In the world of online trading, having access to powerful and feature-rich charting platforms is essential for making informed decisions and executing profitable trades. Two of the most popular charting platforms, MultiCharts and TradingView, have garnered significant attention from traders worldwide. Both platforms offer a wide range of tools and features designed to aid traders in their analysis and decision-making processes. In this article, we will conduct a comprehensive comparison of MultiCharts and TradingView to help traders understand the strengths and weaknesses of each platform and make an informed choice based on their specific needs and preferences.
Introduction to MultiCharts and TradingView
Before diving into the comparison, let’s briefly introduce MultiCharts and TradingView.
MultiCharts
MultiCharts is a professional trading software platform that caters to the needs of active traders, professionals, and institutions. It is known for its robust charting capabilities, extensive backtesting options, and support for multiple data feeds and brokers. MultiCharts was developed by the company MultiCharts LLC and is widely used by traders seeking advanced technical analysis tools and automated trading strategies.
TradingView
TradingView, on the other hand, is a web-based social networking and data analysis platform designed for traders and investors. It gained popularity for its intuitive user interface, powerful charting tools, and the ability to share trading ideas with a vast community of traders. TradingView is accessible through any modern web browser and offers a range of subscription plans catering to traders with varying levels of expertise.
User Interface and Accessibility
MultiCharts
MultiCharts provides a comprehensive desktop application that offers a wide range of customization options. While this gives users greater control over their workspace, it might appear overwhelming for some new users. The learning curve may be steeper compared to TradingView due to the abundance of features and tools.
TradingView
TradingView boasts an incredibly user-friendly interface that is accessible through any modern web browser. This web-based approach allows users to access their charts and analysis from any device without the need for software installations. The simplicity and intuitiveness of TradingView make it an attractive choice, especially for beginners.
Charting Features
MultiCharts
When it comes to charting capabilities, MultiCharts is a powerhouse. It offers a wide range of chart types, including time-based, tick, and volume charts. Additionally, traders can employ various chart styles, such as bar charts, candlestick charts, and Renko charts, to suit their analysis preferences.
One of the standout features of MultiCharts is its impressive library of technical indicators. Traders can choose from a vast array of built-in indicators or create their custom indicators using the proprietary EasyLanguage programming language. This flexibility caters to the needs of both novice and experienced traders who rely heavily on technical analysis.
TradingView
TradingView also delivers an extensive set of charting features that are presented in an easy-to-understand manner. The platform provides a variety of chart types and drawing tools, making it a go-to choice for traders who prefer visually appealing charts and simple yet effective analysis. While the selection of technical indicators on TradingView is extensive, it may not be as vast as MultiCharts. However, most traders will find more than enough tools to meet their analysis needs.
Data Feeds and Asset Coverage
MultiCharts
MultiCharts supports multiple data feeds, including some of the most popular ones in the industry. This allows traders to access a wide range of instruments from various financial markets. Whether you’re interested in stocks, futures, Forex, or options, MultiCharts provides connectivity to a multitude of brokers and data providers, ensuring you have access to the data you need for your trading strategies.
TradingView
TradingView offers a broad selection of asset classes and data feeds as well. However, being a web-based platform, its data availability might be slightly different from MultiCharts. Nonetheless, TradingView still caters to the needs of most retail traders and investors with its extensive coverage of stocks, cryptocurrencies, Forex pairs, and more.
Backtesting Capabilities
MultiCharts
Backtesting is a crucial feature for traders looking to evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies before deploying them in live markets. MultiCharts excels in this area, providing robust and accurate backtesting capabilities. Traders can conduct historical simulations using their chosen data feed and assess the performance of their strategies over time. Moreover, MultiCharts supports optimization, allowing traders to fine-tune their parameters for maximum profitability.
TradingView
TradingView does offer backtesting functionality, but it may not be as sophisticated as MultiCharts. The platform allows traders to test their strategies using historical data, but the depth of the analysis may be limited compared to MultiCharts. However, for traders seeking basic backtesting capabilities, TradingView can still be a valuable tool.
Automation and Programming
MultiCharts
For traders who prefer automated trading or wish to implement complex trading algorithms, MultiCharts is a strong contender. The platform offers support for EasyLanguage, a proprietary programming language developed by TradeStation, making it relatively easy for traders to create and implement automated strategies. Additionally, MultiCharts supports external integrations through DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries), further enhancing its automation capabilities.
TradingView
While TradingView does provide automation through its Pine Script programming language, it may not be as feature-rich as EasyLanguage on MultiCharts. Pine Script is more accessible to beginners and allows traders to develop custom indicators and strategies. However, traders looking for highly sophisticated and complex algorithmic trading systems might find MultiCharts more suitable.
Community and Social Networking
MultiCharts
MultiCharts primarily focuses on providing a powerful charting and trading platform, and its community features are more limited compared to TradingView. The platform lacks a built-in social networking component for traders to interact and share ideas directly within the platform.
TradingView
TradingView takes pride in its vibrant community, where traders can share ideas, analysis, and trading strategies through published charts and social interactions. The “public chat” feature allows users to join discussions and exchange insights with like-minded individuals. This social networking aspect of TradingView can be highly beneficial, especially for traders who value collaborative learning and idea-sharing.
Support and Documentation
MultiCharts
MultiCharts provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and a user forum to support traders in using their platform effectively. Additionally, the platform offers email support, and premium users may have access to phone support as well.
TradingView
TradingView also offers detailed documentation, tutorials, and an active user community to assist traders in getting the most out of their platform. However, email support and social media channels are the primary means of customer support for TradingView users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both MultiCharts and TradingView are formidable charting platforms that cater to the diverse needs of traders and investors. Each platform has its unique strengths and weaknesses:
– MultiCharts stands out for its sophisticated charting capabilities, extensive library of technical indicators, and robust backtesting options. It is ideal for advanced traders and institutions seeking a highly customizable and automation-friendly platform.
– On the other hand, TradingView shines with its user-friendly interface, impressive community features, and accessibility through any modern web browser. It is a good choice for traders of all levels, especially beginners and those who value collaboration with other traders.
Ultimately, the choice between MultiCharts and TradingView will depend on individual preferences, trading goals, and budget constraints. Traders are encouraged to take advantage of the free trials and explore both platforms to determine which one aligns best with their trading style and requirements. Regardless of the chosen platform, having access to advanced charting tools is indispensable for success in today’s fast-paced and competitive financial markets.
Self-confessed Forex Geek spending my days researching and testing everything forex related. I have many years of experience in the forex industry having reviewed thousands of forex robots, brokers, strategies, courses and more. I share my knowledge with you for free to help you learn more about the crazy world of forex trading! Read more about me.
