Home » Service Reviews » Motley Fool Review

Motley Fool Review – Is the Stock Advisor Program Worth the Money?

By Dave

Last Updated

Motley Fool Review

Advertising Disclosure

Motley Fool Review

  • Value
  • Quality of Research
  • Track Record
  • Credibility
  • Quality of Stock Picks
4.4

Summary

In this Motley Fool review, we do an in-depth analysis of the Stock Advisor service. The Motley Fool is arguably one of the most well-known online stock advisor programs. The company has been around for over 25 years and remains one of the most trusted names in the industry. The question is – should you shell out your hard-earned cash for their research?

About Motley Fool

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor is the flagship stock-picking newsletter published by investment advisory giant, The Motley Fool. This is easily one of the most well-known stock picking services in existence. You’ve probably heard of The Motley Fool in some form or another – whether it was an internet advertisement, word-of-mouth, or personal experience. In this review, we are going to provide an in-depth look at the Motley Fool’s premium stock picking service to see if it lives up to the hype.

Our Motley Fool Review will look at the monthly newsletter service that is run by the company’s co-founders, David Gardner and Tom Gardner. The Gardner brothers have been beating the stock market for over ten years using their “foolish” investing strategy. How do they do it?

The Stock Advisor investment service helps investors beat the market by providing them with access to better stock picks. Motley Fool’s team researches investments and offers stock recommendations to its subscribers.

Since the program’s launch in 2002, the Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor recommendations have generated 400% in returns (as of April 2023). These returns are highly impressive when compared to the broader market returns over the same period. Investing in the Fool’s stock picks would have generated over 3X the returns of merely investing in the S&P 500. This means a $10,000 investment would have yielded close to an extra $30,000. The company’s track record is even more impressive when compared to the performances of mutual funds over the same period.

Of course, we needed to do our research to make sure the Motley Fool was legit. We did an in-depth analysis of the company and its offerings. Want to know whether or not you should pay for a membership? Stay tuned for some revealing insights. We’ve reviewed over 300 financial services, and this one was very interesting.

Our Motley Fool review will help you determine if the Stock Advisor program is a good fit for you. Feel free to jump around to the sections that are most relevant to you.

Features Monthly stock picks, starter stocks, investing education
Performance 4X the Returns of the S&P 500
Pricing $199/year
Discounts New Member Special Rate
Founded 1993
‍♂️ Key People Tom and David Gardner

History of The Motley Fool

Before we get to the results of our review, it can help to understand the company’s history. If you’re anything like me, you like to know who you are trusting for investment advice. I want to know that I am getting stock advice from advisers that are credible and have a proven track record.

Motley Fool isn’t just another “pop-up” investing service that you see advertised on your Facebook newsfeed or advertised on a financial news site. This stock picking service and its founders have a rich history.

The Motley Fool was founded in 1993 by Tom and David Gardner. The Gardner brothers shared their investment ideas on message boards and online publications.

They used a unique blend of humor and humility to showcase the research they used to discover undervalued stocks. Their refreshing approach to investing helped them grow a community of like-minded followers (aka “fools”).

The Fool’s goal was and is to empower retail investors to outperform Wall Street analysts and professionals.

In 1997, the company launched its official investing website at fool.com.

As the Motley Fool website grew in popularity, the team continued to expand its offerings. The Gardner brothers published many New York Times Bestsellers, syndicated newspapers, radio shows, and live podcasts.

Money management and investing services were launched, including “Real Money Portfolio,” which enabled subscribers to track the trades of real-money portfolios and in-house mutual funds managed by the firm. The Gardner brothers brought a refreshing element of transparency to the finance industry, and Motley Fool quickly became a leader in investing and personal finance.

All of this goes to show that the Motley Fool is a well-established investment research company with proven results.

We’ve reviewed many of the company’s premium services, and we still believe the Motley Fool Stock Advisor is the best offering. Continue reading our review to see why.

Motley Fool Stock Advisor Review

 

What is The Stock Advisor Program?

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor is a simple program that offers stock picks to members. There are no fancy pitches or complicated schemes.  As a Motley Fool subscriber, you get stock picks that are expected to outperform the market – simple as that. Members get two new stock picks per month, as well as a list of the best buying opportunities at any given moment.

The program’s founders, Tom and David Gardner, wanted to make it super easy for beginner investors to achieve the same returns as Wall Street fat cats.

The goal of the program is simple: help average investors beat the market by providing them with the best research reports and stock recommendations. While investing may seem complicated, it doesn’t need to be. You simply need to know which stocks to buy and when.

What Do Stock Advisor Members Get?

New members have access to many investment resources, but the stock picks are the star of the service. When you sign up, you get instant access to a few different types of stock picks, including:

  • 2 new stock picks every month
  • Access to stock rankings and recommendations

Let’s take a closer look at each of these groups.

Two New Stock Picks Every Month

Stock Advisor members get two new stock picks per month. Every stock recommendation comes with an in-depth research report that explains the rationale behind the endorsement.

Motley Fool new Stock Pick

Members also have access to a record of every recommendation the company has ever made. The information is laid out clearly in a table so members can see how past recommendations have performed.

Motley Fool offers full transparency by showing its track record of both winning and losing investments.

You can comb through the list of previous recommendations to find stock picks that are still relevant today. This is a great way to get more value out of the membership if you are looking for more than two investment ideas every month. I’ve personally found some great investment opportunities by reviewing historical picks. This approach is particularly beneficial when the market is in a correction period. You can often find past picks that are available for a “discount” due to a recent drop in the market.

Motley Fool Past Stock Picks

Stock Recommendations

If you are new to investing, the Motley Fool team recommends building a portfolio of 25 stocks that you plan to hold for at least 5 years. If you already have an established portfolio, you can continue to add new stocks as the Motley Fool analysts make new stock picks every month.

When we first reviewed the Motley Fool Stock Advisor service, the company grouped recommendations by “Starter Stocks” and “Best Stocks to Buy Now.” “Starter Stocks” were stocks that served as a strong foundation for a new portfolio and “Best Stocks to Buy Now” were stocks that presented good buying opportunities.

While Motley Fool still advocates for diversification, they have since simplified their approach in a way that makes the service easier to use and more useful.

