects of stock analysis and investing.
Plan | Subscription | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
Morningstar Investor | $34.95
$249 ($20.75 / month) if paid annually | 7-Day free trial |
Zacks Premium | $249 ($20.75/month)
No monthly plan | 30-day free trial |
Motley Fool Stock Advisor | $199 (16.60 / month)
No monthly plan
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
Benzinga Pro | $37
$367 ($30.58 / month) if paid annually | $129
$129 for new member’s annual price ($11/month), including 7-day money-back guarantee
|
GuruFocus Premium | $499 ($41.58/ month)
No monthly plan, price for US citizens, price change by region | 7-day free trial + 30-day money-back guarantee |
StockTwits Edge | $22.95
$229.50 ($19.10 / month) if paid annually
| N/A |
Stock Analysis | $9.99
$79 ($6.58 / month) if paid annually | 60-day money back guarantee |
Seeking Alpha Premium offers quant ratings, analyst articles, and stock screeners for data-driven investors. GuruFocus Premium specializes in deep financial metrics and valuation models, ideal for fundamental investors.
Zacks Premium provides stock ratings and short-term trading insights, catering to active traders.
Morningstar Investor focuses on mutual fund and ETF research, while Benzinga Pro Plan delivers real-time news and trading signals for day traders.
FAQ
Motley Fool Stock Advisor releases two new stock picks per month, typically spaced out to give investors time to research and buy them.
Yes, members can view past recommendations along with their performance history, but updates on whether to sell or hold are limited.
Rarely. The service focuses on long-term investing, and while some sell recommendations exist, they are infrequent compared to buy recommendations.
Stock Advisor primarily focuses on long-term growth stocks, which may not perform well in bear markets or high-volatility periods.
No, Motley Fool does not set specific price targets but provides general insights on why a stock is a strong long-term buy.
Stock Advisor primarily recommends U.S.-based stocks, with very little coverage of international companies.
Yes, it suggests a balanced portfolio of 25+ stocks across different industries to help reduce risk.
Review Premium Stock Analysis Tools
How We Rated Premium Investing Analysis & Research Tools
At The Smart Investor, we evaluated premium investment research platforms based on their advanced features, data depth, and overall value compared to other paid alternatives. Each platform was rated based on the following key aspects:
- Advanced Fundamental Analysis Tools (20%): We assessed the depth of financial data, historical reports, earnings forecasts, and valuation models. Platforms that provided institutional-grade insights, DCF analysis, customizable financial models, and access to premium analyst reports scored higher.
- Advanced Technical Analysis Features (20%): We reviewed the availability of real-time charting, advanced indicators, custom scripting, and AI-driven pattern recognition. Platforms that offered backtesting tools, automated trading strategies, and integration with third-party software received better ratings.
- Stock Screener & Premium Filters (15%): A high-quality screener is essential for pro investors, so we evaluated customization depth, real-time filtering, and AI-driven stock discovery. Platforms offering pre-built expert screeners, backtesting capabilities, and sector-specific analytics scored the highest.
- Portfolio Tracking & Advanced Alerts (10%): We rated platforms on their ability to provide real-time performance tracking, portfolio rebalancing tools, and tax optimization insights. Platforms with smart alerts, AI-driven risk assessments, and brokerage integration ranked higher.
- Ease of Use & Customization (15%): We assessed how well premium platforms balance advanced capabilities with user-friendly interfaces. Those offering custom dashboards, API access, and seamless multi-device usability received better ratings.
- Pricing (20%): We considered how the plan's pricing compared to other premium plans and what benefits traders/investors get. Is it worth it overall?
