Trading, Quant & Research Tools

Posted on Apr 25, 2026

All figures and plan details below are as of 2026-04 (unless stated otherwise).

Alpaca

  • Paper trading is free and available to Alpaca users: Alpaca paper trading docs
  • Useful for end-to-end testing of trading bots before going live.

QuantConnect

  • Free plan includes data access and unlimited backtesting: QuantConnect pricing
  • Useful for strategy research, simulation, and execution workflows.

TradingView

  • Offers a free Basic tier (with paid upgrades): TradingView pricing
  • Useful for charting, indicators, alerts, and watchlists.

Koyfin

  • Provides a free tier with portfolio and charting features: Koyfin pricing
  • Useful as a lightweight terminal for investors and analysts.

Investopedia Simulator

  • Free simulator with virtual money for practice trading: Investopedia Simulator
  • Useful for learning, demos, and onboarding to markets concepts.

OpenBB

  • Open data platform supporting MCP servers for copilots and AI agents: OpenBB ODP
  • Useful when building finance workflows for LLM and agent tooling.

Portfolio Optimizer

  • Free Web API for portfolio optimization, no registration required: Portfolio Optimizer
  • Useful for quant prototypes, allocation tools, and educational demos.