Stock recommendations are now split into two categories:

  1. Top 10 Rankings
  2. Recommendation Screener

The Top 10 Rankings show the 10 best stocks to buy. The list is updated over time based on the recommendations of Motley Fool’s analysts. The Top 10 Rankings is a good starting point for investors who want to start building a diversified portfolio.

The Recommendation Screener allows members to view all of Motley Fool’s stock recommendations (assuming the recommendation is still in play).

Motley Fool Recommendations Screener

Recommendations can be sorted by a variety of criteria, including:

  • Motley Fool’s Rank
  • Market Cap
  • Time of Recommendation
  • Dividend Yield
  • P/E Ratio
  • Revenue Growth
  • 1-Year Return
  • 5-Year Return
  • And more

The Recommendation Screener is beneficial for both new/casual investors and experienced investors. New investors can find vetted stock picks to add to their portfolios, and experienced investors can use the screener for idea generation.

While Motley Fool offers 2 new stock picks every month, the Recommendation Screener provides over 180 recommendations (at the time of writing).

What is Motley Fool’s Investment Style?

The Stock Advisor newsletter is a long-term, buy-and-hold service catering to investors with a long-term outlook. The stock recommendations are based on the analysis of companies, management teams, industries, and other factors that help the team uncover high-growth stocks. Many of the recommendations are for blue-chip stocks in the technology industry.

Subscribers get stock recommendations from Motley Fool’s team of analysts.

Stock recommendation alerts are sent by email and accompanied by a research report. Each report explains why the stock was recommended, the best price to buy, and when to consider selling. The report includes a summary as well as in-depth research

Motley Fool Research Report

The research explains why the recommendation was made and how the stock stands out from its peers. The company also lists the potential risks that would warrant selling the position.

The research is excellent, and the track record speaks for itself. It’s clear that the team understands that investing in the stock market can be intimidating for new investors, and the reports are written in a way that is easy to understand.

Wondering if this stock picking service aligns with your investment strategy?

Here is the investment profile that the Motley Fool Stock Advisor is best for:

  • Long-term investors (buy and hold for 5+ years)
  • Investors who prefer individual stocks to mutual funds
  • Investors looking to beat the market
  • Investors who want to add new equities to their portfolios monthly or annually

The service is an excellent fit for anyone who wants to rely on proven investment advice to beat the market.

New Member Special

Get Stock Advisor for Only $99 for Your First Year

(regularly $199)

Motley Fool Stock Picks & Performance

We’ve had a lot of people reach out and ask us to reveal some of the specific stock picks since our initial Motley Fool review. In fairness to the company and the paying subscribers, we can’t release any of the recent stock picks, but we can share some of the recommendations from the past.

Here’s a look at the performance of the 24 stocks recommended in 2020:

Motley Fool 2020 Stock Pick Performance

Here’s a look at the performance of the stock picks made in 2019:

Motley Fool 2019 Stock Pick Performance

Motley Fool no longer provides the past performance table in the same format as they did at the time of our initial review, so we do not have the same charts for 2021 and 2022.

That said, below is the performance of all of the picks from 2023 so far (stock tickers blurred out of respect for the company and paying subscribers). We also included SPY as a benchmark to represent the performance of these stock picks relative to the S&P 500.

The Motley Fool stock picks are off to a strong start in 2023, with an average return of 23%, compared to 8% for the S&P 500 (as of April 2023).

As paying subscribers of Motley Fool Stock Advisor, we noticed something interesting. When the market performs well, Motley Fool’s stock picks perform exceptionally well. When the market is weak, Motley Fool’s stock picks can be more volatile than the market itself. This is due to the nature of these growth stocks and is part of the reason why The Motley Fool advocates for a 5+ year holding period and portfolio diversification. The market always performs better over longer time horizons, and Motley Fool’s stock picks can be used to leverage your returns over time.

To date, subscribers have received hundreds of recommendations (two per month). These can best be categorized into three different types of recommendations based on how the stocks performed from the date of the recommendation.

  1. “Home Run” Picks
  2. “Beat the Market” Stocks
  3. Duds

What we are dubbing “home run picks” are the stocks that have provided phenomenal returns. These are the recommendations that had the potential to provide life-changing returns. Here are some examples of stocks that provided returns exceptional returns (6,000% – 25,000%):

Motley Fool Best Stock Picks

A handful of picks have achieved these types of results, but you should be realistic in your expectations. If you get one of these every 1-2 years, your portfolio will be in excellent shape. The goal of the service is to help you build a diversified stock portfolio, so you shouldn’t expect to get rich off of a single stock recommendation.

The more common group of stock picks is what we’ve dubbed “beat the market stocks.” These are the bread-and-butter of the subscription service. These are the stocks that outperform the overall stock market by a considerable margin and make for a well-diversified portfolio. Here are some examples from 2018:

Motley Fool Stock Recommendations

All of these stocks have impressive returns and have outperformed the S&P 500 by a considerable margin. These investments would beat most mutual funds and ETF’s, which is one of the main reasons I’ve been using Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor service for so long.

Of course, not every recommendation is a winner, but the winning picks far outnumber the losing picks. If you want to start investing in the stock market, you should have some type of “risk management” plan in place before you get started. How much money are you willing to risk? When will you cut losing positions?

While it’s pretty easy to simply follow the Motley Fool stock picks, you should have a contingency plan in the event you invest in a stock that turns against you. For example, I personally like to cut my losses when I’m down 10% on a position (I can always repurchase the shares later if the stock looks bullish again). Conservative investors may cut losses at 5%, whereas investors who can stomach more risk may wait until 20-30%. It’s really up to your personal preferences, but you should always have some type of plan to mitigate risk. This allows you to maximize the upside potential while limiting the downside potential.

How Much Does Motley Fool Cost?

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor subscription costs $199 per year. The Stock Advisor subscription is currently on sale, and a yearly prepaid plan is available for $99 (for new members). The annual subscription is backed by a 30-day membership fee-back guarantee. If, for some reason, you are unhappy with the service, you can contact the customer service team within 30 days to get a full refund.

