There's a reason Motley Fool has maintained its staying power in the investment advisory space for over 30 years. While many stock-picking services have come and gone, the Fool's flagship Stock Advisor service continues to attract over 500,000 subscribers who pay for their recommendations year after year. The secret? Consistently market-beating stock picks backed by detailed analysis, transparent results tracking, and an investment philosophy that actually works.
As a finance professional who's followed the industry for years, I can tell you that Motley Fool's success isn't based on gimmicks or lucky picks. Their recommendations aren't esoteric or impossible to justify – they're built on actual research, strong company fundamentals, and a long-term investment approach that has proven successful through multiple market cycles. Even though no service is perfect, Stock Advisor's track record speaks for itself with 900%+ returns since inception versus the S&P 500's 170%.
Let's dive into whether Motley Fool Stock Advisor is worth your money in 2025.
Key Takeaways
Motley Fool Stock Advisor has delivered market-beating returns of 900%+ since 2002 (vs. S&P 500's 170%)
New subscribers can join for $99 for the first year (regular price is $199/year)
Members receive two new stock recommendations each month
67% of all Stock Advisor picks have been profitable
The service is best for investors who can follow their long-term, buy-and-hold strategy
What Is Motley Fool Stock Advisor?
Motley Fool Stock Advisor is the flagship subscription service from The Motley Fool, an investment advisory company founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner. The Stock Advisor service launched in 2002 and provides members with:
Two new stock recommendations each month
"Best Buys Now" lists of timely opportunities
Starter stocks for new portfolios
Investment education and research
Access to previous stock picks and their performance
The service is not a brokerage – you'll need your own investment account to buy the recommended stocks. Instead, it's an advisory service that tells you what to buy, when to buy it, and occasionally, when to sell.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor Performance
The headline numbers are impressive. According to Motley Fool's website, Stock Advisor recommendations have returned 900%+ since the service began in 2002, compared to the S&P 500's 170% return over the same period.
But how have they performed recently? Based on data from several independent reviews:
16 of their last 18 picks (as of February 2025) are profitable
Their 2023 picks are beating the S&P 500 by 11% on average
Stocks they've recommended that are at least 5 years old have returned an average of 226%
Some of their biggest winners include:
Tesla (TSLA): Up 1,261% since January 2020
Shopify (SHOP): Up 3,562% since recommendation
Nvidia (NVDA): Up 5,549% since recommendation
Netflix (NFLX): Up 40,299% since original recommendation
Amazon (AMZN): First recommended in 1997, up over 80,000%
Of course, not every pick is a winner. About 67% of Stock Advisor recommendations have been profitable, meaning roughly one-third have lost money. But the winners have more than made up for the losers – that's the benefit of spreading your money around approach with a long-term perspective.
The Motley Fool's Investment Philosophy
The Motley Fool's success is more than picking the right stocks – it's about following a consistent investment philosophy. They recommend:
Buy at least 25 companies and hold them for at least 5 years
Add new money regularly to your investments
Hold through market volatility (don't panic sell)
Let winners run (don't sell too early)
Aim for long-term returns, not short-term gains
The Fool’s approach isn't for everyone, especially if you're looking for quick wins or have a low risk tolerance. But for long-term investors, this philosophy has proven effective through multiple market cycles.
What You Get With a Stock Advisor Subscription
Stock Recommendations
The core of the service is its stock recommendations. Each month, members receive two new stock picks, complete with detailed research reports explaining the investment thesis. These aren't just ticker symbols – you get thorough analysis of the company's how they make money, what gives them an edge, risks, and growth potential.
Best Buys Now
Twice a month, Stock Advisor releases a list of 10 timely investment opportunities selected from previous recommendations. These are stocks they believe are particularly attractive at their current prices.
Starter Stocks
For new members who are building a portfolio from scratch, Stock Advisor offers a list of "Starter Stocks" – foundational companies they recommend as core holdings for any investment portfolio.
Research and Education
Members get access to investment guides, tutorials, and articles to help them become better investors. This educational content is particularly valuable for newcomers who are learning learning the fundamentals of stock analysis.
Community Access
The subscription includes access to the Motley Fool community, where folks can chat about investment ideas, talk with other investors and bounce around ideas.
Pricing: How Much Does Stock Advisor Cost?
The regular price for Motley Fool Stock Advisor is $199 per year. However, new subscribers can often get a discounted rate of $99 for the first year. After the first year, the subscription renews at the regular rate.
They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service risk-free for a month.
Is this price worth it? If you're investing at least a few thousand dollars, the what you might earn could easily outweigh the subscription cost. For example, if you invested just $1,000 in each of their monthly recommendations, a single successful pick that doubles in value would more than pay for several years of the service.
