Best options trading software free

Top 5 Options Tools Free If you're curious about what tools can help you become a better trader look no farther than these top contenders. BigTrends analysts and staff have tested all components to ensure the 'free' claim is warranted and the value is tangible. As an options trader there aren't too many free resources available but BigTrends is always looking for the resources that help you progress as a trader while growing your mental capital. Look for more in-depth reviews of the top options tools in the coming months. As part of our new website we'll be delivering trader tech reviews monthly on anything and everything for traders. We'll be reviewing trading platforms, options tools as well as anything our readers want to see. Start the blog roll now and place your comments below, what do you want to see reviewed? 1. OptionsOracle - The most comprehensive (free) options trading tool out there, Options Oracle, can help traders screen for and visualize options strategies. SamoaSky, the creator of Options Oracle sums up the software well. Elevator Pitch : OptionsOracle is free tool for stock options trading method analysis, built for options traders.' What I like most about OptionsOracle is its ease of use and customizable interface.

The software uses Yahoo! Finance as the data feed by default but you can integrate your brokers live data with a little work. Here's a quick rundown of the best features for options traders. • OPTIONS TRADING SCREENER. • OPTIONS PAIN ANALYSIS. • VOLATILITY SMILE GRAPH. We provided a full review of TrixyCharts on BigTrends. com earlier this year, you can check out the full review here. Price Headley uses TrixyCharts for the Weekly Market Outlook Video found in BigTV. 3. TradeLogger - Many traders lack the money management component in their trading plans.

As a BigTrends coach I see this as the major weakness far too often, TradeLogger is a great resource for traders to help minimize portfolio drawdowns while mitigating the psychological draw downs that accompany periods of system inefficiency. TradeLogger uses the equity curve of your portfolio value to signal when to paper trade or live trade. Equity curve management is covered as a part of our 50 course coaching program, but you can get a jumpstart by using this awesome tool today. Elevator Pitch : An all-in-one trade recorder and equity curve money management system. In its simplicity, TradeLogger keeps a record of your current trading performance and advises you when you should stop trading with live capital, and when to resume trading live. 4. Optionistics. com - If you're in the no-software camp and are looking for a great resource look no further than Optionistics. com. There's some overlap here with OptionsOracle but there is one significant outlying tool that I use. The options price history charts are very useful, just type in the symbol for your option strike and receive a free historical price chart. This is incredibly helpful for two reasons, first it's the only way to retrieve accurate prices for system testing and second its a great way to visualize specific options that are accelerating in value.

Overall Optionistics deserves and entire review unto itself, the amazing tools are vast, from Strike Peggers to Open Interest % Change tools. Don't fret though we know you're a chart fanatic (visual learners unite). here's more visual candy to get the point across. 5. Finviz. com - Rounding out the top five free tools for options traders is a phenomenal stock screener. Finviz (Financial Visualization) provides an unrivaled screener and cool heat maps on the market. From a trading perspective Finviz helps with the FOCUS factor in trading. Many traders seek to trade certain types of stocks based on three main categories Descriptive, Fundamental or Technical. The screener options are second to none. I use the Finviz screener to maintain a core group of stocks and ETFs using a mix of six different conditions. Here's a list of the screens you can start using now. Technical : Performance, 2050200 Day SMA, 20 Day highlow Beta, Average True Range, Volatility, 1 Year highlow, Gaps. Today's Heatmap for SP500. What are you waiting for, start using these tools now to become a better trader tomorrow!

Best Options Trading Brokers and Platforms. NerdWallet offers financial tools and advice to help people understand their options and make the best possible decisions. The guidance we offer and info we provide are deeply researched, objective and independent. We spent over 300 hours reviewing the top online brokers before selecting the best for our readers. And to help you find the one that’s best for you, we’ve highlighted their pros, cons and current offers. Who is the best options broker today? The answer depends on whom you ask and what they value. For some investors, the best broker for trading options is the one with the cheapest commissions. Others prioritize trading tools, platform design, research, customer service or all of the above. While most of the brokers on our best-of list below would be a good, all-encompassing choice for many investors, we’ve also highlighted the standout candidates in specific areas that matter most to options traders. Unsure what you’re looking for? See how to choose an options broker for more on what can make or break an options trading experience. Summary: Best online stock brokers for options trading.

Best for low-cost. Best options trading platform. Best for research and education. Best overall for options trading. Our top picks cover all the option trader needs — access to high-quality research, analytical tools, a user-friendly platform — at reasonable prices. TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers earn high marks for options investors for their advanced trading platforms, deep bench of research and tools, plus their high-caliber options trading capabilities. TD Ameritrade handily serves option traders no matter where they are on the learning curve. The broker’s thinkorswim platform offers a robust options trading experience for active investors seeking professional-grade tools to identify trading opportunities, analyze potential risks and rewards, test trade strategies and quickly place even the most complex options trades. The broker’s web-based Trade Architect platform is for investors just getting into options or those who don’t require a high-octane platform. Its stripped-down, easy-to-use interface won’t overwhelm newbies. And although Trade Architect isn’t as fully stocked with tools and data as thinkorswim, it’s no slouch, either. Intermediate investors will find advanced features like a marketoptions heat map, screening and tradefinder tools, and streaming news.

