Looking for software similar to Qcharts

[Shigetsu]

I've been using Qcharts (part of eSignal) since 1999, and they provided notice that they will stop supporting Qcharts effective January 1, 2024. I just need charts, nothing complicated since I use IB TWS.

Would really appreciate if anyone who is familiar with Qcharts has suggestions for charting software with real time futures data. Many thanks!

 

[ZBZB]

You can use the free IB datafeed into free versions of motivewave or ninjatrader. Ninja uses a specific version of TWS so you cannot upgrade TWS until they do. Then there are paid programs that use the free IB datafeed.

if you want a separate datafeed then esignal is much improved in version 12. TradingView has a downloadable desktop version but limits the number of charts you can have.

Sierrachart has versions that work with the IB datafeed or their own. The advantage of the IB datafeed is that you do not have to pay the exchange fee.

 

[TrAndy2022]

I've been using Qcharts (part of eSignal) since 1999, and they provided notice that they will stop supporting Qcharts effective January 1, 2024. I just need charts, nothing complicated since I use IB TWS.

Would really appreciate if anyone who is familiar with Qcharts has suggestions for charting software with real time futures data. Many thanks!

Sierra Charts is cheap and has a lot of functionalities. You need to subscribe with CQG or Rithmic data with your broker which is also cheap as a non-professional. You can also look at AMP Futures, what kind of (free) futures software packages are there together with the datafeed (CQG, Rithmic).

 

[Shigetsu]

My Qcharts is not integrated with IB, and I would like to keep it that way. I have several "workspaces" in Qcharts with about 5 to 10 charts in each workspace. See example below, need to see if Sierra, or Trading View or eSignal can let me replicate something similar.

 

[Shigetsu]

I will probably need a bit of telephone customer support to help me replicate what I have above. Don't know if Sierra or Trading View offer such support, or if you figure things out based on online help instructions. It appears that eSignal offers telephone help.

 

[SunTrader]

My Qcharts is not integrated with IB, and I would like to keep it that way. I have several "workspaces" in Qcharts with about 5 to 10 charts in each workspace. See example below, need to see if Sierra, or Trading View or eSignal can let me replicate something similar.

I'm missing something here.

You've been using Q for 14 years, post a screenshot of charts with basic MA's, but need help setting up new charts with whatever new data provider you decide to go with.

Why?

 

[Shigetsu]

I'm missing something here.

You've been using Q for 14 years, post a screenshot of charts with basic MA's, but need help setting up new charts with whatever new data provider you decide to go with.

Why?

Here's what I need beyond basic MAs in the application that I'll use to replace Qcharts:
1. The ability to have multiple charts in a "workspace" that are freeform, meaning I can set their size as needed.
2. A change in symbol will reflect in some or all charts (In the example chart I posted, some of the charts are locked, there are two which will change as needed).
3. The intervals (5 min, 1 min, 30 min etc) can be different in each of the charts and can be locked or changed as needed.
4. I trade based on expressions (which are pair trades), and must have the ability to chart them.
5. I want to minimize tool bars and other extraneous stuff on the chart.
6. There are other things that QCharts has which I won't try to list here.

I found Qcharts extremely flexible to configure. Perhaps Sierra Chart, Trading View, and eSignal all offer what I need. It's just not clear (based on a quick review of the documentation available online) if they do, that's why I'm asking: if anyone is familiar with Qcharts, can they suggest which of the above might be a good fit for my needs. Or if you are using one of the 3 above or other application, does it kind of offer similar capabilities as what I list above. Thanks!

 

[sammybea]

Hi, I am also a long time Qcharts user and played around with the Esignal platform. Honestly, it wasn't for me, but hoping not to sign up for another service. From my understanding, you can still use Qcharts, but they won't provide any support for it. So if you upgrade to Windows 11 or beyond, it may not function properly. I do find it a very stable though, and in theory, you will be able to use it as long as you want. I plan on continuing to use it.

 

[Shigetsu]

Hi, I am also a long time Qcharts user and played around with the Esignal platform. Honestly, it wasn't for me, but hoping not to sign up for another service. From my understanding, you can still use Qcharts, but they won't provide any support for it. So if you upgrade to Windows 11 or beyond, it may not function properly. I do find it a very stable though, and in theory, you will be able to use it as long as you want. I plan on continuing to use it.

Hi sammybea, good to see there is at least one person on ET using Qcharts. I would also like to use Qcharts indefinitely, but am concerned that one fine day it won't work, and ICE/eSignal will refuse to fix it. Esignal said that eSignal21 is supposed to be similar to Qcharts - I haven't tried it yet, have you tried eSignal21?

What is unfortunate is that ICE gave us super short notice on Dec 28, that they were going to terminate support as of January 1. It almost seems like they don't need the business of Qcharts users. BTW, have you tried MultiCharts, apparently the Qcharts lead developer worked on Multicharts. I will try eSignal21 and look at MultiCharts, because I really need a Plan B.

 

[sammybea]

Yes, so i have downloaded Esignal21 and fooled around with it for hours. For my purposes, it just wasn't a suitable alternative. I didn't even think of MultiCharts, but now that I'm looking into it, it seems like that might be the suitable alternative. Thanks for that. Will let you know how it works out, but I am just hoping to stay with Qcharts (even without the support.)