MarketXLS vs YCharts: Excel Add-in vs Advisor Web Platform
Last updated: September 28, 2026
MarketXLS and YCharts solve different problems. MarketXLS is an Excel and Google Sheets add-in that returns stock, ETF, options, and fundamental data into cells with formulas, with published plans from $850 to $2,400 per year. YCharts is a web-based research platform built for financial advisors, with charts, client-facing reports, and advisor workflow tools.
Choose YCharts if you want browser-based research and client proposals and reports for an advisory practice. Choose MarketXLS if your analysis lives in Excel or Google Sheets, or if you need options data.
Which one should you choose?
Choose YCharts if:
- Client-facing reports: You produce proposals, reports, and visual comparisons for clients.
- Browser-based research: You prefer charts and research in a web app over spreadsheet formulas.
- Advisor workflows: You want tools designed around an advisory practice, including advisor-focused integrations.
- No installation: You want nothing installed in Excel.
Choose MarketXLS if:
- Formulas in Excel or Google Sheets: You build your own models and want live data in cells, not exported files.
- Options data: You need option chains, Greeks, and an options profit calculator.
- Real-time streaming in Excel: Real-time US stock and options data streams into cells on the Advanced and Business plans.
- Portfolio analysis in your own sheet: You want portfolio and risk calculations inside your own workbook.
MarketXLS vs YCharts at a glance
This table compares what each product offers. YCharts details are general descriptions; confirm features and pricing with YCharts.
| Feature | MarketXLS | YCharts |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published plans: Standard $850/year, Advanced $1,500/year, Business $2,400/year billed annually Quarterly billing also available. Cancel anytime. | Subscription See YCharts for current pricing |
| Main interface | Excel add-in and Google Sheets add-on No separate terminal or web app needed | Web-based platform Browser interface |
| 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) | Data export to Excel Confirm current Excel options with YCharts |
| Real-time stock data | US stocks: 15-minute delayed on Standard, real-time streaming on Advanced and Business Quotes from QuoteMedia | Market data in the web platform |
| Options data | Option chains, Greeks, historical option chains, options profit calculator End-of-day on Standard, real-time streaming on Advanced and Business | Not a primary focus |
| Market coverage | US, Canadian, UK, German, and Australian markets ASX live data needs an additional Barchart subscription | Stocks, funds, and economic data |
| Client reports and proposals | Not a focus Build your own reports in Excel | Core strength Client-facing reports and proposals |
| 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 | Web-based; no installation |
| Support | Email support@marketxls.com or call 1-877-778-8358 (US toll-free) | YCharts support team |
What MarketXLS costs
MarketXLS publishes three US plans. Compare them with the current YCharts price for your needs.
| 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 YCharts is stronger
- Advisor workflow tools: Built for financial advisors, including client communication and proposals.
- Client-facing reports: Templates for reports and presentations.
- Visual comparisons: Web-based charts and comparisons designed for sharing.
- Web access: Runs in a browser with nothing to install.
If advisor client reporting is the center of your work, YCharts 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.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
MarketXLS is an Excel and Google Sheets add-in that returns market data into cells with formulas such as =Last("AAPL"). YCharts is a web-based research platform for financial advisors with charts and client-facing reports.
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. Check the YCharts website for its current pricing.
Yes. =QM_GetOptionChain("AAPL") returns an option chain in Excel, streaming functions return live Greeks, and the options profit calculator models strategies. Options data is end-of-day on Standard and real-time on Advanced and Business.
Yes. Mac users install the MarketXLS Microsoft 365 add-in and sign in with their MarketXLS account; formulas use the mxls. prefix, for example =mxls.Last("MSFT"). MarketXLS also works in Google Sheets.
YCharts is stronger for advisor workflows: client-facing reports and proposals, visual comparisons, and browser-based research with nothing to install.
I invite you to book a demo with me or my team to save time, enhance your investment research, and streamline your workflows.