Weiss Ratings has built a reputation as a “data-first” research firm that grades everything from stocks and ETFs to banks and even crypto.
On the surface, it sounds like a smarter, safer way to invest — no hype, just hard numbers.
But here’s the thing: I’ve reviewed hundreds of investment services over the years, and what looks objective on paper doesn’t always deliver in the real world. Some models sound brilliant… until you see how their picks actually perform.
In this review, I’ll break down what Weiss Ratings really offers — where it stands out, where it falls short, and whether it’s worth your time and money.
I’ll also introduce you to my top-rated newsletter — a no-hype service run by a man who’s called more triple-digit (and even quadruple-digit) stock winners than anyone I’ve seen.
See My Top RecommendationWeiss Ratings Review (6 Things to Know Before Joining)
Weiss Ratings takes a different approach than most stock-picking services, and there are a few things that set it apart. To give you a clear picture of what to expect, I’ve broken down the six most important things to know before joining.
(1) What Is Weiss Ratings, and How Does It Work?
Weiss Ratings is a financial research firm founded in 1971 by Dr. Martin Weiss. The company built its reputation on independence, often highlighting the fact that it doesn’t accept payments from the companies it rates.
At the center of Weiss Ratings is a grading system that assigns letter grades (from A = “excellent” to F = “very weak”) across a wide range of investments. This covers:
- Stocks and ETFs: graded for financial strength, growth, and risk.
- Mutual funds: evaluated on performance and stability.
- Banks and credit unions: rated for financial soundness (Weiss gained attention during the 2008 crisis for downgrading major banks before others did).
- Cryptocurrencies: Weiss was the first U.S. financial ratings firm to publish crypto ratings, which made it popular during the 2017 Bitcoin boom.
The appeal of this approach is that it gives investors a quick way to screen for potential opportunities and risks. But it’s also a broad, system-driven model designed to cover thousands of securities at once. For investors who prefer more targeted recommendations and a clear long-term strategy from proven experts, this kind of mass ratings approach may feel less personal.
(2) Who’s Behind Weiss Ratings?
Weiss Ratings was founded by Dr. Martin Weiss, an economist who built the company’s reputation on independence and financial safety analysis. Today, the company has a team of analysts and editors who oversee its different newsletters and research products.
These include long-running services like Safe Money Report and more specialized publications that focus on areas such as technology, disruptor stocks, and crypto.
While Martin Weiss’ name is still attached to the brand, the company now relies on a team of analysts and editors to produce its research. This gives Weiss Ratings the ability to cover a broad range of sectors, from conservative income strategies to fast-moving areas like crypto and tech.
(3) Does Weiss Ratings Have a Good Track Record?
Weiss Ratings has built its reputation on evaluating risk and safety rather than chasing short-term gains. Over the years, the firm has earned recognition for some notable calls.
For example, it warned about the weakness of major banks before the 2008 financial crisis, and later became one of the first U.S. firms to rate crypto during the 2017 boom.
That said, like any publisher, the results vary depending on the service and the editor behind it. Some newsletters, such as Safe Money Report, lean more conservative. While others, like Disruptors & Dominators, focus on high-growth opportunities. This mix has produced both strong winners and recommendations that didn’t work out as well.
Overall, Weiss Ratings can uncover useful insights, especially when it comes to spotting financial risks. But the performance of individual picks depends heavily on the individual service, timing, and market conditions (among other factors).
(4) How Much Does Weiss Ratings Cost?
Weiss’ entry product is Weiss Ratings Plus, a data/alerts platform. It’s typically pitched at $10 per month and includes real-time ratings, alerts, and tools.
Below are the main newsletter services they offer, with the best public pricing I could verify. (Promos vary by funnel, and some premium services only quote prices by phone.)
- Safe Money Report: frequently promoted at $49 for the first year, with a 365-day membership refund guarantee.
- Disruptors & Dominators: $49 (Standard, digital) or $99 (Premium, print + digital), with a 365-day refund guarantee.
- Weiss Crypto Investor: $49 (Standard) or $79 (Premium) for 1 year, also with a 365-day refund guarantee.
High-ticket / premium programs:
- AI Profit Accelerator: listed at $15,000 per year on the official product page.
- Crypto Yield Hunter: recent Weiss sales pages pitch $2,850 for the first year.
- Deal Hunters Alliance (pre-IPO): appears to cost $2,600/year
Other Weiss services (pricing not publicly listed on their product pages):
- Weekend Windfalls (weekly options income).
- Resource Trader (commodities).
- Supercycle Investor (market cycles).
- Weiss Technology Portfolio (AI/tech portfolios).
- Weiss Investor Signals (weekly signal lists + commentary).
Weiss has a low-cost front door (Ratings Plus; $10/mo) and several entry-level letters ($49–$99). However, the real spend comes from premium programs, which collectively cost well into the $10,000s. And many of the prices aren’t listed on the company site, so they could be a lot more.
It’s not like you need to buy all of the upsells to benefit from Weiss Ratings. Not at all. But you should expect to be pitched on some of these if you decide to join.
For the most up-to-date pricing and details, refer to the Weiss Ratings website.
(5) Who Is Weiss Ratings Best Suited For?
Weiss Ratings is best suited for investors who like having a broad, data-driven view of the markets. The ratings system makes it easy to quickly check the relative strength or risk level of thousands of stocks, funds, and even banks or cryptocurrencies. That can be useful for people who prefer doing their own research and want a tool to help screen investments before digging deeper.
It’s also a fit for more cautious investors who place a premium on financial safety and risk management, since that’s an area where Weiss has historically focused much of its attention.
Overall, the Weiss Ratings system is most valuable as a broad research and risk-assessment tool, while its newsletters aim to provide more targeted stock ideas. The quality of those ideas, however, can vary depending on the editor and service you follow.
(6) Is Weiss Ratings Legitimate?
Yes, Weiss Ratings is a legitimate company with a long history in the financial research industry. The firm has earned recognition for its independence, and its grading system has been used by both everyday investors and professionals.
Part of Weiss’ reputation comes from its history of flagging financial risks and being early to cover emerging markets, from banking stability before 2008 to crypto during its first big boom.
That said, Weiss Ratings being legitimate doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone. It can be a useful tool for broad market research and risk assessment, but when it comes to consistent stock-picking results, there are services with stronger long-term track records.
Is There a Better Alternative?
I’ve reviewed hundreds of investment newsletters over the years, and while many are built around big themes and bold predictions, only a small number take a more selective approach to uncovering exceptional opportunities before the crowd catches on.
One analyst whose work has stood the test of time is Mark Skousen.
Skousen is a veteran economist, bestselling author, and former CIA analyst who has spent decades in elite financial circles.
Over the past four decades, he has built a long-standing reputation for spotting major trends and investment opportunities before they become widely recognized.
Right now, Skousen is focused on a little-known SpaceX play that he believes could be like investing in Tesla in the early days, and he just released a new presentation showing how ordinary investors can get positioned early, before the broader market catches on.
Click here to watch the full presentation now (free ticker revealed):