Motley Fool Pricing

Membership provides instant access to:

  • Two new monthly stock picks from Motley Fool’s team of analysts
  • The Top 10 Stock Rankings
  • The Recommendations Screener
  • A members-only community that allows community members to collaborate and connect with advisors
  • Full access to the investment library, which includes an archive of stock reports

Once again, membership is backed by a 30-day membership fee-back guarantee, so you don’t have much to lose. You can also cancel the service at any time. These types of guarantees are rare with investment newsletters since subscribers get instant access to valuable information. We respect that the company stands by the quality of its service.

Motley Fool Review – More Stock Advisor Benefits

Most subscribers sign up specifically for the stock picks. It’s a strong value proposition. For less than $10/month (with an annual subscription), you can get access to stock market picks that have the potential to return 100x your subscription cost. Better yet, these stocks outperform the market and help investors avoid mutual fund fees.

I believe the stock picks alone make the subscription worth it, but membership comes with a few additional benefits. New members will have access to some great resources from the start.

Investment Education

The members’ area provides access to some top-quality investment education and short lessons. Education is valuable for investors who want to learn more about personal finance and investing. While you may rely on financial advice and stock picks to build your stock portfolio, it can still be helpful to understand basic investing methodologies so you can feel more comfortable in the markets. If you are brand new to investing, it’s definitely worth checking out some of the resources and information the company provides.

Motley Fool Guide to Success

Stock Advisor Community

As a Stock Advisor subscriber, you have access to an online discussion board where they can discuss topics ranging from personal finance to the stock market.

Motley Fool Community

I was expecting this area to be relatively quiet, as I’ve seen many failed attempts to create message boards. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the discussion boards have a decent amount of activity.

They are not as active as InvestorsHub and other similar sites, but there are a handful of exciting conversations. This investment community offers a great way to connect with other investors, share ideas, and get answers to any questions you may have.

Motley Fool Special Reports

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor delivers a couple of stock recommendations every month. On top of that, the team will also issue special reports when there are unique opportunities in the market.

You’ve probably seen ads for Motley Fool’s double-down stock (or something similar). These reports are available to members of the Stock Advisor program. I really liked the fact that Motley Fool capitalized on short-term market trends. When there is a hot sector, it’s important to be “in the know” early, and the research reports give you early access to important information.

Motley Fool Special Reports

Is Motley Fool Trustworthy?

By this point in the Stock Advisor review, you should understand what the membership offers. The next obvious question is, “is the Motley Fool legit?”

The company is known for its bold marketing on social media and news sites, but do they deliver on what they promise?

We put them to the test with our rigorous screening process.

Here are a few things we took into consideration:

The Fool’s Track Record

The first point we analyzed during our Motley Fool review was the company’s track record. Past performance is the most important metric to look at when examining any investment research firm. We wanted to see if the team delivered on its promise to outperform the market.

We are happy to report that the Motley Fool Stock Advisor program has an incredibly impressive track record. Motley Fool’s portfolio has been beating the S&P 500 since 2002. We spoke to a few investors who have been using the service for years and have achieved excellent results. Member reviews and feedback have been overwhelmingly positive.

You can find a record of the Fool’s performance on the chart below:

Motley Fool Performance

As you can see, The Stock Advisor picks beat the returns of the S&P 500 by identifying stocks and sectors that are outperforming. This performance is no small feat. An investment of $10,000 in 2002 would have returned an extra $200,000+ if invested in the program’s stock picks (easily justifying the $99 first-year membership fee).

This chart isn’t just for marketing purposes. Members can access the details of every stock pick and verify the performance of the program. Here are some interesting highlights from previous picks:

  • Over 100 stock picks have returned 100% or more
  • The Amazon recommendation is up over 17,000%
  • The Disney Recommendation is up over 6,000%
  • The Netflix Recommendation is up over 19,000%

Here are the returns of the all-time best picks:

Motley Fool Best Stock Picks

Here are the returns of the best picks in the past five years:

Motley Fool Best Recent Stock Picks

Of course, returns of 10x+ are the outliers, and we wanted to take a look at the company’s overall performance. This leads to our review of the program’s transparency.

Transparency

The members’ area includes a record of Motley Fool’s active recommendations. The list includes stock recommendations, the rationale behind the recommendations, and the performance of the Stock Advisor picks.

You can click on a stock ticker to get more information about the recommendation, including the dates of the recommendations (whether favorable or not).

Motley Fool Buy Recommendations

In the spirit of full transparency, this list includes both winners and losers. Since its inception, here are the returns (as of April 2023):

  • Stock Advisor Returns: 404%
  • S&P 500 (for comparison): 121%

Stock Advisor’s picks outperform the market by a considerable margin.

I highly recommend reviewing the previous picks so you can better understand how Motley Fool’s stock picks perform in the long run. You may also find a few stocks that are still great buys.

Quality of Investment Research

Motley Fool isn’t some “pump and dump” investment newsletter making manipulative stock recommendations. The company’s reputation depends on its performance, so the research needs to be top-notch. The Gardner brothers have been in this industry for decades, and they have a stellar reputation.

The stock research reports are thorough and unbiased. The reports don’t merely “hype” a stock; they present the full story and offer an in-depth analysis of the company being recommended. The reports include information on the companies’ performance, sector performance, upcoming catalysts, and the risk level of the recommendation. The reports even address counterarguments to the Fool’s judgment on the stock.

Some of the reports make recommendations for stocks you may be familiar with (such as FANG stocks that have been outperforming the market recently), while others uncover hidden gems. The reports are well-researched and thorough.

The authors will also add a disclaimer if anyone currently holds a position in the stock they recommend.

Furthermore, the team will issue reports and alerts when it is time to sell a stock.

Motley Fool Sell Recommendation

Shorter-Term Performance

There is one caveat worth noting.

Motley Fool’s stock picks perform well over long time periods (5+ years) in diversified portfolios (25+ stocks). The company does have losing picks, and even winning picks may perform poorly for periods of time.

For example, growth stocks declined considerably in 2022, with some dropping 50% or more. These stocks have started to rally in 2023, but they are still below their all-time high prices.

Take Tesla (TSLA) as an example.

Motley Fool’s initial recommendations have generated exceptional returns.

