ETF Screeners

Like search engines, ETF screeners are quick to advertise the total ETF's available for search.  ETFdb lists 1,434, XTF 1,383, and Morningstar 1,374.  All three offer enhanced subscription services.  The subscription services offer ranking systems, model portfolios, research reports, additional statistics such as fund flows and valuation estimates, and enhanced search functionality such as comparison tools (sometimes with additional information) and export to Excel features.  For most ETF research, the important data is offered for free.

The major differences between the sites is the search interface.  All three sites are cumbersome to use at first with none standing out as having a brilliant user interface.  Familiarity will be your best friend.

XTF makes comparing up to six ETF's really easy.  Either enter in the ticker symbols or select up to six ETF's via the ETF explorer.  XTF also provides great pie charts under "Fund Exposure" to graphically show the industry, sector, style, capitalization, and other types of exposure.

ETFdb allows investors to easily locate funds with significant exposure to a particular security.  It really shines if you are looking for an ETF with exposure to a particular country via the "ETF Country Exposure Tool."  This tool makes finding an ETF with the largest exposure to Kazakhstan simple, if you know where to find the country on a map. 

Morningstar didn't stand out other than it was easy to add ETF's to a portfolio, and if you are already familiar with Morningstar, the interface will be easier to use.  In addition, Morningstar offers much more bang for the buck as the monthly subscription fee covers mutual funds, ETF's, CEF's, stocks, and options.       

Site Links:

XTF
ETFdb
Morningstar ETF