Get details in our TD Ameritrade review. For cost-conscious, active options traders looking for low costs and a platform with a lot more meat on its bones, Interactive Brokers may be more your style. Interactive Brokers charges just 70 cents per contract with no base fee ($1 minimum order), plus discounts for larger volumes, if you can manage the $10,000 account minimum. Its Trader Workstation platform (with an options method lab) is considered one of the best and most sophisticated around. But watch other fees to ensure that the lower commissions pay off. Both brokers allow prospective clients to test-drive the goods without putting any real money on the line. TD Ameritrade offers a paperMoney virtual trading account to test out the thinkorswim platform. At Interactive Brokers, once customers open a real account (which has a $10,000 minimum funding requirement), they can set up a paper trading account that offers them hands-on practice using IB’s Trader Workstation platform and tools. Best brokers for low-cost options trading. These brokers offer competitively priced options trading commissions and have eliminated or dramatically capped minimum trading fees. In early 2017 most of the mainstream online brokers slashed commissions to levels once reserved for their deep-discount peers.

That doesn’t mean that they’re the best deal in town for every investor. For active options traders, eOption earns five stars from NerdWallet for its low options trade commissions. The company charges a fixed $3 base plus 15 cents per contract. Another plus: eOption is known for having some of the lowest margin rates available. Although eOption charges a $50 annual inactivity fee on accounts that have placed fewer than two trades in the past 12 months or have less than $10,000 in credit or debit balances, the minimum trade workaround isn’t onerous, even for infrequent traders. Charles Schwab’s trade commission of $4.95 base rate plus 65 cents per contract puts it within spitting distance of deep-discount peers. Schwab recently fully took over the old OptionsXpress and incorporated that broker’s options experience into its own platform, with both web-based and mobile functionality. Commissions aren’t the only costs associated with trading options. Platform, data and other fees can quickly cancel out what you save on commissions. See our full reviews of Charles Schwab and eOption for details on what they offer. For those simply looking for a cheap way to execute options trades, Charles Schwab and eOption get the job done.

Best options trading platforms. These brokers offer some of the most powerful trading platforms available for a reasonable price. Judging a broker’s trading platform by the number of features it offers is like buying a car based solely on what you read in the dealer brochure. While all investors have their must-have features, what’s more important is how the platform feels when it’s in their hands. The trading platforms at Ally Invest and TradeStation offer a wide variety of analytical tools, provide stable and speedy trade execution, and allow investors to customize the tools and design to best suit their needs. Unlike TradeStation, Ally Invest (formerly TradeKing) is technically a deep discount broker as reflected in its commissions (options traders pay a $4.95 base plus 65 cents per contract with only one base charge per spread), $0 account minimum and free access to research and data. Frequent traders (those who place 30 or more trades per quarter or who carry a balance of $100,000 or more) pay a discounted $3.95 base and 50 cents per contract. But don’t be fooled by the lower prices: Customers get a lot of platform power for free. Ally is suitable for newer options investors. The browser-based platform resembles the offerings of its pricier competitors and comes with free options trading tools for screening and advanced charting. Navigation is easy and streamlined. Customers can create a custom dashboard with movable modules with the data and features they want to use. The setup extends to what users see across all devices, including mobile and tablet. TradeStation is best left to more experienced, tech-savvy investors who want to experience options trading using the same tools as pro traders.

The broker provides all the tools needed to design, test-drive, monitor, automate and speedily execute the most complex trades via direct-market access (no pesky middleman to slow down the process). Its OptionsStation Pro platform is fully integrated into TradeStation’s regular trading platform. An added bonus is the broker’s active investor forums, where traders discuss ideas, ask questions and get help. Access to all of TradeStation’s bells and whistles used to come at a steep $99.95 monthly platform fee for those who didn’t meet account balance or trading activity minimums. But in March 2017 TradeStation eliminated the service fee, lowered its trade commissions for stocks and options and tossed in free real-time market data and free access to its market-monitoring and portfolio-level back-testing tools. Educational tools and platform tutorials are plentiful, which is a plus: Because of the sophisticated nature of the platform, it may require some time to become familiar with all that it offers. See more in our TradeStation review. Best research and options trading education. Both offer extensive research and data for free, as well as live classes and webinars for beginning and advanced options traders. If you’re new to options trading or want to expand your trading strategies, a broker that devotes its resources to research and customer education is a must. Because Schwab and Fidelity each have offices across the country in addition to their online options education libraries, they’re able to offer in-person guidance and free seminars on how to trade options, as well as one-on-one guidance on using the tools each platform offers. Fidelity’s constantly refreshed library draws from more than 20 providers, including Recognia, Ned Davis, S&P Capital IQ and McLean Capital Management.

