Stock selection has never mattered more for active traders. With market dispersion at multi-year highs—the gap between sector winners and losers regularly exceeding 100 percentage points—finding the right opportunities at the right time separates profitable traders from the rest. Active traders aren’t asking whether stock selection matters; they’re asking which tools can help them find the winners faster.
Trade Ideas promises exactly that: AI-powered scanning that surfaces momentum opportunities before the crowd catches on. But at $2,136/year for Premium, it’s one of the most expensive retail trading platforms on the market. The question isn’t whether the technology is impressive—it is. The question is whether it’s worth it for you.
Quick Verdict: Is Trade Ideas Worth It?
Trade Ideas is worth it for experienced day traders who already have a profitable strategy and need professional-grade scanning tools to scale. At $178/month (annual), you’re paying for real-time AI signals, 500+ screening data points, and backtesting capabilities that rival institutional platforms.
The catch: Trade Ideas won’t make an unprofitable trader profitable. It amplifies edge—it doesn’t create it. If you’re still figuring out your strategy, you’re paying $2,000/year to learn expensive lessons faster.
| Factor | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Active day traders | Momentum and pattern-based strategies |
| Price | $1,068-$2,136/year | Basic to Premium (annual billing) |
| Platform | Windows only | Mac requires Parallels or cloud VM |
| Learning Curve | Steep | Plan for 2-4 weeks to get comfortable |
Bottom line: If you’re trading daily with a defined strategy and your current screener is the bottleneck, Trade Ideas is worth the investment. If you’re hoping AI will tell you what to trade, save your money.
What Trade Ideas Actually Offers
Trade Ideas isn’t a stock picking service—it’s a scanning and charting platform built for active traders. The distinction matters. Services like Motley Fool Stock Advisor tell you what to buy and hold. Trade Ideas gives you tools to find your own opportunities in real-time.
The Core Platform
The platform runs on Windows desktop software (a limitation we’ll address), and offers three tiers:
Free Tier: Delayed data, basic charts, and Stock Racing—enough to test the interface, not enough to trade with.
Basic ($89/month annual): Real-time data, 10 simultaneous charts, customizable scans, paper trading, and broker integration. This is where most traders should start.
Premium ($178/month annual): Everything in Basic, plus Holly AI signals, backtesting, auto-trading capabilities, 20 charts, and advanced features like Smart Risk Levels and the Channel Bar.
Holly AI: The Headline Feature
Holly is Trade Ideas’ AI engine—and the primary reason traders pay for Premium. The system analyzes market data continuously, using TradeWave technology to identify momentum setups and fine-tune technical indicators for each stock in real-time.
What Holly does: Surfaces trade ideas based on pattern recognition and momentum detection. Provides entry signals, stop levels, and targets.
What Holly doesn’t do: Guarantee profits. The company explicitly states that “no content constitutes a recommendation” and that “trading contains substantial risk.”
This is an important distinction. Holly is a signal generator, not an oracle. The AI identifies potential opportunities based on historical patterns—what you do with those signals is up to you.
Try Trade Ideas — Start with Basic
What You Get at Each Tier
Basic Tier ($1,068/year)
The Basic tier is genuinely useful for active traders who’ve outgrown free screeners:
- Real-time market data — No more 15-minute delays
- 10 simultaneous charts — Monitor multiple setups at once
- 500+ data points — Filter by any technical or fundamental criteria
- Pre-market and after-hours data — Essential for momentum traders
- Paper trading — Test strategies without risking capital
- Broker integration — Execute trades directly through Interactive Brokers, CenterPoint Securities, or Cobra Trading
For swing traders or those trading a few times per week, Basic may be all you need.
Premium Tier ($2,136/year)
Premium adds the AI layer and professional features:
- Holly AI signals — Real-time trade ideas with entry/exit levels
- Backtesting — Test strategies against historical data
- Auto-trading — Execute trades automatically based on signals
- 20 charts — Double the screen real estate
- Smart Risk Levels — AI-calculated stop losses
- Channel Bar — 20+ curated strategy templates
- Unlimited watchlists — Organize your universe
The jump from $1,068 to $2,136 is significant. The question is whether Holly AI and backtesting justify the extra $1,068/year.
For traders executing multiple trades daily, the answer is probably yes. The time saved scanning manually—and the opportunities you’d otherwise miss—likely exceeds $4/trading day.
Get Trade Ideas Premium — Includes Holly AI
How Trade Ideas Works
The Scanning Engine
Trade Ideas’ core value is speed. The platform continuously monitors the entire market, filtering stocks through your custom criteria in real-time. When a stock meets your parameters—unusual volume, price breakout, pattern formation—you get an alert.
The 500+ data points let you build highly specific scans. Looking for stocks gapping up 5% on 3x average volume in the first 30 minutes? Trade Ideas can surface those in seconds.
