TradeStation

US online broker with a desktop trading platform for stocks, options and futures, plus a trading API.

Free plan + paidStock charting and trading platforms

Updated Nov 7, 2026 · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, Web, iOS, Android

Visit TradeStation See 4 alternatives

Is TradeStation free?

Free plan, plus paid plans

Switch from TradeStation to

All 4

Fidelity Trader+
Free
TradingView
Free plan: Yes ($0, no card)
MetaTrader 4
Free

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 4
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About TradeStation

TradeStation is a US brokerage known for its desktop platform aimed at active and technical traders. You can trade stocks, ETFs, options and futures from the desktop app, the web platform or the mobile apps, and the desktop version is where it stands out: detailed charting, market scanners, and EasyLanguage, its own scripting language for writing indicators and automated strategies, with historical backtesting. Developers can use the REST brokerage and market data API to build their own trading tools, and a simulator environment allows paper trading with fake money. Third-party tools such as TradingView can also send orders through a TradeStation account. Stock and ETF trades are commission-free on standard plans, while options and futures carry per-contract fees. The full desktop platform runs on Windows only, so Mac users rely on the web and mobile versions. It suits traders who want to build and test strategies; long-term investors may find it more than they need.

Best for: Active US traders who want to script, backtest and automate strategies on stocks, options and futures.

What works

EasyLanguage scripting for custom indicators and strategies
Stocks, options and futures in one account
REST API with a paper-trading simulator for developers
Orders can be placed from TradingView

Why people leave

Full desktop platform is Windows only
Options and futures carry per-contract fees
Busy interface with a steep learning curve for new investors

TradeStation vs Fidelity Trader+, TradingView and MetaTrader 4

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

Attribute	TradeStation	Fidelity Trader+	TradingView	MetaTrader 4
Pricing	Free plan + paid	Free	Free plan + paid	Free
Verified price	—	—	—	—
Free plan	Yes	Free app	Yes ($0, no card)	Free app
Open source	No	No	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No	No	No
Platforms	Windows, Web, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

Top TradeStation alternatives

See all 4

1
Fidelity Trader+
Fidelity's active-trading platform, a good fit if you want a large full-service broker for retirement accounts too.
64.8
2
TradingView
Browser-based charts and Pine Script strategies that connect to many brokers, including TradeStation.
61.8
3
MetaTrader 4
Widely used platform for scripting and automating forex and CFD strategies through many brokers.
57.5
4
Webull
Commission-free app with solid charts and paper trading, simpler for newer traders than TradeStation's desktop.
51.2

Why people left TradeStation

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from TradeStation, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers

Write a review of TradeStation

Your rating of TradeStation

Name

Never shown publicly. A work email helps us verify you.

Title

Your review

What did you use it for, and what was good or bad? At least 40 characters.

Did you switch from another app?

Why did you leave it?

How can we verify you use it? (optional)

A GitHub username, your company domain, or say you can send a screenshot. Verified reviews count more.

I received money, credit or a gift for writing this review. (Incentivized reviews are shown but don't count toward rankings.)

By submitting, you confirm you're at least 16 and agree to our terms. Your name, rating, review and the date are published; your email isn't. See our privacy policy.

TradeStation: common questions

What is TradeStation?

TradeStation: US online broker with a desktop trading platform for stocks, options and futures, plus a trading API. Best for active US traders who want to script, backtest and automate strategies on stocks, options and futures. Available for Windows, Web, iOS and Android.

Is TradeStation free?

TradeStation has a free plan and paid plans.

Is TradeStation open source?

No, TradeStation is not open source.

What platforms does TradeStation run on?

TradeStation is available for Windows, Web, iOS and Android.

What are the best alternatives to TradeStation?

The highest-ranked TradeStation alternatives right now are Fidelity Trader+, TradingView and MetaTrader 4. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

TradeStation vs Fidelity Trader+: what's the difference?

TradeStation is free with paid plans; Fidelity Trader+ is free to use. Only Fidelity Trader+ runs on macOS.

See all 4 TradeStation alternatives

TradeStation facts

4 of 4 verified

Asset classes (API): Stocks, options, futures; Checked Nov 8, 2026api.tradestation.com(opens source in a new tab); “The TradeStation API supports stocks, options, and futures trading – conveniently providing access to multiple markets under the same interface.”
API: REST brokerage and market data; Checked Nov 8, 2026api.tradestation.com(opens source in a new tab); “About the TradeStation API The TradeStation API is a collection of RESTful brokerage and market data services that can be used to build trading applications.”
TradingView trading: Yes; Checked Nov 8, 2026api.tradestation.com(opens source in a new tab); “With TradeStation’s Web API, TradingView users can trade stocks, ETFs, and futures all from their TradingView account.”
Paper trading API: Yes (SIM environment); Checked Nov 8, 2026api.tradestation.com(opens source in a new tab); “LIVE We also offer a Simulator(SIM) API for "Paper Trading"”