29 Free Research Tools

I’ve tested hundreds of research tools over the years.

Most aren’t worth your time.

But these 29? They’re different. They’re the ones I actually use every day.

Best part? They’re all free.

Overview

Before we dive deep into them, here’s the full list.

Search & Information Tools

Google Advanced Search

This isn’t your regular Google search. Use filters like “filetype:pdf site:.gov” with company names. You’ll find documents most investors miss completely.

SEC Full-Text Search

Twenty years of SEC filings at your fingertips. I use this to track specific terms or people across multiple companies.

PCAOB Auditor Search

Want to know if you can trust a company’s numbers? Check their auditor’s track record here. The real gold is in finding who specifically signs off on the audits.

Wayback Machine

Think of it as a time machine for websites. Perfect for catching companies that try to rewrite their history.

Webpage Archive

My go-to for archiving media articles. It’s faster than Wayback and catches those sneaky post-publication edits.

Perplexity AI

When Google hits a wall, this AI often finds answers. It’s surprisingly good at connecting dots in company research.

Document Analysis

Diffchecker

I use this to spot changes in company documents. Risk factors suddenly changing? This tool shows you exactly what’s different.

IBorrowDesk

Essential for understanding short-selling pressure. Shows you borrow rates and availability in real-time.

Social Media Intelligence

SocialBlade

Track a company’s social media growth. Great for spotting fake follower purchases or declining engagement.

Glassdoor

Don’t just skim the recent reviews. Go back in time and look for patterns. Clustered reviews on a single day? That’s a red flag.

BBB

The Better Business Bureau catches problems early. Their public alerts have saved me from several bad investments.

SiteJabber

Consumer reviews for online businesses. I use it to spot emerging problems with e-commerce companies.

TrustPilot

Another solid review site. Great for cross-referencing with other sources to verify complaints.

Legal & Domain Research

ReverseWHOIS

Find all websites registered to a company. It’s shocking what you can learn about a business from their forgotten domains.

PACER

Every federal lawsuit is here. Yes, it costs money, but the information can be priceless.

Court Listener

Free legal research. I use it to find precedents that might affect current cases.

Investment Community Insights

Hacker News

Silicon Valley’s water cooler. Search any tech company here to see what insiders really think.

10x EBITDA

A goldmine of activist investor presentations. Learn how the pros tear apart companies.

X/Twitter

Filter by people you follow and search by ticker. It’s like having hundreds of analysts working for you.

SEC & Market Research

SEC Comment Letters

Search for “CORRESP” or “UPLOAD” in EDGAR. These letters often reveal problems before they’re public.

Google Alerts

Set it and forget it. Get emails when news breaks about your companies.

Google Trends

Track search interest over time. Great for spotting dying brands before the market does.

Social Platforms

Don’t dismiss it. Some of the best industry intel comes from verified employees here.

TikTok

Want to know if young people actually use a product? This is where you’ll find out.

Check employee backgrounds and connections. A CFO with sketchy credentials? That’s an immediate red flag.

Additional Resources

Value Investors Club

The quality varies, but some write-ups are incredible. Free access after a delay.

ImportYeti

70 million shipping records. Perfect for supply chain research.

YouTube Stock Promotion Investigation

Search for “The Sketchy Companies Paying YouTubers to Promote Their Stock.” Eye-opening look at stock promotion schemes.

Alta Fox Capital Case Study

Look up “The Makings of a Multibagger.” It analyzes 104 stocks that went up 10x or more.

Conclusion

These tools are powerful, but they’re just tools.

The real value comes from using them systematically and cross-referencing what you find.

Start with 2-3 that match your investment style. Master those first.