In today’s fast-paced stock market environment, the ability to quickly find profitable stock opportunities is more important than ever. Whether you’re a beginner investor or a seasoned trader, the Finviz Stock Screener has likely come across your radar. It’s widely regarded as one of the most efficient, user-friendly, and feature-rich platforms for stock analysis.
In this comprehensive 2500+ word guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Finviz — from how it works, its key features, and best strategies, to real-world tips on how to use the stock screener for smarter, more data-driven investment decisions in 2025 and beyond.
Table of Contents
- What is Finviz?
- Why Use a Stock Screener?
- Key Features of Finviz
- How to Use the Finviz Stock Screener
- Free vs Finviz Elite: Which One is Right for You?
- Best Filters and Settings for Beginners
- Advanced Strategies Using Finviz
- Pros and Cons of Finviz
- Finviz Alternatives in 2025
- Conclusion
What is Finviz?
Finviz, short for Financial Visualizations, is a powerful stock market research and visualization tool. Launched in 2007, it quickly gained popularity among investors for its ability to present complex market data in a clear, easy-to-digest visual format. The platform offers:
- A fast and intuitive stock screener
- Real-time market maps and heatmaps
- Technical and fundamental data
- News feeds
- Portfolio tracking
- Insider trading data
It’s a favorite among retail investors, swing traders, and even professional analysts looking for actionable data.
Why Use a Stock Screener?
A stock screener helps investors filter thousands of stocks based on predefined criteria such as:
- Market cap
- Price
- P/E ratio
- Sector
- Technical indicators (RSI, SMA, etc.)
Instead of manually sifting through tickers, a stock screener like Finviz automates the discovery process. This makes it ideal for:
- Identifying growth stocks
- Spotting undervalued companies
- Finding breakout opportunities
- Scanning for short-selling targets
Using a screener enhances decision-making and supports more systematic investing.
Key Features of Finviz
Let’s take a closer look at the primary tools Finviz offers:
a. Stock Screener
The flagship feature allows users to apply dozens of filters across categories:
- Descriptive: Market Cap, Dividend Yield, Sector
- Fundamental: P/E Ratio, EPS Growth, ROE
- Technical: RSI, 20-Day SMA, Pattern formations
You can mix and match filters to suit your strategy.
b. Market Maps
These heatmaps show how sectors, industries, and individual stocks are performing:
- Color-coded for performance
- Drill down into sectors like tech, healthcare, and energy
- See winners and losers instantly
c. News Feed
Real-time headlines from:
- Bloomberg
- CNBC
- MarketWatch
- SEC filings
This feature helps track market sentiment and breaking news.
d. Charts and Technicals
Finviz provides:
- Candlestick charts
- Technical indicators (MACD, Bollinger Bands, etc.)
- Trendline patterns
Great for technical traders and analysts.
e. Insider Trading Data
View buying and selling activity from:
- CEOs, CFOs, and board members
- Institutional transactions
- SEC Form 4 filings
This is useful for sentiment confirmation.
How to Use the Finviz Stock Screener
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Navigate to the Screener Tab
Visit https://finviz.com/screener.ashx and click on the “Screener” tab.
Step 2: Choose Screener Type
Select from the 3 main tabs:
- Descriptive
- Fundamental
- Technical
Each category offers a wide array of filters.
Step 3: Apply Filters
For example:
- Market Cap > $2B
- Price > $20
- EPS growth past 5 years > 10%
- RSI (14) < 40 (indicates oversold)
You can save your screener for future use if you have a Finviz Elite subscription.
Step 4: Analyze Results
You’ll get a list of stocks that meet your criteria. Analyze charts, financials, and news to pick potential winners.
Step 5: Export or Watchlist
Free users can view results on-screen, while Elite users can export to CSV or set alerts.
Free vs Finviz Elite: Which One is Right for You?
Finviz Free
Pros:
- No account required
- Full access to screener
- Basic charts and delayed quotes
Cons:
- Delayed data (15-minute lag)
- No real-time backtesting
- No advanced charting
Finviz Elite
Price: ~$39.50/month or $299.50/year
Benefits:
- Real-time data and premarket updates
- Advanced chart overlays
- Custom alerts and portfolios
- Correlation charts
- Export screener data
- Up to 100 screener presets
Is it worth it?
For active traders, Finviz Elite can be a game-changer. If you rely on real-time decision-making and backtesting, it’s a smart investment.
