The S&P 500 is up 16.63% this year, but that average hides a brutal reality: the top performers gained 500%+ while the bottom lost 68%. Swing traders who caught the right moves made a year’s worth of passive returns in a week. You’re reading this because you wonder if Mindful Trader can help you capture those moves—or if it’s just another back-tested fantasy.
Here’s what you need to know: Mindful Trader is a legitimate algorithmic swing trading service built by a Stanford math grad who spent years and over $200,000 developing quantitative strategies. The back-tested numbers are impressive—141% median annual returns. But those are hypothetical. The real question is whether you can execute the strategy with real money, through real drawdowns, at 6:30am Pacific time.
Quick Verdict: Is Mindful Trader Worth It?
Yes, for active traders who want a systematic approach to swing trading—but only if you understand what you’re signing up for.
At $47/month with no upsells or hidden tiers, Mindful Trader is one of the most affordable algorithmic trading services available. You get real-time trade alerts with preset entry, exit, and stop-loss levels. The founder trades every pick in his own account, which creates genuine skin-in-the-game alignment.
The catch: You need to accept 20-40% drawdowns as normal, trade near market open (6:30am Pacific), and understand that back-tested returns—no matter how impressive—don’t guarantee live performance. If you’re a buy-and-hold investor looking for the next long-term compounder, this isn’t for you. If you’re an active trader seeking a data-driven edge without building your own algorithms, Mindful Trader deserves serious consideration.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $47/month (cancel anytime) |
| Best For | Active swing traders seeking algorithmic alerts |
| Trade Duration | ~1 week average |
| Drawdown Expectation | 20-40% is normal |
| Minimum Account | $10,000 recommended |
What Mindful Trader Claims: The Back-Tested Numbers
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Mindful Trader’s back-tested performance is exceptional—but it’s hypothetical.
The 20-year back-test shows:
- 141% median annual return for the main account
- 24% average annual drawdown, with 40% maximum drawdown
- Options account shows higher returns but also higher risk
These numbers come from coded algorithms applied to historical price data. The service launched in November 2020, meaning we have over four years of live trading—not 20 years of verified results.
To their credit, Mindful Trader is transparent about this distinction. The website includes full CFTC-required disclaimers about hypothetical performance limitations. The founder explicitly states that back-tested results don’t guarantee future performance.
What this means for you: The back-test suggests the methodology has statistical merit. But you’re not investing in a back-test—you’re investing in live trades executed in real markets with real slippage, real emotions, and real money.
The honest framing: Mindful Trader has a plausible edge based on quantitative research. Whether that edge persists in live trading is something only time and your own experience will confirm.
Try Mindful Trader — $47/Month, Cancel Anytime
What You Actually Get
Real-Time Trade Alerts
When Eric (the founder) makes a trade in his personal account, you get an alert. Typically 1-3 picks per day, though some days have zero trades. Each alert includes:
- Entry price — what to pay
- Profit target — where to take gains
- Stop-loss — where to cut losses
This is swing trading, not day trading. Average hold time is about one week. You won’t need to watch screens all day, but you do need to be available near market open (6:30am Pacific) to execute entries.
Stock and Options Picks
The service focuses on large-cap stocks—S&P 500 companies and similar $10B+ market cap names. You’re not hunting for obscure penny stocks. The algorithms identify price patterns in liquid, well-known companies.
Options picks are included for those who want leverage. The service typically uses 1-week expirations, which means options trades are higher-risk, higher-reward. You can follow stocks-only if options aren’t your thing.
Educational Materials
Unlike many alert services that just send picks, Mindful Trader includes:
- Complete tutorials on executing the strategies independently
- Position sizing calculator (Excel sheet)
- Strategy documentation explaining the methodology
- Think or Swim setup guides
- Regular email commentary on performance and market conditions
This matters because you’re not just following alerts blindly—you’re learning a systematic approach you could eventually run yourself.
Daily Watchlist
Before trades trigger, you see what’s being considered. This transparency helps you understand the methodology and prepare for potential entries.
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How the Algorithm Works
Mindful Trader uses a purely technical, statistical approach. No fundamental analysis. No earnings plays. No news-based trading.
The founder spent years coding algorithms that identify specific price patterns with historical edge. Every trade is based on:
- Statistical patterns that showed profitability across 20 years of data
- Large-cap focus — only liquid stocks where execution is reliable
- Risk management — approximately 1% account risk per trade
- Preset exits — no guesswork on when to take profits or cut losses
This approach appeals to traders who want to remove emotion from decision-making. The algorithm says buy, you buy. The algorithm says sell, you sell. No second-guessing, no “I think the market will do X.”