Motley Fool Tesla Recommendation

The more recent recommendations are currently down.

So, what does this mean, and what should members do?

First off, members should remember the time horizon of the investment. A stock may have a bad year and still beat the market over longer timeframes. If you are investing with a five or ten-year time horizon, you should not be worrying about short-term performance.

That said, it’s easy to get worried when you see your stocks drop in price. If this is the case for you, you have two options.

First, you can create your own rules for managing losses. For example, if you can’t stomach a loss greater than -10%, make it a rule to exit a position whenever you are down 10%. You can always buy back later. This is particularly important if you have a shorter-time investment timeframe and/or you are nearing retirement.

Second, if you are a more experienced investor, you can do your own research to determine the best entry points for your investment style. I will often use Motley Fool’s stock picks and research reports as a starting point for my own research instead of blindly following a buy recommendation. If I believe a stock is overvalued, I may wait for a better entry point.

Motley Fool recommends strong growth companies that are expected to perform well in the long-term.

New Member Special

Get Stock Advisor for Only $99 for Your First Year

(regularly $199)

What Type of Investor is Motley Fool Best For?

Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor is best suited for long-term investors who want to invest in individual stocks that will beat the market. Short-term investors and swing traders may also benefit from the monthly stock alerts as many of the recommended stocks are momentum picks that experienced rapid price appreciation. If you plan to trade a different time horizon than Motley Fool recommends, make sure you have your own game plan as well.

Motley Fool’s stock picks are intended to comprise a diversified portfolio of stocks that will be held for 5+ years.

When the market is strong, Motley Fool’s stock recommendations tend to perform well immediately.

When the market is weak, the picks will not always perform well right away.

Every investor appreciates immediate returns, but patience is key when investing with a long-term horizon. Whil

Here is the performance of stocks recommended in 2017:

Stock Advisor Stock Picks 2017

Here is the performance of stocks recommended ~10 years ago:

Stock Advisor Stock Picks 2012

Overall, the Motley Fool service is straightforward. It is appropriate for both new investors and experienced investors (especially those who want their research done for them). Motley Fool does a great job of identifying unique investment opportunities and providing high-quality research reports.

Most investors (both new and experienced) are looking for great stock picks and investment ideas, and that is precisely what you get when you sign up for a subscription.

Is the Stock Advisor Program a Good Value?

As part of our Motley Fool review, we wanted to discuss the value of the program. Many investment advisers offer great stock ideas at a premium. We’ve reviewed services that cost as much as $5,000/year. So, is Motley Fool worth the money?

At $99, it’s hard to go wrong with Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor. The investment research is high-quality, and you can recoup your subscription fee with a single stock recommendation. Subscribers get instant access to a wealth of resources that will help them achieve better returns. The Stock Advisor cost is one of the reasons it is so popular. As far as premium services go, $199/year ($99 for the first year) is very reasonable.

To put it in context, here are the potential returns an investor could achieve if they invested in all 24 of the stock picks made in 2020:

Motley Fool Stock Advisor Returns

Every month, the Motley Fool team continues to put out high-quality research reports packed with compelling ideas. Overall, this is a great service and great value. Plus, the subscription comes with a guarantee, so you can get your money back if you are unhappy within the first 30 days.

Stock Advisor vs. Rule Breakers

We’ve had a few readers ask about Motley Fool’s other offerings.

The company offers a handful of premium investment services, but the two most popular are Stock Advisor and Rule Breakers. Anyone researching the best stock picking services is likely to narrow their decision down to these two options.

The Stock Advisor program is the flagship offering. The Stock Advisor program has been around longer than Rule Breakers, and it seems the be the primary focus of the company’s marketing. If you want to simplify your decision, choose the Stock Advisor program.

Both programs have very similar offerings, and the members’ areas are almost identical. The main difference between the plans is the type of stock picks. Stock Advisor makes stock recommendations using the Fool’s core investment methodology.

Rule Breakers utilizes an investment methodology that is primarily focused on finding high-growth companies. The picks are explicitly chosen with business growth in mind. You can read our full Rule Breakers review for more details, but our recommendation is simple.

If you’re new to investing and only going to choose one program, select the Stock Advisor. The Stock Advisor will help you build your portfolio with stocks that are expected to beat the market. If you already have a starter portfolio and you’re looking to diversify, join the Rule Breakers program.

The programs work very well together, especially for investors who are looking to build a portfolio with more than a few hot stock picks. There’s almost no overlap in stock recommendations between the programs.

Rule Breakers can help you diversify with growth investments.

Common Questions About the Stock Advisor Program

How Does the Stock Advisor service differ from other Motley Fool services?

During our Motley Fool Stock Advisor review, we analyzed a few of their investment programs ranging from Rule Your Retirement to specialized stock picking services. The Motley Fool services are all high-quality (each with its own benefits). That said,  the Stock Advisor service is the flagship offering. The stock picks provided by this advisory service are chosen using the investing methodology that made the Fool famous.

The team offers a range of other subscriptions that utilize different methodologies. For example, “Rule Your Retirement” is focused on retirement advice, whereas “Rule Breakers” focuses on riskier growth stocks that are best for longer-term “buy and hold” investors. Motley Fool Augmented Reality is focused entirely on the AR sector.

Motley Fool Everlasting Portfolio is a good program for investors with bigger portfolios, and Motley Fool Options is a good choice for options traders. That said, these services are much more expensive.

We recommend getting started with Stock Advisor and taking things from there. If you would like to get more Motley Fool stock picks after subscribing, you can take a look at the company’s other services or bundle multiple services with Motley Fool Epic Bundle.

How Much Time Do I Need to Commit to Use the Service?

The goal of the Stock Advisor program is to simplify your investing strategy. The company claims that you only need to commit 5 minutes each month to tune up your portfolio (i.e., invest in new picks, take profits, and cut losses when applicable). Personally, I spend a bit more time because I like to be hands-on with my investing. I usually spend about 30-60 minutes analyzing each new report, doing my own research, and adjusting my portfolio accordingly.

What is Motley Fool’s Double Down Stock?

We cannot give this answer away since Motley Fool’s double-down stock pick is available for paying members. What we can say is this – don’t get caught up in the hype. The Stock Adviser program offers a ton of great stock picks every year. As a member, you will get instant access to a wealth of resources that will help improve your investment returns.

