Competitive Analysis: 10 Trading Strategy Platforms (Feb 2026)

Comprehensive research on 10 algo/trading platforms for Hedge product direction.

PLATFORMS ANALYZED:

1. QuantConnect - Code-based (Python/C#), LEAN open-source engine, Alpha Stream marketplace. Strategy Dev Framework: Universe/Alpha/Portfolio/Execution/Risk modules. Free backtesting (10K orders), $8/mo + $20/node for live. AI assistant (Mia).

2. TradingView - Pine Script, 100K+ community scripts, Strategy Tester (equity curve/drawdown/trade list/Sharpe). 100+ indicators. Free: 3 indicators, 5K bars. Paid $13-200/mo. No native live execution - webhooks to brokers.

3. Thinkorswim (Schwab) - thinkScript, hundreds of indicators, PaperMoney (best paper trading UX), ThinkOnDemand historical replay. FREE with Schwab account.

4. TradeStation - EasyLanguage (English-like syntax), RadarScreen scanner, Walk-forward + Monte Carlo + Genetic optimization. Free with account.

5. Alpaca - Developer-first REST API, commission-free, free global paper trading (no US residency needed), fractional shares, 4X intraday margin. No built-in backtesting.

6. Interactive Brokers - 100+ order types including TWAP/VWAP/Dark Ice/Arrival Price/Accumulate-Distribute. 150+ global markets. No native backtesting.

7. Quantopian (DEAD 2020) - Zipline backtesting, Pipeline API, Alphalens, Pyfolio. Failed: crowd-sourced alpha model (users competed, would not share best work). Legacy: all tools open-source.

8. Composer - BEST NO-CODE UX. AI strategy from plain English in under 60s. 3000+ community symphonies. $19/mo. ETF/stock only, daily rebalancing.

9. Streak (Zerodha) - No-code, 80+ indicators, 5 conditions max, Virtual Deploy paper mode. Free for Zerodha. Paid 500-1400 INR/mo. India only.

10. Tuned - Crypto. Tuned Script + Pine Script. Batch testing millions of backtests in parallel (killer feature). Strategy monetization marketplace.

BEST FEATURES TO STEAL FOR HEDGE:
Tier 1: Visual no-code builder, instant backtesting under 60s, paper trading with real data, comprehensive performance report.
Tier 2: AI natural language to strategy, batch parameter optimization, community strategy marketplace, walk-forward testing, scan-to-deploy workflow, plain English explanations.
Tier 3: Strategy framework modules, factor analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, historical replay.

KEY GAP: No platform combines Composer UX + QuantConnect backtesting rigor + TradeStation walk-forward. That is the Hedge opportunity.

10 PROVEN STRATEGIES:

1. Dual MA Crossover: SMA9/SMA21 daily. ~8-10% annual, Sharpe 0.6
2. RSI(2) Mean Reversion: RSI2 below 10 buy, RSI2 above 65 exit. 70-80% win rate
3. MACD + RSI Combo: MACD histogram direction + RSI confirmation
4. Bollinger Band Mean Reversion: Close below lower band (2SD, 20p), exit at middle band
5. ETF Momentum Rotation: Monthly best of SPY/QQQ/IWM/GLD/TLT/SHY, 3-month lookback. ~12-15% annual, Sharpe 0.8
6. Opening Range Breakout: 30-min range breakout with volume confirmation, intraday
7. ATR Trailing Stop Trend Following: 20-day breakout, 2xATR(20) trailing stop
8. VIX Risk Management Overlay: Reduce size as VIX rises (under 15=100%, over 30=25%)
9. Gap Fill Strategy: 0.5%+ overnight gap tends to fill same session
10. 200-Day SMA Timing: SPY above/below 200 SMA = long/cash. Cuts max DD from 55% to 25%

Full document: /home/henryk/clawd/projects/hedge/docs/research/competitive-analysis.md