Start with an IB account because MANY add-ons are available
(e.g. "trade mgmt" pkgs like AutoTrader, BracketTrader, ButtonTrader, FuturesTrader, ZeroLineTrader, etc., for e-mini trading).
eSignal's Advanced Charting provides a STRAIGHTFORWARD javascript programming environment with MANY EXAMPLES
for chart programming.
Wealth-lab provides very good backtesting capabilities, but...
To get the combination of charting, backtesting and other capabilities I needed, I have transitioned to Neoticker.
The environment was tougher to learn but well worth it.
And I have left out many VERY GOOD software packages
that met most but not all of my needs, like:
QuoteTracker, StockWatchPro, Investor/RT and Tradestation.
Caveat: Just a junior member here, still trying to find my niche as a trader, but I've used (and liked) all the packages I listed.
(e.g. "trade mgmt" pkgs like AutoTrader, BracketTrader, ButtonTrader, FuturesTrader, ZeroLineTrader, etc., for e-mini trading).
eSignal's Advanced Charting provides a STRAIGHTFORWARD javascript programming environment with MANY EXAMPLES
for chart programming.
Wealth-lab provides very good backtesting capabilities, but...
To get the combination of charting, backtesting and other capabilities I needed, I have transitioned to Neoticker.
The environment was tougher to learn but well worth it.
And I have left out many VERY GOOD software packages
that met most but not all of my needs, like:
QuoteTracker, StockWatchPro, Investor/RT and Tradestation.
Caveat: Just a junior member here, still trying to find my niche as a trader, but I've used (and liked) all the packages I listed.