The full suite is available to customers when they sign into the broker’s web-based platform. And you don’t have to stop digging when you’re away from your computer: Fidelity has a strong mobile app that lets customers access the company’s full suite of research through a mobile browser. Charles Schwab’s options trading capabilities and lineup of trading data and research got a big boost as the company integrated its purchase of OptionsXpress. In October Schwab re-launched its online platform under the StreetSmart name, with both web-based and mobile functionality, though for now only former OptionsXpress clients have access to the new platform. In the first quarter of 2018, Schwab will begin rolling out the new platform to all clients. While the platform name is changing, Schwab still provides a fully realized suite of offerings for options traders, including trade assessment tools, customizable screeners, access to Schwab analyst options-market commentary, live online webinars and pre-recorded seminars. Best brokers for beginner options investors. These brokers provide ideal conditions (educational resources, user-friendly platforms, customer support and low minimums) for investors just learning the options trading ropes. TD Ameritrade — one of our top overall brokers — ranked highest in this category, too. But since there are many types of beginners with many different preferences, instead of highlighting the category champions we’ve focused on brokers that are excellent candidates in three key areas: Low minimum opening balance requirements. Ally Invest, TD Ameritrade, Merrill Edge: If you’re not yet ready to devote a lot of your capital to options trading, you don’t want to tie up much in an account to meet the minimum. Many of the brokers on our list require no money to open an account.

However, industry regulations require that traders maintain a $2,000 minimum to trade options. Strong customer support. Scottrade and TD Ameritrade: On-call help is particularly handy when starting out. One way to test a broker’s level of service is to contact the company with any questions you have about its option trading offerings before you even open an account. Scottrade is known for its standout customer service and huge physical presence of 500 branches. So is TD Ameritrade, with around-the-clock phone and email support and 100 branches where clients can attend seminars and meet with investment associates. At the end of 2017, TD’s acquisition of Scottrade will be complete, increasing each broker’s ability to serve clients. User-friendly platforms. Ally, Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade: There’s nothing better than test-driving a broker’s platform before you commit. Check to see if the broker you’re considering offers paper trading (virtual trading on a platform that mimics the real deal) or contact customer service to see if they will set you up with a demo account. As for brokers discussed in this review, Ally Invest’s browser-based platform is intuitive and easy to customize. And both Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade have multiple platforms customers can use to start learning the ropes, then graduate to more sophisticated tools and trades if desired. Best options trading brokers: summary. Updated June 30, 2017.

Disclaimer: NerdWallet has entered into referral and advertising arrangements with certain broker-dealers under which we receive compensation (in the form of flat fees per qualifying action) when you click on links to our partner broker-dealers andor submit an application or get approved for a brokerage account. At times, we may receive incentives (such as an increase in the flat fee) depending on how many users click on links to the broker-dealer and complete a qualifying action. The Best Options Trading Simulators in 2016. If you’ve been in the investing game for a little while now you may have overheard at least one person mention the term “options trading” at one point or another. That’s because many savvy investors understand the lucrative potential they possess. There's really no use in learning about options unless you take action. I recommend you First go ahead and sign up for a trading account at OptionsHouse . Then you'll actually get to make some money from all the knowledge you get from reading this article. Before diving into the exciting and complex world of options, you might be wondering what exactly options are. The short answer is that they’re a type of security, a binding contract that allows the owner to sell an underlying asset at a certain price within a certain amount of time.

They have great versatility but come with strict terms and conditions. And while there are many strategies for buying, selling, and trading options, even those with working knowledge of the market is at risk of losing serious amounts of money. Pros and Cons of Options Trading. If you’re knowledge of the market is extensive, that risk becomes less of a threat. However, just know that options trading will not make you rich overnight either. The benefit here versus stock trading is that transactions will typically require less capital. And while they may see smaller returns, they will be greater percentage-wise than returns on stocks. Another factor to consider is that their profit oftentimes is directly correlated to their contract’s premium, and the potential for loss can be large. Leverage also means that returns can be potentially significant and the amount of money required is, on average, smaller than with stock transactions. However, options trading may not be for everyone but they are some of the most flexible choices you can make investment-wise.

