IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

The Motley Fool Review for 2026: A Worthwhile Stock Advisor Service

Advertiser Disclosure
Written By
G. Dautovic
Updated
April 28, 2026
Some or all of the products/services listed on this page are from our affiliate partners from which we receive commissions. This, however, does not influence the evaluations in our reviews. Learn more by reading our Advertiser Disclosure.

The Motley Fool is a financial services company that provides investment and stock analysis to individual investors. The company was founded in 1993 and has become one of the most well-known and respected names in the financial world.

Starts at $99*
Auto renews at then-current list price.
Service pricing range:
$99-$499

Text and email stock alerts available

Starts at $99*
Auto renews at then-current list price.

Fortunly Rating

Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.

20-YEAR AVERAGE RETURN:
956%*
STOCK TRADING:
No
BBB RATING:
B (not accredited)
MOBILE APP:
Yes
PICK FREQUENCY:
2 new stock picks per month
PORTFOLIO GUIDANCE:
Yes
MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE:
30 days
AUTO-RENEWAL:
Yes
pros thumb up Strengths
  • Long track record of outperforming the market
  • Email and mobile alerts are available
  • Access to complete history of previous picks
  • Long-term investments
  • Tons of premium content
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
pros thumb up Weaknesses
  • Fragmented premium services offerings
  • Higher-tier memberships get expensive quickly

*$99 is an introductory price for new members only. 55% discount based on current list price of Stock Advisor of $199/year. Membership will renew annually at the then-current list price.

**Motley Fool Stock Advisor returns are 924% as compared to the S&P 500 returns of 175% as of February 2025. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Individual investment results may vary. All investing involves risk of loss.

Motley Fool Overview

The Motley Fool is an American multimedia financial company that provides financial guidance, investment analysis, and stock recommendations to individual investors. The company, based in Alexandria, Virginia, was founded by brothers David and Tom Gardner and is now one of the most popular stock research platforms and online financial information sources.

The Motley Fool’s website offers a variety of articles and resources on topics ranging from stock picking to retirement planning. In addition, the company also offers subscription-based services that provide access to additional stock recommendations and investment analysis.

Whether you’re a novice investor or a seasoned pro, The Motley Fool can provide you with the information and tools you need to achieve your financial goals.

How The Motley Fool Compares to Other Stock Picking Services

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Logo
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor
Price

$199 annually

20-year average return

956%*

Mindful Trader Logo
Mindful Trader
Price

$47 monthly

Annual average return

141% backtested

Zacks Premium Logo
Zacks Premium
Price

$249 annually

Annual average return

Not clearly stated

*Motley Fool Stock Advisor returns are 956% as compared to the S&P 500 returns of 192% as of March 10, 2026. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Individual investment results may vary. All investing involves risk of loss.

Available Services

The Motley Fool offers various services geared toward helping investors make smarter decisions with their money. Its flagship service is the Stock Advisor, which provides subscribers with two stock recommendations each month.

Apart from Stock Advisor, The Motley Fool’s main premium lineup now prominently includes Epic, Epic Plus, Fool Portfolios, and Fool One - we’ll review the most relevant currently listed offers in this article.

In addition to stock recommendations, The Motley Fool offers other investing resources such as analyst reports, newsletters, and educational articles.

According to The Motley Fool’s experts, selecting 50 stocks to invest in and holding them for at least five years is recommended. In the end, it’s all up to you and your level of dedication; there isn’t an ideal number of stocks to hold.

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor, which made its debut in 2002, is the company’s flagship investment service. This subscription-based online service offers stock recommendations and other investing guidance, and it is one of the best stock picking services we found.

Customers who subscribe to the service receive two stock recommendations each month and a host of other investing resources.

In addition to the stock picks, subscribers get portfolio guidance, market news, analyst insights, company research, and access to tools such as My Stocks, risk-tolerance-based portfolio strategies, and Fool IQ research features.

This service includes the following features:

  • Two new stock recommendations each month: Receive the most recent stock picks from The Motley Fool every month.
  • Best current deals: The service highlights top stocks to buy now alongside its monthly recommendations.
  • Community and investment resources: Subscribers also get market coverage, analyst insights, and portfolio tools designed to support long-term investors.
  • Starter stocks: Stocks that every investor, novice or seasoned, should own.

*$99 for the first year, with renewal at the then-current list price. Introductory promotion for new members only. The current list price shown publicly for Stock Advisor is $199/year.

Motley Fool Epic Bundle

Motley Fool Epic is positioned as a broader portfolio-guidance membership that includes more monthly stock recommendations, expanded research tools, and access to additional scorecards beyond Stock Advisor.

The service is specifically designed as an investment strategy for those who regularly add new money to their brokerage accounts and are interested in learning about investing.

Our Verdict

When managing your money, it’s best to diversify your holdings. The Motley Fool is a reputable company that can assist you in this endeavor with its various services and portfolios. Its Stock Advisor is an excellent choice for investors looking for actionable guidance and an engaged community.

Its broader premium lineup also gives more advanced investors room to move up into higher-tier research and portfolio tools, though the jump in price beyond Stock Advisor is substantial.

Its subscription services are reasonably priced, and some premium offers come with a membership-fee back guarantee. The Motley Fool’s guidance is actionable and backed by experts. Overall, this financial company is an excellent choice for investors looking for help with their finances.

That said, the best fit is long-term, self-directed investors who want research and recommendations rather than a trading platform or hands-on portfolio management.

FAQ

Is Motley Fool Stock Advisor worth it?

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Motley Fool Stock Advisor can be worth it for long-term, self-directed investors who want stock ideas, research, and portfolio guidance rather than a brokerage account or active trading platform. The service is built around monthly stock picks and long holding periods, so it fits buy-and-hold investors better than short-term traders.

Does Motley Fool offer a refund?

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Yes, some Motley Fool premium services include a 30-day membership fee refund policy. Stock Advisor’s public sales page says you can cancel within 30 days and receive your membership fee back, though terms can vary by service or promotional offer.

Is Motley Fool legit?

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Yes, The Motley Fool is a long-running financial publisher and investment-research company founded in 1993. Its premium products are research subscriptions, not brokerage accounts or wealth-management services.