TradeWave Technology
TradeWave is the visual layer on top of the scanning engine. It displays AI-analyzed EMA (Exponential Moving Average) bands that adapt to each stock’s volatility. The idea is to show momentum shifts visually, making it easier to identify entries and exits at a glance.
The Formula Editor
For advanced users, Trade Ideas includes a formula editor to create custom indicators and scans. This is where the platform separates from simpler alternatives—you’re not limited to pre-built screens.
Pricing Reality Check
Let’s be direct about costs:
| Plan | Monthly Billing | Annual Billing | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $127/month ($1,524/yr) | $89/month ($1,068/yr) | $456 |
| Premium | $254/month ($3,048/yr) | $178/month ($2,136/yr) | $912 |
Annual billing saves roughly 30%. If you’re committing to Trade Ideas, annual is the obvious choice.
The Breakeven Math
At $2,136/year for Premium, you’re paying roughly $8.50 per trading day (assuming 250 trading days). If Trade Ideas helps you:
- Find one additional winning trade per month worth $200+ in profit, or
- Avoid one losing trade per month by identifying better setups
…the platform pays for itself.
For active traders making 5-20+ trades daily, the math is even more favorable. The question isn’t whether $8.50/day is expensive—it’s whether your current tools are costing you more in missed opportunities.
What’s NOT Included
Be aware of potential add-on costs:
- AVWAP Add-On — Automated anchored VWAP analysis (price unlisted)
- GoNoGo Add-On — Momentum signals (price unlisted)
- Weekly Swing Picks — Email-based trade ideas (price unlisted)
- Money Machine — Upcoming 2nd-gen AI system ($5,000 early access)
The base subscription is comprehensive, but power users may find themselves adding modules.
The Trade-Offs: Pros and Cons
What Trade Ideas Does Well
Scanning speed and depth. 500+ data points with real-time filtering is genuinely powerful. You can build scans that would take hours manually.
Broker integration. Direct execution through Interactive Brokers, CenterPoint Securities, and Cobra Trading eliminates the friction of switching between platforms.
Backtesting (Premium). Testing strategies against historical data before risking capital is invaluable—and surprisingly rare in retail platforms.
Paper trading. Practice with realistic conditions before going live.
The Real Limitations
Windows only. This is a dealbreaker for some. Mac users need Parallels Desktop ($99/year) or a cloud VM like AWS WorkSpaces, adding complexity and cost.
Steep learning curve. Plan for 2-4 weeks to get comfortable with the interface. The power comes with complexity.
No verified performance data. Trade Ideas doesn’t publish Holly AI’s track record. The company explicitly disclaims that signals are not recommendations. You’re buying tools, not proven returns.
Price. At $2,136/year for Premium, Trade Ideas costs more than TradingView Pro+ ($359/year) or Finviz Elite ($299/year). The question is whether the AI layer and scanning depth justify the premium.
Refund policy unclear. The website doesn’t explicitly state refund terms. Contact support before subscribing if this matters to you.
Who Trade Ideas Is For
Active day traders who execute multiple trades daily and need real-time scanning that keeps pace with fast-moving markets.
Momentum traders who rely on volume spikes, breakouts, and pattern recognition to identify entries.
Systematic traders who want to backtest strategies before deploying capital.
Traders scaling up who’ve outgrown basic screeners and need professional-grade tools.
Who Should Skip Trade Ideas
Don’t subscribe if:
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You’re a buy-and-hold investor. Trade Ideas is built for active trading. If you’re holding stocks for years, you don’t need real-time scanning. Look at Morningstar Investor or Stock Advisor instead.
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You’re a beginner without a defined strategy. Trade Ideas amplifies whatever you bring to it. If you don’t have a profitable approach yet, you’ll just lose money faster with better tools.
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You’re on Mac without a workaround. Running Windows via Parallels adds friction and cost. If you’re not willing to deal with virtualization, Trade Ideas isn’t practical.
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You trade infrequently. If you’re making a few trades per month, the $2,136/year Premium cost doesn’t make sense. Basic at $1,068/year might work, or consider cheaper alternatives.
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You expect AI to do the work. Holly surfaces opportunities—it doesn’t guarantee profits. If you’re hoping to outsource your trading decisions to an algorithm, you’ll be disappointed.
Best Alternatives to Trade Ideas
For Technical Traders on a Budget
TradingView — $179/year for Pro. Best-in-class charting with a massive community. Lacks Trade Ideas’ AI scanning depth, but the price difference is substantial.
For Screener-First Traders
Finviz Elite — $299/year. Powerful screeners and heat maps. No AI signals, but excellent for visual market analysis at a fraction of the cost.
For Growth Stock Pickers
IBD Leaderboard — $899/year. CAN SLIM methodology with real-time alerts. Different philosophy (growth investing vs. momentum trading), but strong track record.