Potentially, they can either protect or even enhance your portfolio, depending on whether you’re the kind of investor who treds in rising, falling, or neutral markets. That’s why a serious investors will trade options using a simulator in order to sharpen their skills. By giving users an exact simulation of current market conditions, along with real-time analytics, individuals looking to learn options trading without risking money can do so with any one of these great platforms we’ve listed below. Users will hone their craft through a form of paper trading, where, upon receiving makeshift currency, they participate in virtual options trading and set up their up very own trading account. But while many options brokers create these with their very own options trading software, many can be suboptimal and downright inaccurate in terms of emulating genuine market conditions. With so many choices out there, it can be difficult finding the a well rounded simulator. That’s why I’ve taken the time in order to compile a list of what I believe to be the most useful ones. So without further ado, I present you with the best options trading simulators in 2016. We’ll start off our list with one of the best stock market simulators out there. Investopedia is a great company that can immediately get you started on options trading. The tool allows you to instantly create your own options simulator game, albeit not the most expedited process, customize your contest, and invite whomever you like to participate.

Their simulator is a great learning aid and has an intuitive user experience with a good trading feature to boot. In addition, they offer many guides to familiarize yourself with the process if you’re a beginner. To get your feet wet today, be sure to give Investopedia’s simulator a look. Another well-known institution in the world of trading is OptionsXpress. Their simulator is called Virtual Trade offers great insights that allow you to learn the basics of options trading in an all-encompassing environment. With Virtual Trader, you can put your strategies to the test under real market conditions. They offer many features such as an initial $25,000 of practice money in your paper trading account, real-time quotes and charts, over forty innovative trading tools, advanced ordering tools, and an in-depth Education Center that offers free training and how-to guides for traders of all experience levels. Pro-tip: OptionsXpress requires a large amount of personal information when signing up. Wall Street Survivor. Wall Street Survivor separates itself from the competition by giving you the choice of utilizing your option spreads within your trade method. They also offer a free setup and a mobile app so you can trade on the go. The company puts a lot of emphasis on the educational aspect of options trading, granting its users access to free articles, guides, and real instructors to expand your knowledge. In addition they provide educational tools on a variety of other topics and provide you with quizzes to put your skills to the test.

Their trading simulator starts you off at $100,000 in virtual currency, and once you’re ready to take the next step, you can enter competitions through the simulator itself. One example is that one month, the top three investors who earned the most with the practice money given to them will receive prize payouts in real money. Virtual Stock Exchange. Market Watch’s Virtual Stock Exchange’s trading simulator might not look the most glamorous, but their bareboned interface offers great ways to elevate your skills in options trading. It’s also surprising that with such a modest layout, Virtual Stock Exchange allows its users to connect to their personal Facebook accounts and begin the trading process immediately. The program allows you to trade in real-time with your virtual portfolio, discuss strategies with other users within your game, and provide the option to customize and create either public or private games. One thing to note is that Virtual Stock Exchange does not allow trades under $2.00, so keep that information in mind before entering. Pro-tip: If you are looking for a advanced level day trader simulator check out this one out from MarketWatch. The Options Industry Council (OIC) The OIC is a group whose sole purpose is dedicating itself to bettering the education of individuals, including investors, advisors, and managers. In addition to their core program, they provide many learning tools such as a multi-part overview of how options work, detailing the benefits and risks of trading, and courses on options pricing. Additionally, their comprehensive website offers seminars, on-demand videos, and even events you can attend. Their trading simulator differs in that users do not use virtual currency but rather the OIC uses a Position Simulator that explains what affects the price of options and uses a mathematical formula with specific inputs to calculate the new price. Because of this, the OIC does not provide a traditional simulator but offers a sophisticated online calculator that can price American stock options given the specified data. A great, proactive learning environment and extremely user-friendly.

How The Market Works. Similar to the Options Industry Council, How The Market Works is another educational company that teaches aspiring investors about their namesake. Their sophisticated options trading software has put their simulator on the map, where it’s currently used by over 350,000 individuals worldwide along with 10,000 high school and middle schools every year. And like with all simulators, How The Market Works teaches you how to invest in the market through trading games online, creating a virtual portfolio using real-time market conditions. The company’s simulator differs from others on this list due to its in-depth environment and numerous features. The program allows users to access Forex portfolios, penny stocks, and mutual funds in both the US and Canadian markets. With their simulator, you can have up to three stock and Forex portfolios and start between $100 to $500,000, They also offer contests each month within different formats, such as penny stocks or short sells, and offers prize payouts. OptionsHouse is a broker that offers the unique feature of using their platform before starting a paper trading account with them. They have what it takes to compete with the industry’s finest due to their efficiency, product quality, and fantastic user-experience interface. Their intuitive platform and functionality provide investors of all levels the tools they need to succeed.