You may see advertisements for double down stocks, triple down stocks, ultimate buy alerts, mini Berkshire, and more. While these ads may seem enticing, you do not need to sign up for a single stock pick. You are paying for a bunch of great stock picks. The company has provided excellent stock picks and financial advice for almost two decades. There will be plenty of opportunities for members every year.

How Much Money Do You Need to Use the Service?

While you don’t need a specific amount of money to make use of the Stock Advisor service, you should make sure you have enough funds to invest. You will also want to make sure the subscription cost is reasonable (relative to your available capital). Investors with a minimum of $1,000 available to invest are likely to get the most value out of the service.

Is the Motley Fool Reliable?

The Motley Fool is one of the few investment advisory services that has been around for almost two decades. They’ve adapted to all types of market trends. The company has weathered both bear and bull markets and continues to generate phenomenal returns.

The results speak for themselves.

This isn’t a stock picking service with a few lucky stock picks. They have a history of providing stock picks that beat the market. Their reputation depends on their ability to provide great stock picks, and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing.

Can You Reveal Motley Fool’s Recent Stock Picks?

We must respect the fact that Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor program is a premium offering. If we gave away the stock picks, we would be doing a disservice to the hard-working team that compiles the research. It’s also important to note that the stock picks change monthly. As a member, you will have access to a history of all of the previous stock picks as well as two fresh investment ideas every month.

Is the Stock Advisor Program good for new investors?

Absolutely! The Motley Fool Stock Advisor service is one of the most beginner-friendly investment advisory services out there.

The analysts and authors who compile the reports make sure all of the information is easy to understand. If you are a new investor, this service is particularly beneficial because it helps you start building your portfolio the right way. You can start investing in strong companies set up for big growth over the next few years. Many new investors who go at it alone end up making costly mistakes. Getting the proper guidance from the start can have huge returns.

Furthermore, most of the recommendations the company makes are for companies with business models that are easy to understand. While this is not necessarily a reflection of the 
quality of the picks, it does help new investors better understand what they are investing in (which is always advised).

Is the Motley Fool a Pump and Dump?


Absolutely not! Pump and dumps occur when a stock’s promotion leads to abnormal buying activity that is followed by a massive sell-off. These schemes are best orchestrated on small and micro-cap companies since their volume levels make them easier to manipulate.

The stocks that Motley Fool recommends are nearly impossible to “pump.”

Take a stock pick like “Amazon,” for example. There is almost no way that a newsletter recommendation could impact the stock since the volume is so high. Even if every Fool subscriber bought at the same time, it would hardly affect the stock’s price.

Is Motley Fool Worth It?

The main question you’re probably asking at this point is, “should I sign up?” So, is Motley Fool Stock Advisor worth the money?

If you’re looking for a service that recommends hot stocks, it’s hard to find a program better than Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor. At only $99 for the first year, the membership is definitely worth the money. You can quickly recoup the subscription cost from a single stock pick.

The Stock Advisor service exceeded our expectations, and customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive as well.

What is the average time between buy and sell alerts for Motley Fool stocks?

To date, the Stock Advisor program has issued 219 sell alerts. The average time between buy and sell alerts is 5 years. The longest timeframe is 14 years and the shortest timeframe is 2 months (which is rare).

What is the renewal price for Motley Fool?

The Motley Fool service will renew at the “current price” of the service at the time (generally $199). That said, the company will often send a special renewal deal a month before your subscription ends.

How does the Motley Fool compare to other stock-picking services?

We have reviewed over 300 financial services, many of which offer investment advice and stock tips. For the price, Motley Fool cannot be beaten. Here are the main reasons why:

  1. You can’t beat the price. Most competing services charge at least three times the amount of the Stock Advisor Program, so Stock Advisor is worth the money.
  2. The Stock Advisor Program is time-tested. Many newer advisories haven’t been verified by bear markets and changing market conditions. The Gardner Brothers and Motley Fool’s team of analysts have been delivering exceptional stock picks for over 25 years, meaning their strategy is time-tested and proven to work.
  3. The program is easy to follow. The Stock Advisor program is simple and easy to follow. You get told which stocks to buy and sell – simple as that. All you need is a Motley Fool Stock Advisor subscription and a brokerage account at any broker.

Of course, you need to make sure stock investments are appropriate for your investment strategy. Stocks are inherently riskier than some alternative investments. It wouldn’t be fair to compare a stock recommendation service to a financial advisor that specializes in mutual funds and annuities. If you’re looking for stock recommendations, Motley Fool is the best in their class.

Pros   

  • Members get access to a list of the best stocks to buy at any moment
  • Members get access to two brand new stock picks every month
  • Stock Advisor picks are easy to follow
  • Motley Fool has a strong, time-tested track record
  • Research reports are well-organized and easy-to-follow
  • The Stock Advisor service has a great track record of beating the stock market (S&P 500)
  • Educational content is available for investors interested in learning more about stocks and investing
  • The Motley Fool website is easy to navigate
  • The money-back-guarantee allows subscribers to get a full refund if they are unhappy with the service

Cons

  • The non-stop flow of upsells to product offerings can get overwhelming

If our Motley Fool Stock Advisor review didn’t cover any information you were expecting, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via the contact page.

New Member Special

Get Stock Advisor for Only $99 for Your First Year

(regularly $199)

Day Trade Review

Dave

Dave has been a part-time day trader and swing trader since 2011 when he first became obsessed with the markets. He focuses primarily on technical setups and will hold positions anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Over his trading career, Dave has tried numerous day trading products, brokers, services, and courses. He continues to test and review new day trading services to this day.

107 thoughts on “Motley Fool Review – Is the Stock Advisor Program Worth the Money?”

  1. I tried motley fool and one other service I found online (that I won’t mention) and the stock advisor program was better by a longshot. these guys actually deliver

    Reply
    • I paid my $99 for the dividend Investor and now I can not even log in – was good for a couple of months. I think I should get a charitable donation receipt.

      Reply
  2. Motley Fool introduced me to stock picking. I’m glad I found them. You can learn a lot by reading their research reports and focusing on HOW they analyze companies. That’s what really helped me the most.

