Find the Right Options Scanner Without Overpaying
Not all options scanners are created equal. Some cost $150/month and deliver $10/month worth of value. Others are packed with features you’ll actually use but hide behind confusing pricing tiers.
We’ve tested 20+ options scanners over the past three years, spent thousands of dollars on subscriptions, burned through countless hours figuring out which tools actually help you make better trades, and talked to hundreds of traders about what they really need.
The result? Honest reviews, transparent comparisons, and tools that help you pick the scanner that fits your strategy, not the one with the best marketing budget.
Here’s The Problem With Options Scanner Shopping
Most reviews are written by people who’ve never traded an option in their lives. They copy feature lists from websites, slap on affiliate links, and call it a “review.”
Contradictory Recommendations
Different sites recommend completely different scanners for the same strategy. Who’s right? Probably none of them—they’re just copying each other.
Zero Real Insight
Generic feature lists don’t tell you which tools actually matter for your specific trading approach. Speed? Alerts? Historical data? It depends.
No Pricing Transparency
Hidden fees, confusing tier structures, and “contact us for pricing” make it impossible to budget accurately before you commit.
Disguised Affiliate Bias
Many “reviews” are just thinly-veiled sales pages for whatever product pays the highest commission. We got tired of this too.
What You’ll Find Here
Real Scanner Testing
We subscribe to these platforms with our own money, trade with them for weeks or months, and document what actually works. Every review includes screenshots from our own accounts, not stock photos from the company’s marketing team.
Independent Comparisons
When we compare scanners, we’re looking at real-world performance across specific use cases. Want to follow unusual options activity? We’ll tell you which scanner spots sweeps fastest.
Educational Resources
Before you spend $100+/month on a scanner, you need to know what you’re even looking for. Our strategy guides break down exactly which scanner features matter for your specific options plays.
Pricing Transparency
We track pricing changes, compare monthly vs. annual costs, and tell you when “discounts” are actually just regular pricing with fake urgency. If there’s a better deal available, we’ll point you to it—even if it means less commission for us.
Explore by Your Needs
Scanner Reviews
Deep-dive analyses of every major options scanner. What they do well, where they fall short, and who they’re actually built for.
- BlackBoxStocks Review – Best for real-time alerts
- Market Chameleon Review – Best for earnings plays
- InsiderFinance Review – Best for dark pool data
- OptionStrat Review – Best free platform
Scanner Comparisons
Side-by-side breakdowns when you’re choosing between 2-3 specific platforms.
- Best Unusual Activity Scanners
- Best Options Flow Scanners
- Best IV Screeners
- Best High Premium Screeners
- Best Covered Calls Screeners
Trading Strategy Guides
Learn which scanner features actually matter for your specific options strategies.
- Iron Condor Setup Guide
- Covered Call Scanner Strategy
- Cash-Secured Put Screening
- Bull Call Spread Analysis
New to Options Scanners? Start Here
Understand What You Need
Read our Options Scanner Buying Guide to figure out which features actually matter for your trading style. Most traders overpay for features they’ll never touch.
Define Your Budget
Scanners range from free to $300+/month. Our pricing breakdown guide shows you what you get at each tier and where the best value sits.
Compare Your Top 3
Use our comparison tool to evaluate your top choices side-by-side. Look at data speed, feature sets, and total cost over a year.
Test Before Committing
Most platforms offer trials. Our trial optimization guide shows you how to actually test a scanner in 7-14 days without wasting time.
Free Options Tools (soon)
Before you drop $100-$200/month on a premium scanner, try these free tools we’ve built to help you understand what you actually need.
📊 Scanner Comparison Calculator
Answer 10 questions about your trading style, and we’ll show you which 3-5 scanners match your needs. Takes 2 minutes, saves you hours of research.
Launch Calculator🔍 Feature Decoder
Ever see “implied volatility rank” or “delta-weighted volume” and wonder what the hell that actually means? This tool translates scanner marketing speak into plain English.
Check Feature Guide💵 Cost-Per-Feature Analysis
Compare the real cost of different scanners by dividing monthly price by the number of features you’ll actually use. Stop paying for bells and whistles you’ll never touch.
Calculate ValueWhy Trust Our Reviews?
We’re traders first, affiliates second. Here’s what that means:
We buy our own subscriptions – Every scanner we review gets tested with real money
We show the bad stuff – If a scanner has slow data feeds or clunky interfaces, we say so
We update constantly – Platforms change. Pricing changes. Our reviews reflect that
We’re transparent about commissions – Yes, we earn affiliate commissions. But we also recommend free alternatives when they make sense
We know what matters – We’ve been trading options for years and actually use these tools daily