TC2000 Review: Is This Charting Platform Worth the Price?

The S&P 500 is up 16.63% this year, but the real story is the 575-point spread between winners and losers. Storage stocks like Sandisk returned 510% while ad-tech names like The Trade Desk dropped 68%. If you’re researching charting software, you’ve already figured out that stock selection matters—and you’re looking for tools to help you find setups faster.

TC2000 has been winning “Best Stock Software under $500” from Stocks & Commodities Magazine for 27 consecutive years. That’s not a typo. But longevity doesn’t automatically mean it’s right for you. This review answers the question you’re actually asking: Is TC2000 worth paying for when TradingView and thinkorswim exist?

Quick Verdict: Is TC2000 Worth It?

Yes, TC2000 is worth it for active traders who need professional-grade scanning and charting speed. The EasyScan technology is genuinely best-in-class—it can scan millions of data points in seconds, and the condition-building wizard lets you create complex screens without writing code.

At $24.99/month for Basic or $99.99/month for Premium+, you’re paying for speed and screening power that free platforms can’t match. The catch: this value only materializes if you’re actively trading. If you check charts once a week, you’re paying for a race car to drive to the grocery store.

Rating: 3.9/5 — Excellent for its target audience (active technical traders), but overkill for casual investors.

Best for: Active traders and technical analysts who need real-time scanning, fast charting, and the ability to build custom screening conditions without coding.

What Makes TC2000 Different

TC2000 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a charting and screening platform built for speed, developed by Worden Brothers since 1972. That’s over 50 years of refinement.

The core differentiator is EasyScan®, their proprietary scanning engine that’s been around since 1995. According to TC2000, “In 1995, EasyScan® could scan a thousand stocks in 2-seconds. Imagine what it can do today.” The platform tests millions of data points on-the-fly, which matters when you’re trying to catch a breakout before everyone else.

Here’s what you actually get:

Charting:

• Real-time streaming charts with smooth zooming and panning
• Hundreds of built-in technical indicators
• Ability to apply indicators to indicators (powerful for custom analysis)
• Drawing tools, trendlines, and annotations
• Multi-monitor support (Premium and above)

Screening (The Real Value):

• EasyScan® Wizard: Build complex conditions step-by-step without coding
• Personal Criteria Formulas (PCF): Write custom formulas if you want more control
• Real-time scanning and sorting (Premium+)
• Morning Pre-Buzz for pre-market activity
• Most Watched & Trending Stocks updated 24/7

Options Tools:

• Historical and streaming bid/ask data
• Patent-pending P&L zones (visual profit/loss areas on charts)
• One-click multi-leg strategy construction
• Option chains with 100,000+ contracts

Trading Integration:

• Optional TC2000 Brokerage account
• Place orders directly from charts
• Attach limit orders to trendlines
• Bracket orders with profit targets and stops

The platform runs on Windows natively, with web and mobile versions for Mac, iOS, and Android. The Windows version is the most feature-complete.

Try TC2000 — Free Trial Available

TC2000 Pricing: All Tiers Explained

Let’s break down what you’re actually paying for:

The real question is which tier you need:

• Basic ($24.99/mo): Good for charting only. You get real-time data and watchlists, but no scanning. If you just want to look at charts, this works.

• Premium ($49.99/mo): This is where TC2000’s value kicks in. You get EasyScan, the condition wizard, and real-time scanning. For most active traders, this is the sweet spot.

• Premium+ ($99.99/mo): For serious day traders who need Market-Pulse gauges, auto-refreshing filters, and 1,000 alerts. The price is steep, but if you’re trading full-time, the time savings justify it.

Hidden costs to know about:

If you’re an options trader, budget an extra $10/month for real-time options data.

The Brokerage Discount:

If you open a TC2000 Brokerage account and either make a trade or maintain $30K+ account value, you get $25/month off Premium+. That brings Premium+ down to $74.99/month—a meaningful discount for active traders.

Start Your Free Trial — No Credit Card Required

How TC2000 Compares to Alternatives

You’re probably comparing TC2000 to TradingView, thinkorswim, or Finviz. Here’s how they stack up:

TC2000 vs. TradingView:

TradingView is the popular choice—it’s web-based, has a social community, and covers global markets. TC2000’s advantage is scanning speed and the condition wizard. If you need to find stocks matching specific technical criteria in real-time, TC2000 is faster. If you want to share charts and follow other traders, TradingView wins. See our TradingView review for the full comparison.

TC2000 vs. thinkorswim:

Thinkorswim is free if you have a TD Ameritrade/Schwab account, and it’s powerful for options analysis. But it’s also complex and can feel overwhelming. TC2000 is more focused—it does charting and scanning extremely well, without the feature bloat.

TC2000 vs. Finviz:

Finviz is great for quick screening and heat maps, but it’s not built for real-time trading. TC2000’s streaming data and live scanning make it better for active traders who need to act fast. Check our Finviz Elite review for details.

The Trade-Offs: Pros and Cons

What TC2000 Does Well

• Scanning speed: The EasyScan engine is genuinely fast. Millions of data points processed in seconds.
• Condition wizard: Build complex screens without coding. This is huge for traders who think in technical terms but don’t want to write formulas.
• 27 years of awards: Stocks & Commodities Magazine has voted it best software for 27 consecutive years. That’s not marketing—it’s sustained excellence.
• Support quality: 15-minute typical response time during business hours. Multiple customers cite this as best-in-class.
• Integrated brokerage option: Trade directly from charts if you want everything in one platform.

