Leaving Tradestation, so have to find new charting platform or brokerage platform. Right now I am running Easylanguge script to use Data1,Data2and data3 on same window to make trades. Using algo is a must but not necessarily Easylanguge. Any suggestions?
Can you help answer these questions from other members on futures io?
Others who are familiar with the EasyLanguage world will know more than I do, but I believe that your other alternative, as a platform using EasyLanguage, is MultiCharts. Unlike TradeStation, it is useable with a large variety of brokers. I did a simple Google search and found their web site and the list of supported brokers, which is very large: https://www.multicharts.com/features/brokers/ (Many platforms are available with different brokers; TS is in the minority in essentially locking you into their brokerage as well as their charting platform, although it is not unique in this. NinjaTrader, for example, does essentially the same thing. But many do not.)
I am not at all certain that the implementation of EasyLanguage is fully compatible between TS and MC, however. There are many EasyLanguage-using traders on FIO who will be able to tell you more about that.
You say that "using algo is a must, but not necessarily EasyLanguage." Now, this opens up a wide range of questions. First, many platforms will do algos; second, they will implement them in their own language and will have their own functionality. If you currently have algos in EL that you depend on, translating them into a different target platform and language may be a difficult task, at least until you are either proficient in the new environment of can locate a resource to assist you.
So when you say that algo is a must, you will not have any trouble finding platforms that will do any algo you like, but learning how to do it in that platform is going to be another matter.
At this point, it would be helpful to refine your needs/interests/preferences a little better than simply "has algo, not TradeStation." Almost every single one that is not TradeStation will fit that bill.
But, since you may need some starting points, a couple of others, besides MultiCharts, would be (and this is not an exhaustive list, just a couple that I know well):
- NinjaTrader - it does have it own brokerage, and is only available on a few others. The programming language (C#, with a lot of functionality unique to NT) is not particularly like EL, but it is capable and people do create algos in it. It has some tools for creating them (their word for "algos" is "strategies".) You will have some learning to do, however, but there are many who can help you.
- Sierra Chart - it is available on a wide range of brokers. The programming language is C++, again with its own functionality, and the learning curve is generally regarded as steep. (And it is.) It is also blazing fast and highly flexible, just hard to master.
I used TS many, many years ago, and I know it has changed since then. I have used both NT and SC and frankly regard them very favorably compared to EL, but I don't think that as a practical matter using either of them is going to make you any more money, which is the real point. I think that other issues, including the ease of use of the environment and the platform, and your satisfaction with the brokerage, will be more important.
I hope this will help a little, and that others will step in with their suggestions. The most important thing is that you need to be clear about what you are looking for. Essentially, there are many possible solutions, so if you can say more about what you are after, it will help in suggesting alternatives.
Bob.
When one door closes, another opens.
-- Cervantes, Don Quixote
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Thanks so much for the replies. As we all know there are so many variables associated with trading. So let me be a little more specific.
Main concern would be a charting platform that that accepts trading three symbols, data1,2.3 together. Screenshot (2)
Takes data from data2,3 to place trades on data1.
Broker must have low cost futures fee structure (of course). Right now trading average 1000 contracts per month.
Have very good and knowledgeable customer service.
So if I understand it well, you are trading NQ, with ES and YM providing the signal?
Is commission cost your primary driver then (as long as the platform can run your 3 datastream strategy? You might be able to negotiate a lower rate with TS based on volume, or even lease a seat to save on clearing and exchange fees. But TS customer service, while better lately, still is not as good as Ninja or Multicharts.
If you found a good priced broker who accepts Multicharts, you could port the existing code to MC, which definitely can do 3 datatstreams.
You can have multiple symbols loaded in the same window with MC, just like your example.
AFAIK you can try MC for a month before buying it, the simple is maybe to do this and check by yourself.
MC support is very good, nothing compared to TS support. It's maybe easier to provide a good support with a smaller users base and a software which was not deign in the 20th century.
Success requires no deodorant! (Sun Tzu)
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Narrow it down by one more. Anyone do the charting like above besides Tradestation or Multicharts? At least Tradestation improved Multicharts. Not too hard to do.
Next up Tradingview. I see no information on the set up I want on Youtube or Tradingview site. Looks like I will have to call in the morning.
Who here has traded threw API without problems. I will check the board to answer my own question but still would be good to hear a response.
Almost every single one that is not TradeStation will fit that bill.
