MarketXLS vs Stock Connector: When Free Isn't Enough
Last updated: December 9, 2025
Stock Connector is a free Excel add-in for basic quotes on stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, crypto, and forex. MarketXLS is a paid Excel add-in and Google Sheets add-on (from $70/month billed annually) that adds option chains and Greeks, financial statements, a stock screener, templates, and real-time streaming quotes on its Advanced and Business plans. Choose Stock Connector for free basic quotes; choose MarketXLS when you need analysis data beyond quotes.
Which one to choose
Choose Stock Connector if you track a small portfolio, only need quotes, have no budget for data, or want stock data in Excel on an iPad.
Choose MarketXLS if you need option chains and Greeks, income statements and balance sheets, a stock screener, pre-built templates, Google Sheets support, or real-time streaming quotes (Advanced or Business plan; the Standard plan's stock quotes are 15-minute delayed).
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | MarketXLS | Stock Connector |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $70/month billed annually ($850/year) | ✓ Free |
| Excel Functions | ✓ 1,000+ functions in the formula library | Basic quote functions only |
| Data Source | ✓ QuoteMedia quotes; historical and fundamental data from multiple sources | See the Stock Connector listing |
| Real-Time Streaming | ✓ Advanced and Business plans (Standard: 15-min delayed) | Periodic refresh (delayed data) |
| Asset Coverage | ✓ Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, crypto, forex, indices | US stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, crypto, forex |
| Options Data | ✓ Chains, Greeks, scanner, profit calculator | ✗ None |
| Fundamental Data | ✓ Income statements, balance sheets, cash flow, ratios | ✗ Basic quotes only |
| Stock Screener | ✓ Rule-based screener with AI rule builder | ✗ None |
| Pre-Built Templates | ✓ Pre-built templates | ✗ None |
| Technical Indicators | ✓ RSI, MACD, moving averages, and more | ✗ None |
| Google Sheets Support | ✓ Google Sheets add-on | ✗ Excel only |
| iPad Support | ✗ Not advertised (Windows, Mac, Excel for the web, Google Sheets) | ✓ Works on iPad |
| Support | ✓ Email and US toll-free phone support | See the Stock Connector listing |
Where MarketXLS Wins
- Feature Depth: The MarketXLS formula library has 1,000+ functions covering stocks, options, fundamentals, technical indicators, and crypto. Stock Connector provides price quotes.
- Options Analytics: Option chains, Greeks, options scanner, and Options Profit Calculator. Stock Connector has no options data.
- Stock Screener: The MarketXLS screener filters stocks on rules you set, and its AI panel turns a plain-language request into screening rules. Stock Connector has no screener.
- Real-Time Streaming: On the Advanced and Business plans, MarketXLS streams real-time US stock and option prices that update automatically. Stock Connector refreshes delayed quotes periodically.
- Fundamental Analysis: Income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and financial ratios. Stock Connector provides quote data.
- Templates: Pre-built Excel templates for portfolio analysis, options strategies, stock screening, and more. No templates with Stock Connector.
- Support: Email support at support@marketxls.com and US toll-free phone support at 1-877-778-8358.
Where Stock Connector Wins
- Price: Stock Connector is free. For users who only need basic stock quotes in Excel and don't want to pay for any subscription, this is a clear advantage.
- iPad Compatibility: Stock Connector works in Excel on iPad. MarketXLS does not advertise iPad support.
- No Subscription Required: No credit card, no trial expiration, no payment decisions. Install and use immediately with zero commitment.
- Simplicity: If all you need is basic price data for a watchlist or small portfolio, Stock Connector keeps things simple without overwhelming you with features.
Who Should Choose MarketXLS?
MarketXLS is the right choice if you are:
- An active trader who needs real-time streaming quotes (Advanced or Business plan).
- An options trader who needs Greeks, profit calculators, and options chain analysis.
- An investor who analyzes fundamentals: income statements, balance sheets, and financial ratios.
- Someone who wants pre-built tools: templates, a stock screener, and portfolio optimization functions.
- A finance professional (RIA, analyst) who needs licensed data and email and phone support. Professional users have different entitlements and exchange fees.
Explore our formula library, templates, or view pricing plans.
Who Should Choose Stock Connector?
Stock Connector may be the better fit if you:
- Just want basic quotes for a small portfolio or watchlist and nothing more.
- Have zero budget for stock data tools and need a completely free solution.
- Use an iPad and need stock data in Excel on a tablet.
- Are a beginner just starting to explore stock data in spreadsheets and want a no-commitment entry point.
Frequently asked questions
Stock Connector is offered as a free Excel add-in. It returns quotes for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, and forex. It does not include options data, full financial statements, or a stock screener. Check the Stock Connector listing for its current data source and terms.
No. Stock Connector does not provide option chains, Greeks, or an options profit calculator. MarketXLS provides option chains, Greeks (delta, gamma, theta, vega, rho), an options scanner, an options profit calculator, and Black-Scholes functions. Options data is end-of-day on the Standard plan and real-time streaming on the Advanced and Business plans.
Stock Connector runs inside Excel, including Excel on iPad and Mac. MarketXLS runs on Windows through its desktop add-in, on Mac and Excel for the web through its Microsoft 365 add-in (formulas use the mxls. prefix, for example =mxls.Last("MSFT")), and in Google Sheets through its add-on. MarketXLS does not advertise iPad support.
Stock Connector refreshes its quotes periodically, and the data may be delayed. MarketXLS quotes are 15-minute delayed on the Standard plan. On the Advanced and Business plans, MarketXLS QM_Stream_ functions stream real-time US stock and option prices that update automatically while streaming is on.
Yes, if your needs are basic today. Stock Connector covers quotes for a small portfolio at no cost. Move to MarketXLS when you need options data, financial statements, a stock screener, pre-built templates, or real-time streaming quotes.
Book a demo with our team to explore the features and workflows relevant to your research.