Bloomberg Terminal vs FactSet
Financial Data & Terminals pricing comparison · 2026 · Updated June 2026
Bloomberg Terminal is quote-based, while FactSet is quote-based. These products use different pricing models (Per-seat subscription vs ), so a direct price comparison isn't meaningful — costs depend on usage volume and mix.
Sources & confidence
Every dollar amount and contract clause below traces back to a sourced fact. We don't manufacture composite scores.
Plans at a glance
Every tier per product. Lock one to drive the cost row above and reveal a tier-specific outbound CTA.
Contract terms
The fine print, surfaced. Green = buyer-friendly. Each clause backed by a quoted source.
What users say
Aggregated, with sample sizes. We use whichever review platform has data.
Bloomberg Terminal and FactSet are the two most widely used financial data platforms, but they serve different primary audiences. Bloomberg is the sell-side standard with unmatched real-time data and the industry's largest messaging network (IB Chat), priced at $2,665/user/month for a Single Terminal or $2,360/user/month on the Multi-Terminal (2+ users) plan. FactSet is the buy-side favorite, offering modular, quote-based pricing across its FactSet Workstation packages, superior fundamental analysis, and better API capabilities.
This comparison breaks down pricing, features, and total cost of ownership to help you decide which platform fits your workflow and budget.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Bloomberg Terminal | FactSet |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
| Bloomberg for Education | Custom | — |
| Bloomberg Terminal | Custom | — |
Market Intelligence
Bloomberg Terminal
- Median annual cost
- $31,980
- Based on
- 15 deals
FactSet
- Median annual cost
- $27,500
- Based on
- 6 deals
Contract Terms
| Term | Bloomberg Terminal | FactSet |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-renewal | Yes | — |
| Cancellation | Must cancel before renewal date; users report disputes when cancelling the day before renewal are not honored | For general online payments, a written notice received at least ten business days in advance of a scheduled payment is required to cancel that specific payment; for FactSet StreetAccount, cancellation during a trial period takes effect immediately without charge. |
| Minimum commitment | Annual (subscriptions may be converted from monthly to annual automatically) | — |
| Price escalation | Users report prices being raised without consent | — |
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Our Verdict
Choose Bloomberg Terminal if you work in sell-side trading or banking, need the fastest breaking news, rely on IB Chat for deal communication, or require the broadest real-time data across all asset classes. Bloomberg's network effects make it irreplaceable for roles where speed and connectivity matter most — expect $2,665/user/month for a Single Terminal, dropping to $2,360/user/month with Multi-Terminal (2+ users).
Choose FactSet if you're on the buy-side doing fundamental research, want modular pricing to control costs, need superior Excel integration for financial modeling, or require programmatic data access via FactSet Enterprise / API. All FactSet Workstation tiers are quote-based, so you pay only for the modules — Estimates, Analytics, or API access — your team actually uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Which is better for buy-side analysts?
FactSet is generally preferred by buy-side analysts. It offers superior portfolio analytics, better screening tools, more flexible Excel integration, and modular pricing that lets you pay only for needed data. Bloomberg is essential if you also need real-time trading execution or IB Chat.
02 Which has better Excel integration?
Both offer strong Excel plugins, but FactSet's is widely considered superior for fundamental analysis. FactSet uses =FDS formulas with broader data coverage and better refresh capabilities. Bloomberg's Excel Add-in (BDH, BDP, BDS) is excellent for real-time data pulls.
03 Can FactSet replace Bloomberg?
For many buy-side firms, yes. FactSet covers fundamentals, estimates, screening, and analytics at lower cost. However, Bloomberg cannot be replaced if you need: (1) IB Chat messaging network, (2) fastest breaking news, (3) deepest fixed income/derivatives data, or (4) industry-standard sell-side workflows.
04 What are the contract differences?
Bloomberg requires a 2-year minimum commitment with rigid pricing and 50% early termination penalty. FactSet offers 1-year contracts with more flexible terms and negotiable early termination. Multi-year FactSet contracts unlock 10-20% savings.
05 Which has better real-time market data?
Bloomberg has broader real-time data coverage across 330+ exchanges and faster news delivery. FactSet's real-time data is strong but requires add-on exchange fees. For active trading desks, Bloomberg is the clear winner.