    Reply
      • I am a new investor and have no idea how to set up a brokerage account if I decide to purchase a Motley Fool subscription. How much commission does the brokerage firm make on my money? Is Robinhood.com free?

        Reply
        • Michelle, you should have no trouble buying stock and not paying anything to trade. If you bank with Bank of America they own Mearl Lynch. You can go right from your bank account to their website and trade for free. There are a lot of brokers that will not charge you for your trades. It is actually hard to find a broker that does charge.

          Reply
  3. Your comments were appreciated. Thank you for spending the time to explain things. I Joined MF about 3 weeks ago, but have yet to do anything further. I have a situation I’d like to discuss with someone knowledgeable in the company. How do I get in touch with a MF senior advisor?

    Reply
  4. Been with Motley Fool for 14 years now, starting with Stock Advisor and added other services of theirs. Very happy with the results, and agree with the assessment presented here, excellent research, explanations, transparency and the results rock if you are a long term investor, not a trader.

    Reply
    • you have been subscribed for 14 years, do the have the same price or just a little increase. right now, they say $99 on sales, are they going to charge regular price $199? thanks

      Reply
  5. Hi,

    Did anyone Signed up for the MF Partnership Portfolio (Canada only) .Its 749$ and they say its their biggest find of all time but I found the price to be very expansive to get the list of their 20 stocks. Thanks

    Reply
  6. I have taken up MF’s free advice in the past and it worked like a charm…. just subscribed for SA and Extreme Opp….let’s see how they pan out, very optimistic though. MF are highly recommended.

    Reply
    • Hi there,

      What are the major differences between the Stock Adviser and the Dividend Advisor programs, particularly for a newbie starting up a SMSF? Not sure which program would be better suited.

      Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

      Thanks

      Reply
  7. I am retiring in August of 2020 I will be 70 years old can you tell me which M/F investment you would invest in.

    Reply
    • We only reviewed the stock advisor program but Motley Fool also offers a “Rule Your Retirement” program. No comment on that program at the moment as we haven’t had a chance to review it.

      Stock Advisor could still be a good fit, but since you’re closer to retirement you may want to be extra conservative with your stop losses.

      Reply
    • John

      The Motley Fool Rule your Retirement subscription, should help you.

      I joined 3 weeks ago. The information I learned in the first few hours of reading, immediately paid for the subscription.

      And I mean, the whole subscription. They got me in the upsell to the Stock Advisor, Rule Breakers, Marijuana Masters & Market Pass…lol

      What I paid for all those as a package was a bargain, with just the info I’ve read so far in Rule Your Retirement & was able to immediately consider in my own retirement plan.

      Hope that helps
      Roberta

      Reply
  8. Very new to this. I think I understand the services provided. My question is for the stock picks MF provides do I need a broker to purchase or can I do it on my own? Also will stock picks give a minimum amount for purchase. Can I invest hundreds and thousands of dollars to will it have to be tens of thousands?

    Reply
    • Motley Fool will provide the stock picks, but you will need to place the trades through your broker. It’s easy to setup an online brokerage account and we’ve reviewed a few on this site.

      There is no minimum order when buying any of the stocks. Motley Fool simply recommends a pick. For example, if they recommend AAPL (Apple) at $200/share, you can purchase 1 share or 1,000 shares – it’s up to you. They do a good job of recommending stocks of all prices so the picks are helpful for small accounts too.

      Reply
  9. I am from Singapore and the current service base in Singapore is S$249 /Year (US$189/Year). But the US base offering US99/Year which is more cost saving. I just doubt which to choose and could you advise your opinion on this as each countries offering different stock advice.

    Thanks

    Reply
  10. I signed up earlier this year and the subscription already paid for itself. I’d highly recommend the stock advisor service to anyone

    Reply
  11. Great research and review. I was a member a few years ago and I really liked the research they put out. I was thinking of signing up again and I think I just confirmed the decision!

    Reply
  12. Big fan of motley fool!!!! the stock advisor service is a no brainer. ive been using it for years and the returns speak for themselves

    Reply
    • It’s hard to answer that question because it depends on your personal financial situation. Invest an amount of capital that you feel comfortable with.

      The market is particularly volatile right now so you need to be prepared for potential downside. If a 10-20% downturn in your account will have a major impact on your financial situation (and mental sanity) you probably have too much exposure.

      Since you’re new to investing, you can start small and add more funds as you become more comfortable with investing.

      Reply
  13. I finally took the leap and signed up! So far, I’m very happy with the service. I’ll report back if anything changes.

    Reply
    • Motley Fool isn’t a broker. They make the stock recommendations, which you can buy and sell through your broker. The only fee for Motley Fool is the subscription fee.

      Reply
  14. I joined the Stock Advisor program a few months ago and I’ve been pretty happy with it so far. My portfolio is up more than it would’ve been without the program and it’s pretty easy to use.

    Reply
  15. Great write-up! Thanks for taking time to do the research. I just signed up for stock advisor and im looking forward to the stock picks.

    Reply
  16. Hi Dave,
    I’m new to investing. I had read an article on Motley Fool – Stock Advisor and in clicking for more info have started receiving invites to join. Their approach had me a bit leery as it seems that one subscription offer is then followed by other products that can be purchased; a tad bombastic with lots of inbox contact!

    In looking for a review on them – I found your article and that has been very useful. I haven’t even yet taken up their offer of a reduced price on the basic subscription (but was planning to after reading your review) and am already receiving ‘reduced’ offers for another subscription – this time for “Hidden Gems Canada” – at a price of 199.00 for the year – apparently discounted by 300.00! I don’t see mention of this particular product in your review. This seems very high and makes me suspicious. Is this their practice – to, essentially lure one in with the ultra low yearly subscription for ‘basic info as a ‘doorway’ for sucking one in with hundreds of dollars for other ‘more significant info?’. I’d appreciate your thoughts.

    Reply
    • The Motley Fool has some upsells and other services, but I believe that the Stock Advisor program is the best. When it comes to stock picks, quality beats quantity and you only need a few good picks to build a solid portfolio. Naturally, the company will try to promote their other services, but you should be good with the Stock Advisor program.

