SmallBizGenius Analysis

Morningstar is a financial research and investment management firm, but customer reviews reveal significant issues with its website, customer service, and data accuracy. Many users express frustration with the platform's functionality and the support they receive.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 96 recent reviews

Website Functionality

2.0/10

Numerous reviewers report frequent technical issues, broken links, slow loading times, and features that don't work as expected. Many mention the portfolio manager being frequently unavailable or displaying incorrect data, making the site unreliable for daily use. One user stated, "The problem with the company is their website. It is infuriatingly frustrating to use- its portfolio manager is broken over 50% of time when I want to use it."

45 reviews mention this

Customer Service

2.5/10

Many reviewers express frustration with Morningstar's customer service, describing it as unresponsive, unhelpful, and difficult to reach. Some report long wait times, unresolved issues, and a lack of follow-up, with some suspecting outsourced support with limited knowledge. A reviewer noted, "Absolutely useless customer support. Portfolio performance tracking price lookup fails to return a quote for a fund... No updates provided unless chased and no fix provided."

28 reviews mention this

Data Accuracy

3.0/10

Several reviewers report inaccuracies in Morningstar's data, including incorrect dividend information, faulty stock screeners, and discrepancies in portfolio calculations. These errors undermine trust in the platform and raise concerns about the reliability of its investment insights. As one user stated, "Morningstar publishes incorrect data on stocks and takes years to fix problems, if ever."

15 reviews mention this

Subscription and Billing Issues

1.5/10

Multiple reviewers complain about unwanted auto-renewals, difficulties canceling subscriptions, and being charged after cancellation. Some report having to fight to get refunds for unauthorized charges, indicating a problematic billing system. One reviewer said, "They continue to charge my credit card for services I cancelled... Employees working for Morningstar deserve jail time."

12 reviews mention this

New Website Design/Updates

2.0/10

Several reviewers dislike the new website design and changes to the platform, finding it less user-friendly and more difficult to navigate than previous versions. Some report that key features have been removed or made harder to access, diminishing the value of their subscriptions. A user commented, "New 'improvements' were the opposite. They have no idea what advisors need."

10 reviews mention this

Value for Money

3.0/10

Several reviewers feel that Morningstar's premium subscription is overpriced for the value it provides, especially given the frequent technical issues and data inaccuracies. Some argue that similar information is available for free elsewhere, making the subscription unnecessary. One reviewer stated, "Morningstar has priced itself completely out of the market... Morningstar is dead."

8 reviews mention this

Portfolio Manager

2.0/10

Reviewers frequently mention issues with the portfolio manager, including it being inaccessible, displaying incorrect data, or not syncing properly with brokerage accounts. This unreliability makes it difficult for users to track their investments effectively. A user reported, "As with other subscribers I have been unable to access the portfolio manager for well over a week now. All I get is, 'it’s a known error'. Shocking IT."

7 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

In-depth data and analysis for investment research Mentioned 8x
"Simply the best data provider and client portfolio management tools. More features, more innovations, and great integration."
Helpful in discovering potentially profitable investments Mentioned 4x
"On the positive side, it did help me discover Lithium Argentina, which turned out to be a very profitable investment in a company I had never heard of."

Common Complaints

Frequent website and technical issues Mentioned 45x
"The problem with the company is their website. It is infuriatingly frustrating to use- its portfolio manager is broken over 50% of time when I want to use it."
Unresponsive and unhelpful customer service Mentioned 28x
"Absolutely useless customer support."
Inaccurate or outdated data Mentioned 15x
"Morningstar publishes incorrect data on stocks and takes years to fix problems, if ever."
Problems with subscription cancellations and billing Mentioned 12x
"They continue to charge my credit card for services I cancelled."
Poor website design and user experience Mentioned 10x
"New 'improvements' were the opposite. They have no idea what advisors need."

Common Questions About Morningstar

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is morningstar legit and trustworthy?

While Morningstar is a well-established company, these reviews raise serious concerns about the reliability of its services. Many users report inaccurate data, frequent technical issues, and difficulties with customer service. The numerous complaints about billing irregularities and unauthorized charges further erode trust in the platform. Based on these reviews, it's difficult to recommend Morningstar as a consistently trustworthy resource for investment information.

Based on 45 reviews

Does morningstar have good customer service?

Based on the reviews, Morningstar's customer service is a significant pain point for many users. Reviewers frequently describe it as unresponsive, unhelpful, and difficult to reach. Many report long wait times, unresolved issues, and a lack of follow-up, with some suspecting outsourced support with limited knowledge. The consistent negative feedback suggests that Morningstar's customer service is a major area for improvement.

Based on 28 reviews

Is morningstar worth it for small business?

For small business owners, the value of Morningstar is questionable given the reported issues. The frequent technical problems, data inaccuracies, and poor customer service can be particularly detrimental for businesses that rely on accurate and timely investment information. While some users may find value in Morningstar's data and analysis, the risks associated with its unreliability may outweigh the benefits. Small businesses may be better served by exploring alternative platforms with more consistent performance and better customer support.

Based on 15 reviews

What is morningstar's cancellation policy like?

Morningstar's cancellation policy appears to be a source of frustration for many users. Several reviewers report difficulties canceling their subscriptions and being charged even after cancellation. Some claim that the company auto-renews subscriptions without warning and makes it difficult to obtain refunds for unauthorized charges. These issues suggest that Morningstar's cancellation policy is not customer-friendly and can lead to unexpected financial burdens.

Based on 12 reviews

Why is Morningstar's website so unreliable?

The reviews suggest that Morningstar's website suffers from a combination of outdated technology, inadequate testing, and a lack of investment in maintenance. Many users report frequent technical issues, broken links, slow loading times, and features that don't work as expected. Some speculate that the company prioritizes new features over fixing existing problems, resulting in a consistently unreliable user experience. The lack of attention to website functionality appears to be a major source of dissatisfaction among Morningstar users.

Based on 45 reviews