The limitation: Markets evolve. Patterns that worked in back-tests may degrade as more traders exploit them. This is the fundamental uncertainty of any quantitative approach.
Pricing: Simple and Affordable
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | $47/month | Cancel anytime, no contracts |
That’s it. No tiered pricing. No premium upgrades. No “unlock the real picks for $997” upsells that plague this industry.
The Math
$47/month = $564/year. Compare that to:
- IBD SwingTrader: $899/year for similar swing trading alerts
- Motley Fool Stock Advisor: $199/year ($99 first year promotional), but for long-term holds, not swing trades
- Building your own algorithms: Thousands in data costs, hundreds of hours in development
At $47/month, one successful swing trade covering a few percent on a $10,000 account pays for months of subscription. The breakeven bar is low.
What You Need to Follow the Service
- Trading account: Think or Swim (Schwab) is recommended
- Account size: $10,000 minimum to follow position sizing recommendations
- Options approval: If you want to trade options picks
- Margin account: Recommended for stock trades
- Time availability: Near market open (6:30am Pacific)
Refund Policy
No explicit money-back guarantee. You can cancel anytime to stop future billing, but there’s no trial period or refund window mentioned. At $47 for your first month, the risk is minimal—that’s the cost of a nice dinner.
Try Mindful Trader — $47/Month
The Trade-Offs: Pros and Cons
What Works
- Affordable entry point — $47/month is accessible for most active traders
- No upsells — what you see is what you get
- Skin in the game — founder trades every pick in his own account
- Transparent methodology — you understand why trades are made
- Educational value — learn to run the strategies yourself
- Risk management built-in — every trade has preset stops and targets
- Large-cap focus — liquid stocks mean reliable execution
What Doesn’t
- Back-tested vs. live gap — 141% annual returns are hypothetical, not proven in live trading over decades
- Drawdowns are real — 20-40% account swings are expected and uncomfortable
- Early morning execution — 6:30am Pacific isn’t convenient for everyone
- Active participation required — you must execute trades yourself
- Short track record — live trading only since November 2020
- Options complexity — full strategy requires options trading knowledge
- No fundamental analysis — purely technical approach may miss company-specific risks
Who Should Subscribe to Mindful Trader
Mindful Trader is right for you if:
- You’re an active trader who enjoys executing trades, not just holding positions
- You want a systematic approach without building your own algorithms
- You can handle 20-40% drawdowns without panic-selling
- You’re available to trade near market open (6:30am Pacific)
- You have at least $10,000 to follow position sizing recommendations
- You understand that back-tested results are hypothetical
- You want an affordable service without upsells or premium tiers
Mindful Trader is NOT for you if:
- You’re a buy-and-hold investor seeking long-term compounders
- You can’t stomach significant drawdowns in your trading account
- You want proven multi-decade live performance before subscribing
- You can’t execute trades near market open
- You prefer fundamental analysis and company research
- You want someone else to manage your money (this is DIY trading)
Where to Go Instead
If Mindful Trader doesn’t fit your style:
- For long-term stock picks: Motley Fool Stock Advisor offers buy-and-hold recommendations with a 22+ year track record (see our Stock Advisor review for details)
- For higher-budget swing trading: IBD SwingTrader provides swing trade alerts with IBD’s proven methodology (read our IBD SwingTrader review for the full breakdown)
- For research tools: Morningstar Investor gives you the data to make your own decisions (explore our Morningstar Investor review for more)
Best Alternatives to Mindful Trader
IBD SwingTrader
IBD SwingTrader is the most direct competitor at $899/year. It offers swing trade alerts based on IBD’s CAN SLIM methodology, with real-time entry and exit signals. The higher price gets you IBD’s institutional-quality research and a longer track record. Choose SwingTrader if you want a more established name and don’t mind paying nearly 2x the annual cost.
For a detailed comparison, see our IBD SwingTrader review.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor
Stock Advisor is a completely different approach—buy-and-hold stock picks for long-term investors. At $199/year with 1,000%+ returns since 2002, it’s proven over two decades. Choose Stock Advisor if you want to invest, not trade, and can hold positions for 5+ years through volatility.
See our complete Stock Advisor analysis for the full breakdown.
Alpha Picks by Seeking Alpha
Alpha Picks offers quantitative stock picks at $449/year. It’s more passive than Mindful Trader—monthly picks you hold for months, not weekly swing trades. Choose Alpha Picks if you want algorithmic selection without the active trading component.
We compare both services in detail in our Alpha Picks vs Mindful Trader comparison.
Final Verdict: Should You Subscribe?
Mindful Trader offers something genuinely valuable: an affordable, systematic approach to swing trading with transparent methodology and no upsells. At $47/month, the barrier to entry is low enough to test whether the approach works for you.