      Reply
  17. Stock Advisor my understanding there are two picks a month……one every two weeks is this correct ? Do they tell you when to sell or is that strictly up to each person ?

    Reply
    • Two new picks per month. You can also see a history of all past picks, which can actually be helpful for finding some other great stocks. Since these picks are long-term, many of them are still relevant months later.

      Motley Fool does issue sell alerts, but I’d recommend having your own system in place as well. This helps you control risk, maximize profits, and tailor the picks to your own investment goals. For example, some investors may decide to cut losses at 10% and take a share of profits after a stock has increased 50%. There are no golden rules, but I think it’s helpful to control your own exit strategy. Most of Motley Fool’s sell alerts are issued when companies are underperforming, so it’s respectable that the company updates their recommendations, but you may want to be more proactive with your approach to risk management.

      Reply
      • Naturally by setting your on Golden Rules like selling at 10% loss or selling at 50% Gain an investor might be shooting themselves in the foot for larger gains they will loose out on. It’s not a bad system if and only if a higher percent of the Stock selections are going up rather than down.

        Reply
        • Those particular rules were hypothetical, but you do need some sort of rules to guide you. Otherwise, you will just buy and hold forever.

          Do what works best for you based on your risk tolerance, investment timeframes, and personal financial situation.

          Reply
  18. I was curious how much effort goes into the picks made by Dave and Tom ? is there significant research done before suggesting a stock.

    Reply
  19. I’ve been a subscriber of both Stock Advisor and Rule Breakers and I would definitely recommend Stock Advisor. Motley Fool offers a bunch of different services but all you really need is one. So far the picks have been great and my portfolio is doing well. Definitely worth the money!

    Reply
  20. Dave, thank you so much for the time and Information you have shared!
    I regret not paying attention to the emails I use to receive from Motley Fool years ago. I am sure, after reading your review that my life would have been better(monetarily).
    I have very little in a Vanguard Roth IRA. If I should choose a stock recommendation from Motley Fool, could someone within the company give me some direction or can that even be done? I know so little.
    Thank you again and good luck to all who have had comments and are seeking answers!

    Reply
    • I’m glad you found the information useful.

      Stock Advisor does have a “self-serve” component to it. The company provides stock picks and research reports and it’s up to the individual investor to decide whether or not to take action.

      As for additional guidance, you would have to check with Motley Fool. I’m not fully sure what you are looking for, but they would be better suited to answer that question.

      Reply
  21. Great review and discussions, Dave. I’m looking forward to subscribe, but have one more question. Are these recommendations for stocks worldwide or just for the US markets?

    Reply
  22. “What Type of Investor is Motley Fool Best For?
    Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor service is best suited for long-term investors who are looking for individual stocks that will beat the market. Short-term investors and swing traders may also benefit from the monthly stock alerts.”
    I am particular interested in hearing more about how the short term investors can benefit from your StockAdvisor service.

    Reply
    • Short-term traders can ride the momentum of certain alerts. It’s up to you how you trade the alerts. For example, Motley Fool may alert a stock that subsequently runs 10% in the first month and 25% in the first year. A short-term trader could sell after a month, whereas a longer term trader could hold for years.

      Reply
  23. I too am new and considering to start my portfolio. I read above that you charge for subscription only service but my investment would be through a broker, can you elaborate on this. My understanding was that an account would be created and I can Buy/Sell through it? Can you guide further on this query. Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Naveed,

      First off, we don’t provide the service. This is just the review.

      Motley Fool makes stock pick recommendations. If you choose to buy any stocks based off of their recommendations, you would need to do so in your own brokerage account (i.e. ETrade, TD Ameritrade, etc.). Motley Fool is a stock recommendation service, not a broker.

      Reply
    • You need an online broker, but you can place the trades yourself. You don’t need to call a real person. You can buy and sell through an online order entry form.

      Reply
  24. thank you for the great review , I am new and was looking for something decent to learn and start from. so far it’s encouraging. I do have one question regarding the subscription fee: is the $99/year for only for Stock Advisor and picks or does that include the Rule Breaker as well? what type of other services and subscriptions fees there are in Motly Fool ?

    Reply
  25. i just turned 50. my biggest regret is not investing when i was younger. i have money sitting in high interest savings account like eq bank or gic. should i still try investing? i’ve read in the comments i need an online broker. what is a good online broker and are they expensive? i’m in canada.or is it too late and i should just keep my money in the high interest savings accounts? thanks!

    Reply
    • depends on the amount of money you have saved. Is your emergency fund totally in place (i.e. 1 year salary in a high yield money market)?
      Do you have a checking account that provides for living expenses and a savings account for expenses for the next 1-3years? Any excess you don’t need for 5-10 years, go ahead and place in stocks recommended by the motley fools.

      Reply
  26. Been with Motley fool for a good 4 years. I have doubled my 401k money in that span. Before the Motley Fool, my 401k balance was a flatliner for a good 8 years, where it was invested in ETFs.

    Reply
  27. I am intrested in and getting the stock advisor by Motley fool but I know nothing about stockbrokers. I don’t even know how to buy a stock or who is a stock broker. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

    Reply
    • Setting up a brokerage account is fairly straightforward. Some of the leading online brokers include ETRADE, TD Ameritrade and Schwab. You can visit their sites and open an account. Do some research first so you feel comfortable.

      Reply
  28. Thanks a lot for this review.
    I found this site after searching for reviews on Motley Fool and I’m now convinced on signing up for the stock advisor programme. I’m new to investing and I’ve always seen it as difficult and complicated, I’m determined to build a portfolio and take steps towards financial freedom.

    Reply
    • As an add-on question Dave,

      I currently live in the UK, is there a need to sign up for the share advisor in both UK and USA or there is no difference between the two?

      Thanks

      Reply
  29. I am wondering if this program is only for those who are able to invest a few hundred dollars? Will this work for those of us who want to invest but don’t have hundreds of dollars for investing? Also, can I make money with $100 a month??

    Reply
  30. Are any of the stock recommendations on the TSE exchange market? I am only interested in the Canadian market? Wondering if this subscription is worth it for Canadians looking to invest in their country only.

