Day traders use a screener differently from long-term investors. Instead of filtering on profit margins or dividends, you want stocks that are moving now: big price changes, high volume, gaps and chart patterns. For that, three things matter most: real-time data, fast scans and alerts.
This page compares the three screeners we have reviewed that suit active traders. We only cover tools we have checked, so some names traders mention are not here. Prices come from official pages and our reviews, and can change. Day trading is high risk and most people who try it lose money. This is general information, not advice on how to trade.
If you want free charts and screeners with paid real-time data, start with TradingView. For a fast US screener, Finviz Elite. For automated scans and backtests, TrendSpider.
Day trading screeners at a glance
| Screener | Real-time data | Strengths for day trading | Markets | Paid from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TradingView | Delayed free, real-time data extra | Charts, screeners and alerts in one app | Many exchanges worldwide | USD 12.95 a month billed yearly |
| TrendSpider | Real-time US equities and ETFs | Automated trendlines, scheduled scans, backtests | US only | USD 89 billed monthly |
| Finviz | On Elite, including premarket and after-hours | Fast filters, heat maps, alerts on new matches | US only | USD 24.96 a month billed yearly |
TradingView: charts, screeners and alerts together
TradingView’s stock screener covers 150+ exchanges with 500+ fundamental and technical fields, and it is on the free Basic plan. You can move from a screener result straight to a chart with 400+ built-in indicators and set price alerts. Data on many exchanges is delayed unless you add real-time data.
- Free plan: Basic, free with no card, with 3 active price alerts.
- Paid: Essential from USD 12.95 a month billed yearly. Paid plans add more alerts, charts per tab and intraday history.
- Suits: traders who want one app for screening, charting and alerts, in many markets.
See our TradingView review and TradingView pricing.
TrendSpider: automated scans and backtests
TrendSpider has real-time data for US stocks and ETFs. It draws trendlines automatically, runs scans on a schedule, and lets you backtest a setup before you use it. Plans set limits on alerts, scheduled scans and backtest depth.
- Free plan: none for the platform. There is a 14-day paid trial from USD 19, and trial fees are not refunded.
- Paid: Standard from USD 89 billed monthly.
- Suits: experienced chart traders who want automation.
See our TrendSpider review or TrendSpider vs TradingView.
Finviz: the fast US screener, with Elite for real-time data
Finviz is known for speed: a dense screen of filters, heat maps and a chart on every quote page. The free version uses delayed data. Elite adds real-time quotes and charts, including premarket and after-hours sessions, alerts when new stocks match a screen, data export and no ads.
- Free plan: yes, with delayed data.
- Paid: Elite from USD 24.96 a month billed yearly, or USD 39.50 billed monthly. Refunds on request within 30 days.
- Suits: US traders who want quick filters on price, volume and gaps.
- Less suited to: anyone trading outside the US.
See our Finviz review, or our list of Finviz alternatives.
What to look for in a day trading screener
- Real-time data. Delayed quotes are fine for research but not for trading during the day.
- Premarket and after-hours data, if you trade gaps at the open.
- Alerts that fire when a stock starts matching your screen.
- Speed and charts. You want to check the chart of each result in a click.
- Total cost. Real-time exchange data can cost extra on top of the plan.
For long-term investing, our best stock screeners ranking covers screeners built on company fundamentals, and our stock screener guide explains how to set one up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free stock screener for day trading?
Free screeners use delayed data, which limits them for day trading. TradingView’s free Basic plan has a full screener and charts, and Finviz’s free screener is fast. Both need a paid plan or data add-on for real-time quotes. See our best free stock screeners for what each free plan includes.
Does Finviz have real-time data?
Only on Finviz Elite. The free version is delayed. Elite adds real-time quotes and charts, including premarket and after-hours.
Is TradingView good for day trading?
Many active traders use it for charts, screeners and alerts. Real-time data on many exchanges costs extra, and the free plan has only 3 active price alerts. For a wider comparison, see our guide to the best stock alert apps.
Is day trading risky?
Yes. Prices can move fast against you, and most people who day trade lose money. Never trade money you cannot afford to lose.
Prices at a glance
Prices from each official pricing page. Prices can differ by region and may exclude tax.
Research, not advice. This article explains how tools work. It is general information, not a recommendation to buy or sell any investment, and not personal advice. Investing puts your capital at risk and you can get back less than you put in. Prices and plans change, so check the official site before you pay.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you subscribe through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We score every tool on the same published criteria, using facts from official pages and our own testing. How we make money. This page is general information, not personal investment advice.