Their virtual trading feature is a great way for amateur investors to woodshed their skills and compete with the pros. It’s easy to find quotes and their filing system allows the user to create notes after each trade. Back in 2015, OptionsHouse also expanded their chart trading feature which conveniently allows you to adjust trades onto the actual chart. You can also see and review an order ticket that’s already filled out before submitting your trade. Their charts also contain all of your past buys and sells, something many other brokers don’t offer. What Else To Look For. Now that you’re better informed of the various brokers that offer options trader simulators, there’s just a few more things we need to review before you begin your exciting new paper trading career. In the process of choosing the broker with the best online simulator, be aware that you’re looking for a multi-level platform that give you things beyond just the numbers. By that I mean a platform that gives you reports analyzing and detailing the ‘how’ and ‘why’ a price changed. Another aspect to consider are the overlying factors affecting an option’s price. It’s very important that you find a medium that is not only fast and efficient but also analytical enough to improve your trading method. Furthermore, analytical reports are a great way to track your own progress as you make your way through the learning process.

Along with numbers, things such as line and bar graphs and charts, along with growth and loss indicators, are crucial as they should reflect actual reports and explanations explaining why certain options prices rose or fell. While analytics is a key factor in your decision-making process, you must also consider their software and its features. Probably even more important for beginners, finding software that’s sophisticated, yet user-friendly, is a great combination for when you finally practice options trading yourself. Tutorials are always a good feature to have and help buttons can offer immediate assistance when you can’t figure out something yourself. Additionally, each trading simulator offers different features so always be prepared to consider what truly motivates you when you finally make your choice. If it’s the thrill of the market and your competitive nature that drives you to becoming a better investor, find a broker that offers games and competitions. That way not only are you furthering your own growth in this field but you’re enjoying yourself as well. The gaming aspect of options trading is a great way of gauging how you fair with the rest of the competition while earning real prizes and money along the way. If furthering your own financial knowledge seems more appealing to you, then be sure to direct your attention to the educational materials a broker offers in addition to their simulators. Theory is just as important as practice and if you feel you need to expand your knowledge some more before getting your feet wet then be sure to find a broker that offers extensive articles, guides, and even videos that teach you about the subject matter. For even further assistance, look for a platform that not only gives you tutorials but will interact with you in real-time.

Many of these will not only give you the literature to learn more about options trading but they will also offer suggestions for trading based on current market conditions and trends. The flipside to this is that these recommendations tend to be a little bit “by-the-book” so if you are testing out a new method you should take these with a grain of salt. With all this information under your belt, you are now more fully-equipped to choose a simulator that suits your needs and style of investment. The key is to take small steps in achieving your goals and don’t get frustrated if you’re not seeing positive returns right away. These simulators are a safe place to make mistakes as well, so the decisions you make in these versus real world conditions may vary. Just make decisions as if you were actually spending money. With that said, I wish you luck on your newest venture in options trading. No related posts. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE. Top 10 Explosive Penny Stocks to Invest In 2017 (Hot Picks) Methods For Building And Repairing Credit. 3 Best Small Business Credit Cards for 2017.

Popular Categories. Tom Smallwood. Tom is a former accountant turned entrepreneur. He is not a financial adviser but does tend to give a lot of financial advice to his friends and colleagues. He currently runs a small online venture and blogs about his research and experiences. The Best Technical Analysis Trading Software. There are those who say a day trader is only as good as his charting software. While that's debatable, it's certainly true that a key part of a trader's job – like a radiologist's – involves interpreting data on a screen in fact, day trading as we know it today wouldn't exist without market software and electronic trading platforms. A lot of software applications are available from brokerage firms and independent vendors claiming varied functions to assist traders. Most brokerages offer trading software, armed with a variety of trade, research, stock screening and analysis functions, to individual clients when they open a brokerage account. In fact, the bundled software applications – which also boast bells-and-whistles like in-built technical indicators, fundamental analysis numbers, integrated applications for trade automations, news, and alert features – often act as part of the firm's sales pitch in getting you to sign up. Much of the software is complimentary some of it may cost extra, as part of a premium package a lot of it, invariably, claims that it contains "the best stock charts" or "the best free trading platform.

" Fact: There is no single best stock chart, or best stock screener software. There are too many markets, trading strategies and personal preferences for that. But we can examine some of the most widely-used trading software out there and compare their features. Whether their utility justifies their price points is your call. MetaStock : One of the most popular stock trading software applications, MetaStock offers more than 300 technical indicators, built-in drawing tools like Fibonacci retracement to complement technical indicators, integrated news, fundamental data with screening and filtering criteria, and global markets coverage across multiple assets: equities, derivatives, forex, futures and commodities. Both its MetaStock Daily Charts Subscription and its MetaStock Real Time packages (especially geared for day traders) include its highly praised stock charts software. Worden TC2000 : If you are interested exclusively in U. S and Canadian stocks and funds, then TC2000 offers a good solution. Features include stock charts, watch lists, alerts, instant messaging, news, scanning, and sorting. TC2000 offers fundamental data coverage, more than 70 technical indicators with 10 drawing tools, and an easy-to-use trading interface, as well as a backtesting function on historical data. It does not, however, offer automated trading tools, and asset classes are limited to stocks, funds, and ETFs.