The Motley Fool's Other Services
Beyond Stock Advisor, The Motley Fool offers several premium services:
Epic ($499/year): Combines Stock Advisor, Rule Breakers, Hidden Gems, and Dividend Investor recommendations
Epic Plus ($1,999/year): Adds trend-based, value, international stock picks, and options trading
Fool Portfolios ($3,999/year): Includes microcap stocks and digital assets
Fool One ($13,999/year): Their most comprehensive offering with exclusive events first look at upcoming tools tools
For most individual investors, Stock Advisor provides the best value and is a good starting point before considering their higher-tier services.
Pros and Cons of Motley Fool Stock Advisor
Pros
Strong Track Record: Consistent market-beating returns over 20+ years
Transparent Performance: They openly share their wins and losses
Educational Value: Their analysis helps you learn you learn how to evaluate stocks
Long-Term Approach: Encourages healthy investment habits
Reasonable Price: Affordable compared to many other advisory services
Cons
Email Marketing: They send a lot of promotional emails (though you can unsubscribe)
Not for Day Traders: Their recommendations require patience, not for short-term traders
Some Losers: Not every pick performs well
"Fool Effect": Popular recommendations may spike in price shortly after being announced due to subscriber demand
Is Motley Fool Stock Advisor Worth It in 2025?
After looking into this service, Motley Fool Stock Advisor is worth the investment for most people who:
Have a long-term investment horizon (5+ years)
Can handle market volatility without panic selling
Have at least $10,000 to invest across multiple recommendations
Want stock picks supported by real research
It's particularly valuable for:
Beginner investors who want to learn stock analysis while getting expert recommendations
Busy professionals who don't have time to dig into stock stocks
Long-term investors looking to complement their core ETF holdings with growth stocks
I'd recommend first building a core of diversified, low-cost ETFs for your core retirement savings, then using Stock Advisor recommendations to complement that strategy with individual stocks that have higher growth potential.
The key is to give their picks time to work – at least 1-2 years at minimum, but ideally 5+ years. The longer you hold their recommendations, the better the average returns have been historically.
My Personal Assessment
There's a reason Motley Fool has maintained its reputation and subscriber base over decades while other services have faded away. They deliver substantial value through their:
Technology platform that makes stock recommendations easy to follow
Research quality that goes far beyond surface-level analysis
Track record that has consistently beaten market benchmarks
Educational approach that helps subscribers become better investors themselves
While some might point out that anyone might suggest trendy stocks stocks like NVIDIA in hindsight, the Motley Fool has a documented history of recommending such companies years before they became household names. They recommended Amazon in the 1990s, Netflix when it was primarily a DVD-by-mail service, and Shopify when many investors hadn't heard of it.
What makes Stock Advisor worth the money isn't just the picks – it's the thorough analysis that helps you understand why these companies have potential, what risks they face, and how they fit as part of your mix of investments.
Final Verdict: Is Motley Fool Stock Advisor Worth The Money?
Rating: 4.5/5
Motley Fool Stock Advisor earns a strong recommendation for long-term investors who want quality stock picks backed by solid research. Even though no investment service is perfect, their long-term track record, transparent approach, and reasonable price make it one of the best values in the investment advisory space.
At $99 for the first year (with a 30-day money-back guarantee), the potential upside far outweighs the cost for most investors who plan to put at least $5,000-$10,000 to work using their recommendations.
Just remember: The best results come from following their full investment philosophy – buying multiple recommendations, holding for the long term, and not overreacting to market volatility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Motley Fool legitimate?
Yes, The Motley Fool is a legitimate investment advisory company that's been in business since 1993. They're transparent about their performance, including both winning and losing recommendations.
How often does Stock Advisor release new picks?
Stock Advisor releases two new stock recommendations per month, typically on the first and third Thursday of each month.
What is the average return of Motley Fool Stock Advisor picks?
Since inception in 2002, Stock Advisor picks have returned over 900% compared to the S&P 500's 170% during the same period.
Does Motley Fool tell you when to sell?
Yes, though sell recommendations are relatively rare. The Motley Fool's investment philosophy emphasizes long-term holding, but they will issue sell alerts when they believe a company's prospects have fundamentally changed for the worse.
Can beginners use Motley Fool Stock Advisor?
Yes, beginners can benefit from Stock Advisor. The service provides detailed explanations of why they're recommending each stock, educational resources, and a list of "Starter Stocks" that are good foundation investments for new portfolios.
How much money do I need to use Motley Fool Stock Advisor effectively?
While you can start with any amount, having at least $10,000-$15,000 to invest allows you to buy multiple recommendations and build a properly diversified portfolio.
Is there a Motley Fool free trial?
There's no free trial, but they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free for a month.
How does the Motley Fool compare to other stock picking services?
Based on long-term performance and value, Motley Fool Stock Advisor consistently ranks among the top stock advisory services. Their returns have outpaced many competitors, and their subscription price is reasonable compared to similar services.