What TC2000 Doesn’t Do Well

• Windows-first: The native desktop app is Windows-only. Mac users get a web version that’s functional but not as feature-complete.
• No fundamental data: TC2000 is purely technical. If you want earnings estimates, financial statements, or valuation metrics, you’ll need a separate tool like our Morningstar Investor review.
• Price adds up: Premium+ at $100/month plus options data ($10) plus extra alerts ($10) can hit $120/month quickly. That’s $1,440/year.
• No global markets: U.S. stocks only. International traders need to look elsewhere.
• Learning curve: The condition wizard is powerful but takes time to master. Expect a few weeks before you’re building screens efficiently.

Try TC2000 Premium — 30-Day Guarantee

Who TC2000 Is For (And Who Should Skip It)

TC2000 Is Right For You If:

• You’re an active trader who scans for setups daily or multiple times per week
• You think in technical terms and want to screen by indicators, patterns, and price action
• Speed matters because you’re trying to catch breakouts before the crowd
• You want to build custom screens without learning a programming language
• You’re on Windows and want the full native experience

Skip TC2000 If:

• You’re a buy-and-hold investor. You don’t need real-time scanning. Save your money and use our Morningstar Investor review for fundamental research.
• You check charts once a week. The value of TC2000 is speed—if you’re not using it regularly, you’re paying for unused horsepower.
• You want stock picks, not tools. TC2000 helps you find stocks, but it doesn’t tell you what to buy. If you want recommendations, try our Stock Advisor review or Alpha Picks review.
• You’re on Mac and need full features. The web version works, but power users will miss the native Windows experience.
• You need fundamental analysis. TC2000 is charts and technicals only. Pair it with a fundamental tool if you need both.

Best Alternatives to TC2000

If TC2000 isn’t the right fit, here are your options:

TradingView — Best for Social Trading and Global Markets

TradingView is the most popular charting platform in the world. It’s web-based, works on any device, and has a massive community sharing ideas. The free tier is generous, and paid plans top out at $60/month. Read our TradingView review for the full analysis.

Choose TradingView if: You want social features, global market access, or a platform that works equally well on Mac.

Finviz — Best for Quick Screening on a Budget

Finviz offers powerful screening and heat maps at $25/month (Elite) or free for delayed data. It’s not built for real-time trading, but it’s excellent for end-of-day analysis and finding stocks to research. See our Finviz Elite review for details.

Choose Finviz if: You screen after hours and don’t need streaming data.

thinkorswim — Best Free Option for Options Traders

Thinkorswim is free with a Schwab/TD Ameritrade account and offers institutional-grade options analysis. The learning curve is steep, but the power is unmatched for options strategies.

Choose thinkorswim if: You’re primarily an options trader and want free, powerful tools.

Morningstar Investor — Best for Fundamental Analysis

If you care more about valuations, moats, and long-term quality than chart patterns, Morningstar Investor is the better choice. It’s $249/year for comprehensive fundamental research. Check our Morningstar Investor review for the full breakdown.

Choose Morningstar Investor if: You’re a value investor who buys based on fundamentals, not technicals.

Final Verdict: Should You Subscribe to TC2000?

TC2000 is worth it if you’ll actually use it. That sounds obvious, but it’s the core truth. The platform’s value comes from speed and screening power—features that only matter if you’re actively trading.

At $49.99/month for Premium (the tier most traders need), you’re paying about $600/year. If that scanning speed helps you find even one better trade per month, the math works. If you’re checking charts occasionally and mostly holding long-term positions, you’re paying for a tool you don’t need.

The 27-year track record of awards isn’t marketing fluff—it reflects a platform that’s been refined for decades by traders who demand speed. The EasyScan condition wizard is genuinely best-in-class for building screens without coding.

My recommendation: Start with the free trial (no credit card required). Spend two weeks building scans and testing the platform. If you find yourself using it daily, upgrade to Premium. If you open it twice and forget about it, you have your answer.

For active technical traders, TC2000 delivers. For everyone else, there are better ways to spend $600/year. Explore all options in our guide to the best stock analysis websites.

Start Your Free TC2000 Trial

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TC2000 worth the money?

Yes, for active traders who use technical analysis daily. At $49.99/month for Premium, you get real-time scanning, the EasyScan condition wizard, and charting speed that free platforms can’t match. The value depends on usage—if you scan for setups daily, it’s worth it. If you check charts weekly, skip it and use a free alternative like TradingView.

What are the best alternatives to TC2000?

The best alternatives depend on your needs. Our TradingView review is best for social features and global markets (free to $60/month). Finviz Elite is best for quick screening on a budget ($25/month). Thinkorswim is best for free options analysis. Morningstar Investor is best if you want fundamental research instead of technical charting.

TC2000 vs TradingView: Which is better?

TC2000 wins on scanning speed and the condition-building wizard—it’s faster for finding stocks matching specific technical criteria. TradingView wins on social features, global market access, and cross-platform consistency (it works equally well on Mac). See our TradingView review for the full comparison. Choose TC2000 for pure scanning power; choose TradingView for community and flexibility.

How do I cancel TC2000?

Call 1-800-776-4940 to cancel your TC2000 subscription. Monthly subscriptions terminate at the end of your billing period. Prepaid annual or biennial plans receive refunds for unused paid months, but any bonus months are forfeited. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users.

Does TC2000 offer a free trial?

Yes, TC2000 offers a free trial with delayed data and basic features. No credit card is required. The trial is available to new users or accounts that have been inactive for 1+ year, limited to one per household per year. It includes unlimited paper trading so you can test the platform risk-free.

Is TC2000 good for beginners?

TC2000 is powerful but has a learning curve. Beginners who are serious about learning technical analysis will find the EasyScan Wizard helpful—it lets you build screens without coding. However, if you’re new to investing entirely, you’d benefit more from a simpler tool or a stock-picking service like our Stock Advisor review that tells you what to buy rather than giving you tools to find stocks yourself.