Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about IndexAlpha.

Answers to the most common questions about IndexAlpha — what it is, whether it is free, how accurate the data is, and how to get started. If your question is not here, email hello@indexalpha.ai — we respond within 24 hours.

Key Takeaways

What is IndexAlpha?

IndexAlpha is a free AI-powered financial research tool built for everyday investors. It combines stock research (fundamental and valuation analysis), portfolio risk testing (historical stress tests), and a conversational AI chat for market questions. On the product itself, these three features show up as the main tabs in the navigation: Stock Research, Portfolio Risk, and AI Chat.

How does it work?

Step 1: Open the site

Go to indexalpha.ai in any web browser. No app install, no sign-up to get started.

Step 2: Try a tool

The three main tools are Stock Research, Portfolio Risk, and AI Chat. Each one has a sample you can try without entering any data.

Step 3: Sign up when you want to save

Create a free account only when you want to save a portfolio, build a watchlist, or get more AI chat credits per day.

Common questions

What is IndexAlpha?

A free AI stock research and portfolio risk tool. Research any stock, test your portfolio against a market crash, and ask questions about investing in plain English. No finance degree required.

Is IndexAlpha free?

Yes. Free to start, no credit card required. Stock research and AI chat are free to use (the chat has a generous daily credit limit). Paid plans remove the limit and unlock deeper analysis.

Do I need an account?

Not to use stock research or AI chat. You only need an account to save watchlists and portfolios.

Is it investment advice?

No. IndexAlpha is a research tool, not personalized financial advice. We are not a registered financial advisor. For advice specific to your situation, talk to a licensed professional.

How often is the data updated?

Stock prices update during market hours. Company fundamentals refresh within 24 hours of each quarterly earnings release (about 4 times per year per stock). Scores recalculate daily before US market open.

How much could I lose in a market crash?

IndexAlpha shows you a specific dollar amount for your exact portfolio. For example, in a 2008-style crash, a $50,000 stock portfolio could fall to about $21,500 and take 49 months to recover. The Federal Reserve's historical S&P 500 data backs the calculation.

What about COVID?

The 2020 COVID crash was a 34% drop in 33 days, with recovery in about 5 months — much faster than 2008 and much faster than most crashes in history.

Is it an alternative to Bloomberg Terminal?

Yes, for retail investors. Bloomberg Terminal costs $24,000+ per year and is built for professional traders. IndexAlpha gives everyday investors the core analysis — stock research, risk metrics, news — for free, in plain English.

What stocks are covered?

6,000+ stocks on 7 major global exchanges: NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE (London), ASX (Sydney), TSE (Tokyo), HKEX (Hong Kong), SGX (Singapore), and TSX (Toronto).

Is my data secure?

Yes. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest on Google Cloud. We never sell your data. You can delete your account and all associated data at any time.

How does IndexAlpha compare to other research tools?

If you are comparing IndexAlpha to free tools like Yahoo Finance or Google Finance, the core difference is integration: instead of separate tabs for news, quotes, and research, IndexAlpha combines them with AI explanation. If comparing to paid tools like Morningstar Premium or Bloomberg, IndexAlpha's advantage is cost (free) and language (plain English, not terminal jargon). The CFPB's investing resources remain the best government-run reference if you want zero-opinion, regulated content.

Who is this for?

Beginners: If you are new to investing, start with the AI chat. Ask "What's a stock?" or "Should I invest in the S&P 500?" and work from there. You do not need to create an account.

Intermediate investors: If you already invest, the portfolio risk tool is the fastest way to see if your holdings have hidden concentration. The stock research tool is most useful as a second opinion before adding a new position.

Sources