eSignal : Another popular stock trading system offering research capabilities, eSignal trading tool has different features depending upon the package. It has global coverage across multiple asset classes including stocks, funds, bonds, derivatives, and forex. eSignal scores high on trade management interface with news and fundamental figures coverage, and its stock charts software allows for a lot of customization. Available technical indicators appear to be limited in number and come with backtesting and alert features. NinjaTrader : An integrated trading and charting software system, providing end-to-end solution from order entry to execution with customized development options and third-party library integration compatible for 300+ add-on products, NinjaTrader is one of the commonly used research and trading platforms. It's especially geared to futures and forex traders. While not a free trading platform, costs can be as low as $.53 per contract, and commission rebates are not uncommon. Apart from the usual technical indicators (100+), fundamentals, charting, and research tools, it also offers a useful trade simulator, enabling risk-free trade learning for budding traders. Wave59 PRO2: Offering advanced level products for experienced traders, Wave59 PRO2 offers high-end functionality, including "hive technology artificial intelligence module, market astrophysics, system testing, integrated order execution, pattern building and matching, the Fibonacci vortex, a full suite of Gann-based tools, training mode, and neural networks," to quote the website. EquityFeed Workstation : One prominently highlighted feature of the EquityFeed Workstation is a stock hunting tool called "FilterBuilder"– built upon huge number of filtering criteria that enables traders to scan and select stocks per their desired parameter advocates claim it's some of the best stock screening software around. Level 2 market data is also available, and coverage includes OTC and PinkSheet markets. However, it offers limited technical indicators and no backtesting or automated trading.

Its product-specific search tools like ETFView, SectorView, etc. rank among the best stock screening software. And it even offers free trading platforms – during the two-week trial period, that is. ProfitSource : Targeted at active, short-term traders with precise entry and exit strategies, ProfitSource claims to have an edge with complex technical indicators, especially Elliot Wave analysis and backtesting functionality with more than 40+ automated technical indicators built in. Its asset class coverage spans across equities, forex, options, futures, and funds at the global level. VectorVest : With trading platforms and analytics software that cover different geographic regions (for the U. S., UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Europe, Hong Kong, India, and South Africa), VectorVest is the one for the intercontinental crowd. Its program offers comprehensive coverage for common technical indicators across major stocks and funds all around the world. VectorVest also offers strong backtesting capabilities, customization, real-time filtering, watch lists, and charting tools. INO MarketClub : For users specifically looking for charting software, INO’s MarketClub offers technical indicators, trend lines, quantitative analysis tools, and filtering functionality integrated with a charting and trading system – not just stocks, but futures, forex, ETFs and precious metals. The decision to go beyond free trading platforms and pay extra for software should be based on the product functionality best fitting your trading needs. You can often test-drive for nothing: Many market software companies offer no-cost trial periods, sometimes for as long as five weeks. Novice traders who are entering the trading world can select software applications that have a good reputation with required basic functionality at a nominal cost – perhaps a monthly subscription instead of outright purchase – while experienced traders can explore individual products selectively to meet their more specific criteria. Products. Serious Tools for Serious Option Traders.

Option Workbench enables you to seek success in the options markets by giving you the potential to analyze volatility, risk and trading strategies like never before. Unlike programs that focus primarily on execution or position management, Option Workbench gives you the tools to perform sophisticated pre-trade analyses. It uses data from The method Zone database to help you analyze the Greeks of a position, find trading opportunities, compare strategies and increase your profit and win ratios. How Option Workbench Can Help You Find Potentially Winning Opportunities. Option Workbench has a unique advantage: its access to the method Zone database. This access enables Option Workbench to use the method Zone’s invaluable data on stock, index, and futures options including trading candidates for covered writes, naked put sales, straddle buys and calendar spreads. Option Workbench provides you with data and tools for analyzing: Daily historical volatility Implied volatility extremes and skews Unusual volume reports Expected returns And other drivers of option dynamics. It integrates key pricing and volatility data into a single table that presents a profile of the option market for each stock, index and future covered. Extensive sorting and filtering capabilities allow you to dissect the data in numerous ways so you can zero in on trading opportunities. Once you identify a promising option profile, you can further investigate the option’s details with Option Workbench’s tools. Introducing Option Workbench 4.0! The latest release of Option Workbench has a new look and feel and contains a ton of new features and options including earnings data, position editor enhancements, position creation, position management and a portfolio monitor. Click here for a more detailed explanation or watch the video below. Click here to watch more Option Workbench tutorials » Option Workbench Tools. The following is an overview of the various Option WorkBench tools.