The back-tested returns are impressive but hypothetical. The live trading track record is still building. The drawdowns are real and uncomfortable. None of this is hidden—the service is remarkably transparent about limitations.
My recommendation: If you’re an active trader who wants a data-driven edge, Mindful Trader is worth a month or two to evaluate. The $47 investment is minimal compared to the potential value if the methodology resonates with your trading style.
Just go in with realistic expectations. You’re not buying guaranteed 141% annual returns. You’re buying access to a systematic approach that removes emotion from trading decisions. Whether that edge persists in live markets is something you’ll discover through experience.
The algorithm is ready. The question is whether you are.
Not sure if swing trading is right for you? Explore all your options in our guide to the best stock advisors to compare different investment approaches.
Start Your Mindful Trader Subscription — $47/Month
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mindful Trader worth the money?
Yes, for active swing traders seeking affordable algorithmic alerts. At $47/month with no upsells, Mindful Trader is one of the most accessible algorithmic trading services available. You get real-time trade alerts with preset entry, exit, and stop-loss levels. The value depends on whether you can execute trades near market open and stomach 20-40% drawdowns. For passive buy-and-hold investors, it’s not worth it—the service requires active participation.
What are the best alternatives to Mindful Trader?
The best alternatives depend on your trading style. Our IBD SwingTrader review covers similar swing trade alerts with IBD’s established methodology. The Stock Advisor review is better for long-term buy-and-hold investors who don’t want to actively trade. Our Alpha Picks review provides quantitative stock picks for a more passive approach. For DIY research, the Morningstar Investor review gives you tools to make your own decisions.
Mindful Trader vs IBD SwingTrader: Which is better?
Both offer swing trade alerts, but they differ in price and approach. Mindful Trader costs $47/month ($564/year) and uses proprietary algorithms developed by a Stanford math grad. IBD SwingTrader costs $899/year and uses IBD’s CAN SLIM methodology with a longer institutional track record. Choose Mindful Trader for affordability and algorithmic transparency. Choose SwingTrader for an established name and proven methodology.
How do I cancel Mindful Trader?
Cancel by contacting Eric (the founder) directly. There are no contracts or cancellation fees—you simply stop future monthly billing. The service is month-to-month, so you can cancel anytime without penalty. There’s no explicit refund policy for past months, but the $47 monthly cost makes this low-risk to test.
What account size do I need for Mindful Trader?
$10,000 minimum is recommended to follow the position sizing recommendations properly. The service uses approximately 1% account risk per trade, meaning a $10,000 account risks about $100 per trade. Smaller accounts can still use the service but may need to adjust position sizes, which affects the risk/reward profile. You’ll also need a margin account for stock trades and options approval for options picks.
Are Mindful Trader’s returns real?
The 141% median annual return is from 20-year back-tests—hypothetical, not live trading. The service launched in November 2020, so live trading results cover over four years, not two decades. Mindful Trader is transparent about this distinction and includes full CFTC disclaimers about hypothetical performance limitations. The back-test suggests statistical merit, but live trading results are what ultimately matter.
What time do Mindful Trader alerts come out?
Trade alerts typically arrive around 6:30am Pacific Time (9:30am Eastern), near market open. Eric sends alerts when his algorithms identify setups that meet criteria, which means you need to be available to execute trades promptly. Most alerts come in the first 30 minutes of market hours. If you work a 9-to-5 job on the East Coast, this timing works well. West Coast subscribers need to be early risers. You can set up conditional orders in Think or Swim to partially automate execution, but manual review is recommended.
Does Mindful Trader work for options trading beginners?
Options trading through Mindful Trader is not recommended for beginners. The service uses 1-week expiration options, which are high-risk, high-reward instruments that can lose 100% of their value if the trade goes wrong. You should have at least 6-12 months of options trading experience, understand concepts like delta, theta decay, and implied volatility, and be comfortable with the possibility of total loss on individual trades. Beginners should start with the stock-only picks, which use the same algorithmic signals but with lower risk. The position sizing calculator helps manage risk, but options magnify both gains and losses significantly.
How many trades does Mindful Trader make per month?
Mindful Trader averages 20-40 trades per month, though this varies based on market conditions. Some weeks have 1-3 trades per day, while other weeks may have zero trades if no setups meet algorithmic criteria. The service trades more actively during high-volatility periods and less during quiet markets. Each trade has an average holding period of about one week, so you’ll typically have 5-15 open positions at any time. This frequency requires meaningful time commitment—you’re not just checking your portfolio monthly. Plan for 15-30 minutes daily to review alerts, execute trades, and manage open positions.