MarketXLS vs FactSet for Excel-Based Analysis
Last updated: September 28, 2026
MarketXLS and FactSet both deliver financial data into Excel, but at different scales. MarketXLS is an Excel and Google Sheets add-in for stocks, ETFs, options, and fundamentals, with published plans from $850 to $2,400 per year. FactSet is an enterprise research platform with a workstation, an Excel add-in, portfolio analytics, risk models, and multi-asset data, sold by quote.
Choose FactSet if your firm needs portfolio attribution, multi-factor risk, quant research tools, or multi-asset global data. Choose MarketXLS if you mainly need equity and options data in Excel and want a published, self-service plan.
Which one should you choose?
Choose FactSet if:
- Portfolio attribution and risk: You need performance attribution, multi-factor risk models, or stress testing for institutional portfolios.
- Quant research: Your team runs factor research and backtests inside a research platform.
- Multi-asset global data: You cover fixed income, private markets, or global markets beyond MarketXLS coverage.
- Enterprise administration: You need shared workspaces, user administration, and compliance workflows for a large team.
Choose MarketXLS if:
- Equities and options in Excel: You build your own models in Excel from stock, ETF, fund, and options data.
- Options focus: You need option chains, Greeks, and an options profit calculator.
- Published pricing: You want to see the price and buy without an enterprise sales process.
- Small team or individual: You do not need enterprise onboarding or administration.
MarketXLS vs FactSet at a glance
This table compares what each product offers an Excel user. FactSet details are general descriptions; confirm specifics and pricing with FactSet.
| Feature | MarketXLS | FactSet |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published plans: Standard $850/year, Advanced $1,500/year, Business $2,400/year billed annually Quarterly billing also available. Cancel anytime. | Quote-based subscription Contact FactSet for pricing |
| Main interface | Excel add-in and Google Sheets add-on No separate terminal or web app needed | FactSet Workstation With an Excel add-in |
| Excel access | Excel add-in with 1,000+ functions Windows desktop add-in, plus a Microsoft 365 add-in for Excel on Mac and the web (formulas use the mxls. prefix) | FactSet Excel add-in |
| Real-time stock data | US stocks: 15-minute delayed on Standard, real-time streaming on Advanced and Business Quotes from QuoteMedia | Real-time feeds available Depends on the data package |
| Options data | Option chains, Greeks, historical option chains, options profit calculator End-of-day on Standard, real-time streaming on Advanced and Business | Options data available Depends on the data package |
| Market coverage | US, Canadian, UK, German, and Australian markets ASX live data needs an additional Barchart subscription | Global multi-asset coverage Equities, fixed income, private markets |
| Portfolio attribution and risk models | Basic risk metrics in Excel For example beta, volatility, and correlation functions | Core strength Attribution, multi-factor risk, stress testing |
| Quant research tools | Data for your own models Pulled into Excel with functions | Built-in factor and backtesting tools |
| Google Sheets | Google Sheets add-on Same pricing as MarketXLS for Excel | Not covered on this page; check with the vendor |
| Setup | Self-service install of the add-in Book a demo at /book-demo if you want a walkthrough | Enterprise onboarding through FactSet |
| Support | Email support@marketxls.com or call 1-877-778-8358 (US toll-free) | FactSet account and support teams |
What MarketXLS costs
MarketXLS publishes three US plans. Compare them with the quote FactSet gives you for the modules and users you need.
| MarketXLS plan | Billed annually | Billed quarterly | US stocks and ETFs | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $850/year ($70/month) | $255/quarter ($85/month) | 15-minute delayed | End-of-day |
| Advanced | $1,500/year ($125/month) | $450/quarter ($150/month) | Real-time streaming | Real-time streaming |
| Business | $2,400/year ($200/month) | $720/quarter ($240/month) | Real-time streaming | Real-time streaming |
Prices are for non-professional users and include data and exchange fees; taxes may apply. Professional users have different entitlements and exchange fees. Forex is 15-minute delayed on Standard and Advanced and real-time on Business.
Where FactSet is stronger
- Portfolio analytics: Performance attribution and institutional reporting.
- Risk models: Multi-factor risk, stress testing, and scenario analysis.
- Quant research: Factor analysis and backtesting for systematic strategies.
- Multi-asset coverage: Fixed income, private markets, and global equities in one platform.
- Enterprise workflows: Shared workspaces, user administration, and compliance workflows for large teams.
If these capabilities drive your work, FactSet is the better fit.
Where MarketXLS is stronger
- Published pricing: Plans are listed on the MarketXLS pricing page, from $850 to $2,400 per year billed annually, with quarterly billing and cancel-anytime subscriptions.
- Formulas in your own workbook: Functions such as =Last("AAPL"), =QM_GetHistory("AAPL"), and =hf_revenue("AAPL", 2024) return data straight into cells, and VBA can call MarketXLS functions.
- Options in Excel: =QM_GetOptionChain("AAPL") returns an option chain, streaming functions return live Greeks on the Advanced and Business plans, and the options profit calculator models strategy payoffs.
- Excel on Windows, Mac, and the web, plus Google Sheets: The Windows desktop add-in, the Microsoft 365 add-in (Mac and Excel for the web), and a Google Sheets add-on share one function library.
- Floating license: One license can be used on any machine, one machine at a time.
Moving Excel workbooks from FactSet to MarketXLS
FactSet formulas do not run in MarketXLS, so workbooks are rebuilt with MarketXLS functions rather than imported. FactSet Excel formulas are specific to the FactSet add-in.
Map each data point to its MarketXLS function in the formula library at /formulas: =Last("AAPL") for the last price, =QM_GetHistory("AAPL") for price history, hf_ functions such as =hf_revenue("AAPL", 2024) for statement data, and =QM_GetOptionChain("AAPL") for option chains. To walk through your own workbook, book a demo at /book-demo or email support@marketxls.com.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
For individuals and small firms that mainly analyze US stocks, ETFs, and options in Excel, MarketXLS covers that work with 1,000+ Excel functions, option chains, and an AI stock screener. It does not replace FactSet portfolio attribution, multi-factor risk models, quant research tools, or multi-asset institutional data.
MarketXLS publishes its prices: Standard $850/year, Advanced $1,500/year, and Business $2,400/year billed annually, or $255, $450, and $720 per quarter. FactSet is sold by quote based on modules and users, so compare these prices with your FactSet quote.
No. MarketXLS covers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, and fundamentals for US, Canadian, UK, German, and Australian markets. FactSet covers more asset classes and regions, including fixed income and private markets.
No. Install the Windows desktop add-in, or the Microsoft 365 add-in for Excel on Mac and the web, and sign in or enter your license key. MarketXLS also runs in Google Sheets.
FactSet is stronger for portfolio attribution, multi-factor risk, quant research tools, multi-asset global data, and enterprise administration for large teams.
I invite you to book a demo with me or my team to save time, enhance your investment research, and streamline your workflows.