Practical Tools for DIY Investors Without Paying Too Early
Purpose of This Page
This page helps Indian investors understand which free stock screeners are actually useful, what each one is best at, and how to use them without relying on paid upgrades prematurely.
Free screeners are powerful enough for:
- Learning analysis
- Building watchlists
- Filtering weak companies
You don’t need paid tools to invest sensibly.
What “Free” Really Means in Screeners
Most free screeners offer:
- Core financial data
- Basic filters
- Limited customization
Paid plans usually add:
- Advanced filters
- Saved screens
- Alerts or exports
👉 For most long-term investors, free versions are sufficient.
Who Should Use Free Stock Screeners
Ideal for:
- Beginners learning fundamentals
- Long-term investors building watchlists
- DIY investors reviewing portfolios
- Investors analysing sectors
You may need paid tools only if:
- You screen daily
- You run complex strategies
- You trade actively
Top Free Stock Screeners Used in India
Below are reliable, widely used platforms, with honest strengths and limits.
🔹 Screener.in
Best for: Fundamental analysis (long-term investing)
What It Does Well
- Clean, India-specific financial data
- Custom fundamental filters
- Historical financial statements
- Ratio-based screening
Free Version Limitations
- No technical filters
- No alerts
- Manual interpretation required
Best Use Case
👉 Filtering quality businesses before deeper analysis.
🔹 Tickertape
Best for: Beginner-friendly screening
What It Does Well
- Simple filters and visual indicators
- Valuation & growth snapshots
- Portfolio insights
Free Version Limitations
- Limited advanced filters
- Some metrics locked behind paywall
Best Use Case
👉 First screener for beginners and quick comparisons.
🔹 TradingView Screener
🔗 https://in.tradingview.com/screener/
Best for: Technical & hybrid screening
What It Does Well
- Price-based filters
- Volume and trend screeners
- Real-time data
Free Version Limitations
- Fundamentals are basic
- Limited saved layouts
Best Use Case
👉 Trend awareness and timing support.
🔹 NSE India (Data Reference)
Best for: Official market data
What It Does Well
- Sectoral data
- Financial statistics
- Corporate information
Limitations
- No customizable screening
- Not user-friendly
👉 Use as a data source, not a screener.
Simple Screener Use Cases (Free Tools Only)
Example 1: Basic Quality Filter (Screener.in)
- ROCE > 15%
- Debt to Equity < 0.5
- Positive profit growth (5 years)
👉 Shortlist financially stable companies.
Example 2: Beginner Watchlist (Tickertape)
- Market cap > ₹3,000 Cr
- Revenue growth positive
- Valuation not extreme
👉 Build a learning-focused watchlist.
Example 3: Trend Filter (TradingView)
- Price above 200 DMA
- Volume above average
👉 Avoid structurally weak stocks during market corrections.
How to Combine Free Screeners (Smart Approach)
A practical workflow:
1️⃣ Use Screener.in → business quality
2️⃣ Use Tickertape → quick validation
3️⃣ Use TradingView → trend awareness
4️⃣ Add to watchlist, not portfolio
👉 Multiple free tools > one paid tool (initially).
Common Mistakes Investors Make
- Copying “popular” screens blindly
- Using too many filters
- Treating screener output as buy signals
- Ignoring business understanding
- Paying too early for tools
👉 Screeners filter stocks, not risk.
When Should You Consider Paid Screeners?
Only when:
- You screen very frequently
- You need automation
- You understand exactly what feature you’re paying for
Until then, free tools are enough.
Free screeners support better decisions, not faster decisions.
Disclaimer
Samnidhi Insights does not recommend stocks or platforms.
All examples are for educational understanding only.
Next Steps
Explore related topics:
- Financial Ratios Explained (ROE, ROCE, Debt)
- Sector Analysis Tools for Indian Markets
- Portfolio Review Checklist