Once you have your first investing app set up, the next step is learning how to actually research and analyze investments. This is where charting and research tools come in. They help you look beyond the price of a stock and understand the story behind it — how it has performed over time, how it compares to others, and what is happening in the wider market. For a beginner, these tools can feel intimidating at first, but the core ideas are simpler than they look.
In this guide, we will break down the main types of charting and research tools every new investor should know, explain what each one is used for, and show you when you would reach for them. If you are still getting comfortable with the fundamentals, our guide on what a stock actually is is a great place to start first.
Why Research Tools Matter for Beginners
Investing without research is a bit like driving with your eyes closed. Research tools give you the information you need to make calm, informed decisions rather than emotional ones. They will not tell you exactly what to buy, but they will help you understand what you are buying and why. Used well, they support the kind of patient, principle-based approach we describe in our article on investing principles every beginner should know.
1. Charting Platforms
A charting platform lets you visualize how the price of a stock, ETF, or cryptocurrency has moved over time. As a beginner, you do not need to master complex technical indicators. Start simple: learn to read a basic price chart, adjust the time frame from days to years, and notice long-term trends rather than daily noise. Seeing how prices behave over months and years is one of the best ways to build an intuition for the market.
2. Stock Screeners
A stock screener is a filtering tool that helps you find investments that match certain criteria — for example, companies of a certain size, in a particular industry, or paying a dividend. Screeners are useful once you know what you are looking for, because they turn thousands of possibilities into a manageable shortlist. For a beginner, a screener is best used to explore and learn rather than to chase quick picks.
3. Company Research and Fundamentals Tools
Fundamentals tools show you the financial health of a company: its revenue, profits, debt, and other key figures. These help answer the important question of whether a business is actually doing well, not just whether its share price is rising. Learning to read a few basic fundamentals will make you a far more confident investor and help you avoid buying into hype.
4. Economic Calendars and Market News Tools
Markets react to events — interest rate decisions, earnings reports, and economic data releases. An economic calendar shows you when these events are scheduled, so nothing catches you by surprise. Pairing a calendar with reliable market news helps you understand why prices are moving. This context is especially valuable during turbulent periods, which we explain in our guide to understanding market volatility.
5. Comparison and Portfolio Analysis Tools
Comparison tools let you line up two or more investments side by side to see how they stack up on performance, cost, and risk. Portfolio analysis tools do something similar for your own holdings, showing how well diversified you are and where you might be overexposed. These tools are particularly helpful when you are weighing different options, such as choosing between funds — something we touch on in our guide to investing in gold ETFs.
How to Use These Tools Without Getting Overwhelmed
It is easy to feel buried under charts and data, so start small. Pick one charting tool and one news source, and get comfortable with them before adding anything else. Focus on understanding long-term trends and the basics of a company rather than trying to predict short-term moves. Remember that these tools are there to support your judgment, not replace it — the goal is to become a calmer, better-informed investor over time.
The Bottom Line
Charting and research tools are what turn a curious beginner into a confident investor. You do not need to use all of them at once, and you certainly do not need to become an expert overnight. Learn one tool at a time, keep your focus on the long term, and let the data inform your decisions rather than drive your emotions.
For a starting point, explore our roundup of the top free tools every beginner investor should use.
Izhaq Shah is the founder of GetIntoMarkets. He holds a Master’s in Finance and Commerce, with over 10 years in the financial industry and 15 years of writing experience. He makes investing in stocks, ETFs and crypto simple and practical for everyday people building wealth with confidence.