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Investing » What Is the Best ETF Screener?

What Is the Best ETF Screener?

Discover the best free and paid ETF screeners with powerful filters, comparison tools, and expert insights to guide smart investing decisions.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. We do not provide personalized investment recommendations or act as financial advisors.

Table Of Content

What Makes a Good ETF Screener?

A good ETF screener helps investors identify funds that match their goals, risk profile, and market view with precision and speed.

  • Customizable Filters – Investors should be able to filter by asset class, sector, region, expense ratio, and performance to find suitable ETFs.

  • Real-Time Data – Reliable screeners show up-to-date prices, volume, and trends, which is critical for active traders.

  • In-Depth ETF Profiles – Quality tools provide fund flows, holdings breakdown, sector exposure, and historical performance for research-based investing.

  • Comparison Tools – Some screeners allow side-by-side ETF comparisons to help users choose between similar funds.

These features allow beginners and professionals alike to make smarter, data-driven ETF investment decisions.

How to Use an ETF Screener? Tips & Examples

Top Free and Paid ETF Screeners

Choosing the right ETF screener can dramatically improve how you analyze and select funds.

Whether you’re focused on cost, sector exposure, or performance trends, the best ETF screeners combine powerful filters, real-time data, and investor-friendly tools to support smarter decisions.

1. Fidelity ETF Screener

Fidelity offers a powerful, user-friendly ETF screener that's ideal for both casual and experienced investors. Its platform is free and fully accessible with a Fidelity account.

  • Advanced Filter Criteria – You can narrow down ETFs by performance, sector, index type, dividend yield, and even ESG ratings.

  • Strategy-Oriented Screens—Users can save time by exploring preset screens like “Low Expense Ratio” or “High Growth Potential.”

  • ETF Research Pages – Each ETF includes detailed performance charts, top holdings, and risk metrics to support thorough analysis.

It’s particularly helpful for retirement-focused investors looking to optimize ETF picks inside IRAs or Fidelity brokerage accounts.

No upgrade is required, making it an excellent free resource for all ETF investors.

ETF chart on Fidelity

2. Morningstar ETF Screener

Morningstar’s ETF screener is built for in-depth analysis, making it ideal for investors who want to assess both fundamentals and ratings.

  • Morningstar Ratings and Scores – ETFs are rated based on past performance and forward-looking analyst research, offering extra insight beyond raw data.

  • Portfolio X-Ray Tool – Investors can analyze their ETF portfolio exposure across sectors and asset classes, useful for rebalancing.

  • Risk and Return Metrics – Sharpe ratio, standard deviation, and downside capture are displayed, aiding in risk-adjusted decision-making.

The free version is limited to basic filters, but Morningstar Investor unlocks premium analytics and screen customization.

It’s best suited for research-driven investors managing diversified portfolios.

3. TradingView ETF Screener

TradingView isn’t a traditional ETF screener, but its charting and screening tools are valuable for technical traders who trade ETFs.

  • Custom Technical Filters – Screen ETFs based on RSI, MACD, moving averages, and breakout signals for short-term strategies.

  • Interactive Charts with Indicators – Once filtered, ETFs can be analyzed with overlays like Bollinger Bands or Fibonacci levels.

  • Watchlists and Alerts – Users can save ETF ideas and get notified when technical conditions are met.

While the free version includes limited filters and alerts, the Premium plans unlock more indicators and faster data.

ETF highest returs and dividend list overview, TradingView

ETF.com Screener

ETF.com offers a straightforward screener that focuses on transparency. This tool is useful for investors comparing funds by cost, liquidity, and structure.

  • Fund Focus Filters – Users can screen by fund issuer, leverage, structure (e.g., physical vs. synthetic), and active vs. passive strategy.

  • Expense Ratio Comparison – Helps investors spot lower-cost options in similar categories to boost net returns.

  • Liquidity and Spread Data – Data on average volume and bid/ask spread help ensure investors can trade ETFs efficiently.

This tool is especially helpful for cost-conscious investors and institutional users needing transparency. It's entirely free and doesn’t require login.

VettaFi (ETF Database)

VettaFi’s ETF Database has filtering tools, comparison features, and educational support for ETF investors and advisors.

  • Theme and Sector Search – Easily find ETFs that align with current trends like AI, clean energy, or dividend growth.

  • ETF Comparison Tool: This tool allows users to compare up to five ETFs side by side based on returns, fees, and liquidity.

  • Flows and Sentiment Tracker – Reveals investor behavior through fund inflows/outflows, great for timing decisions.

Free users get core filters, but advisors and professionals can subscribe to VettaFi for advanced data. It’s best for trend-following ETF investors or those building model portfolios.

What Features to Look for in an ETF Screener?

A strong ETF screener offers more than just filters—it should simplify your search and guide you toward the right investment choices.

  • Flexible Filter Options – Choose by asset class, geography, sector, market cap, dividend yield, and other specific metrics.

  • Expense Ratio and Fee Insights – Screeners should clearly display costs to help compare similar ETFs on a net-return basis.

  • Performance History – Look for tools that show multi-year returns and compare funds to benchmarks or peers.

  • Risk Metrics – Useful screeners include volatility, Sharpe ratio, and beta to match ETFs with your risk appetite.

  • Holdings Transparency – Top screeners reveal top holdings, sector weightings, and rebalancing schedules.

  • Liquidity and Volume Filters – Help day traders or active investors avoid illiquid ETFs with wide bid/ask spreads.

  • Comparison Tools – Ability to analyze multiple ETFs side-by-side makes it easier to identify the best fit.

These features help investors narrow thousands of ETFs into a shortlist tailored to their strategy, goals, and timeline.

Plan
Subscription
Best For
Morningstar Investor
$34.95 $249 ($20.75 / month) if paid annually
Retirement Planners
Zacks Premium
$249 ($20.75/month) No monthly plan
Research-Driven Investors
Motley Fool Stock Advisor
$199 (16.60 / month) No monthly plan
Stock Picks
Yahoo Finance Gold
$49.95 $479.40 ($39.95 / month) if paid annually
Casual Investors
InvestingPro
$15.99 $120 ($9.99 / month) if paid annually
Global Market Investors
TipRanks Premium
$359 ($30 / month) No monthly plan
Analysts Followers
Seeking Alpha Premium
$299 ($24.90 / month) No monthly subscription
Research-Oriented Investors

FAQ

ETF screeners filter entire funds based on attributes like holdings, fees, and strategy, while stock screeners focus on individual company metrics.

Yes, most screeners allow you to filter ETFs based on dividend yield, payout frequency, or dividend growth history to meet income goals.

Many screeners include international and global ETFs. You can often filter by region or currency exposure to tailor your search.

This depends on the platform. Some update daily, while others with technical tools like TradingView may offer real-time data for active trading.

Most platforms include 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns along with comparisons to indexes or benchmarks.

Yes, many screeners have preset filters or educational tools to help beginners find ETFs by theme, cost, or investment strategy.

Several screeners, like Morningstar and Fidelity, allow filtering by ESG scores or sustainability ratings.

Yes, platforms often let you filter by management style—passive vs. active—so you can find actively managed ETF options.

If you need deeper analysis, portfolio tools, or sentiment tracking, premium screeners like TipRanks or Morningstar Investor can add value.

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.