FactSet vs Refinitiv Eikon
Financial Data & Terminals pricing comparison · 2026 · Updated June 2026
FactSet uses custom pricing, while Refinitiv Eikon ranges from $300–$1830/user/year. These products use different pricing models ( vs Per-seat subscription), so a direct price comparison isn't meaningful — costs depend on usage volume and mix.
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FactSet and Refinitiv Eikon are the two leading Bloomberg alternatives, each offering professional-grade financial data at 30-50% lower cost. The pricing models differ sharply: FactSet keeps all four configurations quote-based — from the base FactSet Workstation up to FactSet Enterprise / API — while Eikon publishes its core pricing: Eikon Web at $300/user/month, Eikon Desktop Standard at $1,250, and Eikon Desktop Premium at $1,830.
FactSet is the buy-side analytics champion with modular, negotiated pricing and superior portfolio tools. Eikon (now LSEG Workspace) offers exclusive Reuters news, the deepest FX data, and DataStream's 120+ years of historical time series. For firms choosing between these two platforms — or evaluating a Bloomberg migration — this comparison covers the pricing, data, and workflow differences that matter.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | FactSet | Refinitiv Eikon |
|---|---|---|
| FactSet Workstation | Custom | $300 /user/year |
| FactSet Workstation with Estimates | Custom | $1.3K /user/year |
| FactSet Workstation with Analytics | Custom | $1.8K /user/year |
| FactSet Enterprise / API | Custom | Custom |
| Enterprise/API | — | Custom |
Market Intelligence
FactSet
- Median annual cost
- $25,160
- Based on
- 4 deals
Refinitiv Eikon
- Median annual cost
- $2,000
- Based on
- 8 deals
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Our Verdict
Choose FactSet if you're a buy-side firm focused on equity research, need superior portfolio analytics and screening tools, want the best-in-class estimates database, or prefer modular pricing to control costs — every configuration, from FactSet Workstation to FactSet Enterprise / API, is quoted to your seat count and data needs rather than published. FactSet's 95%+ retention rate on the buy-side speaks for itself.
Choose Refinitiv Eikon if you need exclusive Reuters news coverage, work primarily in FX or fixed income markets, require DataStream's 120+ years of historical data for academic-grade research, or want dealing capabilities via the Eikon with Dealing tier. Eikon also offers transparent published pricing FactSet doesn't: $300/user/month for Eikon Web, $1,250 for Eikon Desktop Standard, and $1,830 for Eikon Desktop Premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 FactSet vs Refinitiv Eikon: which is cheaper?
Entry pricing is similar: FactSet Basic at $4,000/year vs Eikon Web at $3,600/year. At the professional level, FactSet Standard ($12,000/year) is slightly cheaper than Eikon Desktop Standard ($15,000/year). Fully loaded, both range $20,000-$30,000/user/year. FactSet offers steeper volume discounts for large teams.
02 Which is better for equity research?
FactSet is the buy-side standard for equity research. Its estimates database, screening tools, and Excel integration are purpose-built for fundamental analysis. Eikon has solid fundamentals but lacks FactSet's depth in consensus estimates and portfolio analytics. For buy-side equity research, FactSet wins.
03 Which is better for FX trading?
Refinitiv Eikon, clearly. LSEG owns Matching (the world's largest FX trading venue), giving Eikon unmatched FX spot, forward, and options data plus built-in dealing capabilities. FactSet has basic FX data but isn't designed for active FX trading workflows.
04 How does historical data compare?
Eikon + DataStream offers 120+ years of financial history across 175+ countries — the gold standard for long-horizon research. FactSet's historical data is comprehensive for modern periods but doesn't match DataStream's depth. For academic research and long-term backtesting, Eikon/DataStream is superior.
05 Which offers better API access?
Both offer strong APIs. FactSet's REST/SDK APIs are well-documented and start around $25,000/year. Refinitiv Data Platform APIs cost $25,000-$150,000/year depending on scope. FactSet is generally considered more developer-friendly with better documentation and more flexible data access.
06 Can you switch between FactSet and Eikon?
Yes, migration is straightforward since both use modular pricing. Excel formulas need conversion (=FDS vs Eikon formulas). Allow 2-3 weeks for team retraining. The main consideration: Reuters news exclusives on Eikon can't be replicated on FactSet, and FactSet's estimates depth can't be matched on Eikon.
07 Which is better for multi-asset portfolios?
Eikon covers more asset classes out of the box (equities, FX, fixed income, commodities, real estate) and includes dealing capabilities. FactSet is deeper on equities and portfolio analytics but requires add-on modules for broader asset class coverage.
08 How do contract terms compare?
Both offer 1-year minimum contracts (vs Bloomberg's rigid 2-year). FactSet typically requires 60-90 days cancellation notice. Eikon requires 30-60 days. Both offer multi-year discounts of 5-20%. Both are significantly more flexible than Bloomberg.