Sizing Up Three Streaming Quote Services

Last week's Tools of the Trade column talked about what you should look for in an entry-level, real-time streaming quote service -- things like customization and the ability to track multiple portfolios and multiple exchanges.

This week we'll look at three basic quote services: myTrack from Track Data Securities, the Screamer from Money.net and Quotes Live! from Quicken. All three give you the basic functionality I talked about last week. They let you arrange how data is displayed on your screen. You can create multiple portfolios, watch real-time charts, call up reams of fundamental data and so forth. That said, each of these streaming quote sites is different and each is best suited to a particular kind of trader.

myTrack: So Free It's Dangerous

myTrack is both an online brokerage and a quote vendor. Customers can use one service without signing up for the other. The company allows anyone to download its quote platform free with delayed data. ...