The Hidden Cost of Free Market Data Apps

"Free" market data has a price list nobody shows you:

• Delayed quotes — 15 minutes behind unless the app pays exchange fees (most free tiers don't)
• PFOF execution — "commission-free" brokers sell your order flow; the spread cost is real but invisible
• Rate-limited APIs — free data endpoints throttle at exactly the moment volatility spikes
• Ad noise — attention cost adds up

What to check in any free app: is the quote real-time or delayed? (Look for the timestamp.) Does it route through a market maker? Is "free" subsidized by a subscription upsell?

Stock Picks is free and uses real-time data — the model works because it's a practice platform, not an execution venue. No PFOF games when there's no real order.