The Dashboard has three sections: the latest market commentary from the method Zone, the IV (Implied Volatility) Histogram and the VIX (Volatility Index) Term Structure chart. The IV Histogram provides a broad-spectrum richcheap analysis of the equity, ETF and index options markets. The IV Histogram is an important first step in deciding how to apply the powerful Option Workbench filters to option profiles. The VIX Term Structure chart shows the values of spot VIX and VIX futures prices. The VIX Term Structure is an important indicator of the option market’s short-term view of equity prices. The Option Pricing Sheet. The option pricing sheet is a unique display of option data similar to reports used by floor traders. It shows a matrix of rows containing option prices, implied volatility and Greeks grouped by strike price, and columns with calls and puts grouped by expiration dates. This layout allows you to view more data at a glance than the collapsible single-month layouts used by most broker pricing screens, accelerating your analyses and decisions. You can use the most recent market data by editing the underlying price as well as each option price and implied volatility cell. Doing so automatically recalculates the option Greeks. The Implied Volatility Chart. This chart presents a graphical view of the implied volatility smile for each expiration date. It enables you to identify a potentially profitable skew at a glance.

You can select what the chart shows, such as the range of low and high strikes and the IV that is charted – the call IV, the put IV or the average of the call and put IVs. The Expected Return Calculator. The expected return calculator is at the core of the risk analysis capabilities of Option Workbench. Given a specific volatility profile, there are often many strategies that meet a given set of criteria. The expected return calculator gives you a formidable set of tools that enable you to compare and contrast different spreads with respect to potential profit and risk. With the sophisticated volatility scenario analysis tools, you can test your predictions of future volatility and their effect on your strategies. The Volatility Study. The volatility study provides you with a unique perspective on closing price movement and volatility. Its upper chart displays a traditional close price line graph, augmented with a bar chart that shows how many standard deviations the price changed from the previous close price. The number of standard deviations is calculated based on your choice of the 20-, 50- or 100-day historical volatility. The lower chart shows the time series of the currently selected statistical volatility and the option’s composite implied volatility. Together, these tools constitute a powerful means for analyzing volatility. They give you advanced capabilities to determine the risks associated with different options trading strategies and to find profitable trading opportunities.

method Zone Included. A subscription to Option Workbench includes access to The method Zone database , automatic updates and membership in the LinkedIn Option Workbench group. If you are currently a method Zone subscriber and convert to Option Workbench we will issue a prorated refund for your remaining method Zone days. Praise for Option Workbench. Mark B., Seattle, WA. Option Worbkench is not currently available for purchase. Unfortunately, the product is not currently available to new enrollees as the product is undergoing maintenance. In the meantime, we have formed a relationship with the award winning OptionVue Systems Software. OptionVue has been a leader in developing and providing options trading and analysis software since 1983 and we have always been impressed with the analytics and features in their software. OptionVue normally offers a 14-day trial, but you can order the special McMillan 30-day trial by clicking the link below: Trading or investing whether on margin or otherwise carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all persons. Leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade or invest you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and ability to tolerate risk.

The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment or even more than your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading and investing, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Testimonials*: Testimonials are believed to be true based on the representations of the persons providing the testimonials, but facts stated in testimonials have not been independently audited or verified. Nor has there been any attempt to determine whether any testimonials are representative of the experiences of all persons using the methods described herein or to compare the experiences of the persons giving the testimonials after the testimonials were given. You should not necessarily expect the same or similar results. Performance Results: Past performance results for advisory services and educational products are shown for illustration and example only, and are hypothetical. HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE MANY INHERENT LIMITATIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN. IN FACT, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND THE ACTUAL RESULTS SUBSEQUENTLY ACHIEVED BY ANY PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM. ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS IS THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY PREPARED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. IN ADDITION, HYPOTHETICAL TRADING DOES NOT INVOLVE FINANCIAL RISK, AND NO HYPOTHETICAL TRADING RECORD CAN COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL RISK IN ACTUAL TRADING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND LOSSES OR TO ADHERE TO A PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM IN SPITE OF TRADING LOSSES ARE MATERIAL POINTS WHICH CAN ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE MARKETS IN GENERAL OR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY SPECIFIC TRADING PROGRAM WHICH CANNOT BE FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PREPARATION OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND ALL OF WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. © 2015 The Option Strategist | McMillan Analysis Corporation. OptionsOracle. OptionsOracle is free tool for stock options trading method analysis, built for options traders. OptionsOracle is a powerful tool that allows testing of different options strategies using real-time options and stock-market information. The tool provides an easy interface to build a stockoptions position and then test it using graphs and analytical tools. Comments. Please add a comment explaining the reasoning behind your vote. balaji iyer Like this program for its calendar options. Products.