    Reply
    • I haven’t seen any picks for stocks on the TSE. The service is focused on stocks trading on US exchanges, as those will be the most accessible to members.

      Reply
  31. very excellent review, thanks. Please tell me:
    How many stocks have been recommended in the universe of stocks that resulted in the superb performances in your report?
    From the universe of stocks recommended, how would I be able to pick the super winning ones without investing in the entire universe?
    How much would it cost to invest in the entire universe, bearing in mind that it varies according to number of shares and price of shares?
    Is the amount to which $10,000 would have increased, if invested, computed by taking in account the amounts that would have been invested in those non-performing stocks from the same universe?
    I am just trying to understand the implication “If you had invested $10000 in those stocks”, while at the same time several other stocks were recommended, so how would I be able to zero in on “those stocks”? Please explain.

    Reply
    • The returns and examples mentioned are an average of all the picks the company has made (both winners and losers).

      You would likely have a hard time identifying the “super winning” stocks with accuracy.

      Reply
  32. Hi and thank you for this thorough review about the program.

    I have some questions in case you can answer me since I’m a complete beginner on stock market.

    When we subscribe, do we get the real time recommendations on which stocks we should buy? I mean, do we just get 2 stock picks every month and we are supposed to buy those stocks every month? If that’s the case, how do we know then when to sell or the % allocation we should use to see how much shares of each stock to buy?

    Reply
    • You get two new alerts every month. On the dashboard, there is a list of “Stocks to Buy today” which (at the time of writing this) has about 10 stocks. So, if you are looking to build a new portfolio, you could use those recommendations.

      As for buying, selling, and portfolio allocation, that’s entirely up to each individual. You can buy as many shares as you feel comfortable with. Motley Fool will issue the occasional sell alert, but you may prefer to take a more/less conservative approach. Same goes for portfolio allocation – some people like to invest in dozens of stocks, others prefer sticking with a few good companies.

      Reply
  33. Hi – Is the level of expertise just as good on the Uk site of Motley Fool – I would be interested in investments in British Pounds.

    Reply
  34. Hi I am new to investment. Noting that the Stock Advisor will recommend stock to buy, may I know how it works? I mean how to time the market? Should we need to act immediately right after the recommendation is made or is there any indication of purchase time frame?

    Also, after the stock has a ‘buy’ recommendation, how about the exit strategy? Will you also advise us when to sell?

    I really want to know how this program helps. Thanks for your advice.

    Reply
    • The service will tell you when to buy and the price of the stock at the time of the alert. These are long-term picks so you don’t need to buy at the exact price, but you may decide to avoid an alert if the price moves too fast (i.e. 5-10% away from the recommendation price).

      Once again, most of these picks are long-term investments that should be held for 3-5 years or more, but Motley Fool will issue a sell recommendation if they believe members should exit a position. You can also apply your own management strategy (i.e. cutting losses earlier or taking profits earlier).

      Reply
  35. I just started with MF and I have already started making money. I find it a little disconcerting that all the services were not included in the original price. There is an upcharge for the better services. The other problem is a lot of the stock picks are very high dollar. So it is hard for me to buy a large number of the stock. So far I am very pleased with the service. This service is beating all my other investments. I am going to hold off on buying any more services until I have a little more experience with MF.

    Reply
  36. Can anyone from any part of the world become a member. I am from the South Pacific region. Are there regulatory/tax requirements or restrictions?

    Reply
  37. I have a financial advisor, but would like to try a bit on my own. What brokers do recommend? Does the Motley Fool help a beginner set up a portfolio, how use it, etc. Thanks for your help/

    Karen

    Reply
  38. I am thinking about investing with MF for the first time. I am new at this have no knowledge on investing are shock. I would like some advice from someone. Do I have to keep track of the trading they are doing to know when to sell and buy.

    Reply
  39. I am wondering if Motley Fool actually does the investment for you? or is it just advice? I find all the trading sights and apps confusion and I am not sure they are trust worthy. I don’t want to get advice and then have to go to another app or sight to make the investment. Is this a one stop shopping investment group. Again, does Motely Fool do the investment for you and is there an extra cost for this?

    Reply
    • Motley Fool just makes the stock recommendations. If you want to follow the recommendations, you will need to purchase the stock in your own brokerage account.

      Reply
  40. motley fool stock advisor is by far the best letter on the market. I have done very well using there recommendations
    also very impressed rule breaker.

    Reply
  41. Hi,
    Is the Motley Fool stock advisor also good for European residents? Can we buy the stocks they recommend in Europe and if yes isn’t that too costly?
    Michel

    Reply
  42. I am interested in getting trying the service. I have two questions which Michelle asked above– what brokerage do I use to buy stocks? I’ll check my B of A account. Secondly, are the recommendations to buy one full share of stock? Or can we buy–I’m not sure what the word is (I’m new)– micro-shares? Is there such a thing? I have a pension and separate 401K I can move money around in; mutual funds. Would I have to buy a full share? thanks

    Reply
    • You can buy the stocks with whichever broker you use. The recommendations are to buy the stock. Motley Fool doesn’t recommend a specific amount of shares – the amount of shares you buy is up to you.

      Reply
  43. First time investor here (other than my 401k, which I haven’t switched in probably 20 years) and a little confused. From what I understand, Motley Fool is strictly an advisor, not a broker? Is that correct? And, how much should I expect to invest? Fear of making the wrong choice will limit my investment.

    Reply
  44. As a Canadian, who only buys stocks from the TSX, is there a value for me to subscribe to the Motley Fool Review for $99.00 assuming US Dollars? I have been trading as a retired employee daily; since 2010.
    I admit occasionally i buy a good stock at the wrong time, but rarely do so. I would appreciate your honest advice.

    Reply
    • If you only buy stocks on the TSX, you won’t get much value out of the subscription. All of the stock recommendations for Stock Advisor are stocks trading on US exchanges.

      Reply
  45. I’m 75 years old and was looking into Motley. at 75 should I consider Motley? I understand it’s long-term 5 years plus is it worth it to me to get involved?

    Reply
  46. What if you are retired and already have a portfolio set established? I just want to make more $$$.
    Is this the place to go?

    Reply

Leave a Comment