For Options Traders
OptionsPlay — $299/year. Strategy ideas with clear risk/reward visualization. Trade Ideas is equity-focused; OptionsPlay is built for options.
Final Verdict
Trade Ideas is a legitimate professional-grade platform that delivers on its core promise: real-time AI-powered scanning that surfaces opportunities faster than manual methods. The 500+ data points, Holly AI signals, and broker integration create a comprehensive toolkit for active traders.
But tools don’t create edge—they amplify it. If you’re already profitable and scanning is your bottleneck, Trade Ideas is worth the investment. The $8.50/day cost (Premium annual) is trivial compared to the opportunities you’ll find.
If you’re still developing your strategy, or you trade infrequently, the math doesn’t work. Start with TradingView or Finviz Elite, develop your edge, and upgrade when scanning becomes the limiting factor.
Explore all your analysis platform options in our guide to the best stock market analysis websites.
The Bottom Line: Trade Ideas is the right tool for the right trader. Make sure you’re that trader before subscribing.
Try Trade Ideas — See If It Fits Your Trading
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trade Ideas worth the money?
For active day traders with a defined strategy, yes. At $2,136/year for Premium, you’re paying roughly $8.50 per trading day for AI-powered scanning, 500+ data points, backtesting, and broker integration. If Trade Ideas helps you find one additional winning trade per month worth $200+, it pays for itself. However, it’s not worth it for buy-and-hold investors, beginners without a strategy, or traders who execute only a few trades monthly.
What are the best alternatives to Trade Ideas?
The best alternatives depend on your needs. TradingView ($179/year) offers superior charting at lower cost but lacks AI scanning. Finviz Elite ($299/year) provides powerful screeners and heat maps for visual traders. IBD MarketSurge ($1,499/year) is better for CAN SLIM growth investors. For options-focused traders, OptionsPlay ($299/year) specializes in strategy visualization.
Trade Ideas vs TradingView: Which is better?
Trade Ideas and TradingView serve different purposes. Trade Ideas excels at real-time AI scanning and momentum detection—ideal for day traders who need to surface opportunities quickly. TradingView offers superior charting, a larger community, and better cross-platform support at lower cost ($179/year vs $2,136/year). Choose Trade Ideas if scanning speed is your priority; choose TradingView if charting and analysis are more important.
How do I cancel Trade Ideas?
To cancel Trade Ideas, contact their support team at 760-230-0713 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions auto-renew, so cancel before your renewal date to avoid charges. The website doesn’t explicitly state refund terms, so confirm the cancellation policy with support before subscribing if this is a concern.
Does Trade Ideas work on Mac?
Trade Ideas is Windows-only software. Mac users must use virtualization software like Parallels Desktop ($99/year) or cloud services like AWS WorkSpaces to run the platform. This adds complexity and cost. If you’re committed to Mac and don’t want to deal with virtualization, consider TradingView or Finviz as cross-platform alternatives.
Is Holly AI actually useful?
Holly AI is Trade Ideas’ signal generator that identifies momentum setups and provides entry/exit levels. It’s genuinely useful for surfacing trade ideas you might miss manually—but it’s not a guarantee of profits. The company explicitly states that signals are not recommendations. Holly works best as a starting point for your own analysis, not as a standalone trading system. Think of it as a research assistant, not an oracle.
What brokers does Trade Ideas integrate with?
Trade Ideas integrates with three professional brokers for direct execution: Interactive Brokers, CenterPoint Securities, and Cobra Trading. This integration allows you to execute trades directly from the Trade Ideas platform without switching between applications. Interactive Brokers is the most popular choice due to its low commissions and broad market access. The integration supports both manual trading and automated execution if you’re using Premium tier’s auto-trading feature. Note that you’ll need a separate funded account with one of these brokers—Trade Ideas doesn’t offer brokerage services itself.
How long does it take to learn Trade Ideas?
Most traders need 2-4 weeks to become comfortable with Trade Ideas’ interface and core features. The platform has a steep learning curve due to its 500+ data points, customizable scans, and multiple windows. Trade Ideas offers a learning path through their website, including video tutorials, webinars, and a dedicated education section. Power users who want to master the formula editor and advanced backtesting may need 2-3 months of regular use. Starting with pre-built scan templates and gradually customizing them is the most effective approach for beginners.
Can I use Trade Ideas for swing trading or just day trading?
Trade Ideas works for both day trading and swing trading, though it’s optimized for intraday strategies. The platform’s real-time scanning, momentum detection, and Holly AI signals are designed for traders who need to act quickly during market hours. However, swing traders can use the 500+ data points to build custom scans for multi-day setups, and the backtesting feature (Premium tier) allows you to test swing strategies against historical data. The Basic tier at $1,068/year is often sufficient for swing traders who don’t need AI signals for every trade. If you’re holding positions for days or weeks rather than hours, you may find TradingView or Finviz Elite more cost-effective.