Welcome to Larry McMillan's Free Learning and Analysis Tools section, your destination for option education and trading resources including free option data and software to aide you in your option trading. Dictionary. Free Option Glossary - A comprehensive list of option-oriented terms and their definitions. Educational WebinarsVideos. The Various Volatilities - A one hour plus discussion on the similarities and differences between Historical Volatility, Future Predicted Volatility and the all important Implied Volatility. An Introduction to The Greeks - A one hour plus seminar explaining how your option positions will react to changes in price, time, volatility, etc. Profit with Delta Neutral Positions - Learn how to increase profits and reduce risk with this simple yet effective method. A Beautiful Equation - A video detailing the formula for putcall parity that keeps the pricing of options in line. Probability and Expected Value - Learn to determine the optimal way to allocate your investment capital. Neutralizing Greeks - Learn to put on the option position you really want with this one hour seminar by head McMillan Mentoring director Stan Freifeld. Binary Options: The ByRDs Are Coming - an hour presentation by Stan Freifeld on the soon-to-be-listed Binary Return Derivatives. Binary Options: The ByRDs Are Coming Part 2 - The second part to the Binary Return Derivitaves webinar. Early Exercise: Strengthen Your Position - Stan Freifeld discusses the different classes of exchange traded options and answers questions reagarding early exercise.

Exploring Calendar Spreads - It s About Time! - Stan Freifeld illustrates several of the nuances of the essential option method. Educational Articles. Option Trading Guidelines - An insightful article containing various guidelines that will generally keep you out of trouble, increase your efficiency of capital, and hopefully improve your chances of making money with options. Which Option To Buy - An article explaining what contract is best in various option-buying situations. About Put-Call Ratios - A helpful article detailing this powerful sentiment based contrarian indicator. Covered Call Writing: Why Cash-Based Put Selling is Superior - An article explaining why we prefer put-selling over the traditional covered writing. About Our Volatility Data - An instructional guide to our historical volatility, implied volatility, and composite implied volatility percentile data. Volatility Skew Information - An article explaining the different types of volatility skews and how you should trade them. Using The Probability Calculator to Analyze Naked Put-Sales - Lean how our Monte Carlo Simulation software can aid in choosing what puts to sell.

Why Trade “The Market”? Just Trade “Volatility” Instead! - An article explaining why predicting volatility is more feasible than prediciting prices. Neutrality: It works for the Swiss - An article taken from the very first Option Strategist Newsletter covering the benefits of delta neutral option trading. Futures Options Take The Sting Out of Limit Moves - Learn how to hedge limit futures contract moves by hedging with equivalent futures options positions. Exiting a Put For Parity Near Expiration - A helpful article detailing what to do with your in-the-money puts at expiration and what to watch out for. Four Eye-Opening Facts About Naked Put Selling - an article detailing the benefits of this simple-yet-effective method. Calculators. Covered Call Writing Calculator - Calculate the rate of return in your cash or margin covered write positions. Free Probability Calculator - Calculate stock market probabilities with this easy to use Monte Carlo simulation program. Free Volatility Data - Historical Volatility data, Implied Volatility data, and the Current Implied Volatility Percentile for all stock, index and futures options updated weekly. Weekly Charts - S&P 500 (SPX), CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX), 21-Day Equity Only Put Call Ratio (PC21), and Weighted 21-Day Equity Only Put Call Ratio (PC21 w) charts updated each Friday.

Option Workbench Tutorials - These recordings of the "Intro to Option WorkBench" and "Advanced Risk Analysis Using Option Workbench" webinars will help users understand and use the powerful Option Wokbench software. Trading or investing whether on margin or otherwise carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all persons. Leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade or invest you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and ability to tolerate risk. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment or even more than your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading and investing, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Testimonials*: Testimonials are believed to be true based on the representations of the persons providing the testimonials, but facts stated in testimonials have not been independently audited or verified. Nor has there been any attempt to determine whether any testimonials are representative of the experiences of all persons using the methods described herein or to compare the experiences of the persons giving the testimonials after the testimonials were given. You should not necessarily expect the same or similar results. Performance Results: Past performance results for advisory services and educational products are shown for illustration and example only, and are hypothetical. HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE MANY INHERENT LIMITATIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW.

NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN. IN FACT, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND THE ACTUAL RESULTS SUBSEQUENTLY ACHIEVED BY ANY PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM. ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS IS THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY PREPARED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. IN ADDITION, HYPOTHETICAL TRADING DOES NOT INVOLVE FINANCIAL RISK, AND NO HYPOTHETICAL TRADING RECORD CAN COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL RISK IN ACTUAL TRADING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND LOSSES OR TO ADHERE TO A PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM IN SPITE OF TRADING LOSSES ARE MATERIAL POINTS WHICH CAN ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE MARKETS IN GENERAL OR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY SPECIFIC TRADING PROGRAM WHICH CANNOT BE FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PREPARATION OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND ALL OF WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. © 2015 The Option Strategist | McMillan Analysis Corporation.