29 Essential Free Research Tools You Should Know About

 


Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of research tools — and honestly, most aren’t worth your time.

But these 29? They stand out. These are the ones I rely on daily.

Best of all: they’re completely free.

Table of Contents

  • Overview

  • Search & Information Tools

  • Document Analysis

  • Social Media Intelligence

  • Legal & Domain Research

  • Investment Community Insights

  • SEC & Market Research

  • Social Platforms

  • Additional Resources

  • Conclusion

Overview

Before we get into the details, here’s the full list of tools you should check out:

  • Google Advanced Search

  • SEC Full-Text Search

  • PCAOB Auditor Search

  • Wayback Machine

  • Webpage Archive

  • Perplexity AI

  • Diffchecker

  • IBorrowDesk

  • SocialBlade

  • Glassdoor

  • BBB

  • SiteJabber

  • TrustPilot

  • ReverseWHOIS

  • PACER

  • Court Listener

  • Hacker News

  • 10x EBITDA

  • X/Twitter

  • SEC Comment Letters

  • Google Alerts

  • Google Trends

  • Reddit

  • TikTok

  • LinkedIn

  • Value Investors Club

  • ImportYeti

  • YouTube Stock Promotion Investigation

  • Alta Fox Capital Case Study

Search & Information Tools

Google Advanced Search
Not your typical Google search — use filters like “filetype:pdf site:.gov” alongside company names to uncover hidden documents many investors miss.

SEC Full-Text Search
Access two decades of SEC filings and track specific terms or people across companies.

PCAOB Auditor Search
Want to verify the reliability of a company’s financials? Check the auditor’s background and who specifically signs off on audits.

Wayback Machine
A time machine for websites — perfect for spotting companies that try to rewrite their history.

Webpage Archive
My faster alternative to Wayback for archiving media articles and catching sneaky post-publication edits.

Perplexity AI
When Google fails, this AI tool excels at connecting dots and finding answers in company research.

Document Analysis

Diffchecker
Spot the exact changes in company documents—ideal for tracking shifts in risk factors or financial disclosures.

IBorrowDesk
Understand short-selling pressure by checking borrow rates and stock availability in real time.

Social Media Intelligence

SocialBlade
Monitor a company’s social media growth and spot signs of fake follower purchases or falling engagement.

Glassdoor
Don’t just skim recent reviews—analyze patterns over time. Sudden clusters of reviews can be red flags.

BBB (Better Business Bureau)
Their public alerts have helped me avoid bad investments by revealing early warning signs.

SiteJabber
Consumer reviews for online businesses—great for identifying problems with e-commerce companies.

TrustPilot
A solid review site to cross-reference complaints and validate concerns.

Legal & Domain Research

ReverseWHOIS
Discover all websites registered to a company—surprising insights can come from forgotten domains.

PACER
Access federal lawsuits (note: there are fees, but the information can be invaluable).

Court Listener
Free legal research tool to find court precedents that might impact current cases.

Investment Community Insights

Hacker News
Silicon Valley’s go-to discussion board—search any tech company to get insider perspectives.

10x EBITDA
A treasure trove of activist investor presentations, revealing how pros dissect companies.

X/Twitter
Filter content by people you follow and search by ticker symbols. It’s like having a team of analysts at your fingertips.

SEC & Market Research

SEC Comment Letters
Search EDGAR for “CORRESP” or “UPLOAD” to find comment letters that often expose issues before they go public.

Google Alerts
Set and forget — get notified instantly when news breaks about your companies.

Google Trends
Track public interest over time, an excellent way to spot fading brands before the market catches on.

Social Platforms

Reddit
Don’t underestimate it—some of the best industry insights come from verified employees sharing firsthand knowledge.

TikTok
Curious if young people actually use a product? TikTok offers a genuine pulse on trends and consumer behavior.

LinkedIn
Vet employee backgrounds and connections. A CFO with questionable credentials? That’s an immediate warning sign.

Additional Resources

Value Investors Club
Quality varies, but some write-ups are exceptional. Free access after a delay.

ImportYeti
Access over 70 million shipping records — perfect for supply chain research.

YouTube Stock Promotion Investigation
Search for exposés like “The Sketchy Companies Paying YouTubers to Promote Their Stock.” Eye-opening insights into stock promotion tactics.

Alta Fox Capital Case Study
Study “The Makings of a Multibagger,” analyzing 104 stocks that surged 10x or more.

Conclusion

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

The real advantage comes from using them consistently and cross-referencing what you discover.

Start with 2-3 tools that fit your style, master those, then expand your toolkit.


— Edwin Dorsey

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