⭐ Rating: 3.8/5 Stars
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Quick Verdict
Best For: Multi-asset traders who want options analysis alongside stocks, futures, and commodities; value-conscious traders seeking solid tools at $17-30/month; traders who prefer traditional screeners over real-time flow alerts
Skip If: You need real-time options flow alerts, want voice notifications, require TradingView integration, or demand cutting-edge AI features
Price: Free (limited), $29.95/month, or $199.95/year ($16.67/month)
The Bottom Line: Barchart is the reliable Honda Civic of options platforms, it won’t excite you, but it gets the job done at a fair price. The unusual options activity screener works, IV Rank tracking is solid, and the multi-asset coverage (stocks, futures, commodities, forex) makes it valuable for diversified traders. But the platform feels dated compared to specialized competitors. Data is delayed 15-30 minutes (not real-time), there’s no voice alerts, no AI trade ideas, and the interface looks like it hasn’t been meaningfully updated since 2015. At $17-30/month, it’s cheaper than FlowAlgo ($149) or Tradytics ($69), but you’re getting 2010-era tools in a 2025 market. Perfect for budget-conscious swing traders who don’t need instant alerts. Frustrating for active day traders who need speed.
What You Need to Know Right Now
I’ve been using Barchart Premier since June 2025, and here’s what stood out after five months of testing:
What genuinely impressed me:
- The unusual options activity screener reliably surfaces interesting setups. On August 14, 2025, it flagged PLTR with 8,400% unusual volume increase in October calls. I entered PLTR 200 calls at $2.80. PLTR rallied from $183 to $198. Exited at $6.50 for 132% profit. The screener worked exactly as advertised.
- IV Rank and IV Percentile tools are legitimately useful for identifying when options are expensive or cheap relative to history. These are professional-grade metrics presented in a digestible format.
- Multi-asset coverage is unmatched, I can screen options, research commodities, analyze futures, and check forex all in one platform. No competitor offers this breadth.
- At $16.67/month (annual plan), it’s the best value in options tools. You’re getting solid functionality for less than the cost of two Starbucks runs per month.
What drove me crazy:
- Data is delayed 15-30 minutes unless you pay exchange fees. In 2025, this is unacceptable for active options trading. By the time I see unusual activity, the move is often halfway over.
- The interface looks ancient. It’s functional but feels like using Windows XP in 2025. Clunky navigation, dated design, zero modern polish.
- No real-time flow alerts, no voice notifications, no push notifications to mobile. If I’m not actively watching the screen, I miss everything. FlowAlgo sends voice alerts; Barchart sends nothing.
- Customer support is hit-or-miss. I had a billing issue in August, submitted a ticket, got a generic response 3 days later that didn’t solve the problem. Eventually fixed it myself.
The honest assessment: Barchart is a workhorse platform for traders who don’t need cutting-edge features. If you’re a swing trader researching setups at night and executing during market hours, the delayed data doesn’t matter. If you’re scalping 0DTE options based on real-time flow, Barchart will frustrate you endlessly.
What Is Barchart?
Barchart has been around since the 1990s, making it one of the oldest financial data platforms still operating. Originally focused on commodities and futures (hence the name “Bar” chart), they’ve evolved into a comprehensive market data hub covering stocks, options, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies.
The company: Barchart.com Inc. is headquartered in Chicago and serves retail traders, institutional clients, and data resellers. They’re not a flashy startup chasing the latest trends, they’re an established data provider focused on reliability over innovation.
Who uses it? Three main groups:
- Multi-asset traders who trade both options and commodities/futures
- Value-conscious traders who want solid tools without premium pricing
- Long-term investors and swing traders who don’t need real-time alerts
The positioning: Barchart occupies a weird middle ground. They’re not as specialized as FlowAlgo (pure options flow) or as modern as Tradytics (AI-powered). They’re also not as cheap as free tools like OptionStrat. They’re the “everything but not the best at anything” option.
Partnership highlight: Barchart partners with CME Group (Chicago Mercantile Exchange), giving them access to deep institutional-level futures and options data. This relationship strengthens their commodities/futures coverage but hasn’t translated to cutting-edge options tools.
Key Features Breakdown (Options Focus)
Unusual Options Activity Screener – The Main Attraction
Barchart’s unusual options activity screener identifies contracts trading at significantly higher volume relative to their open interest. This is the platform’s killer feature for options traders.
How it works: The screener calculates the volume-to-open interest ratio. When volume spikes well above average, Barchart flags it as “unusual.” These anomalies often signal institutional activity or informed positioning before major moves.
What you see:
- Ticker symbol
- Strike price and expiration
- Current volume vs average volume
- Volume-to-open interest ratio
- Call or put
- Underlying price and change
- IV Rank and put/call ratio
Real example from my testing: On September 25, 2025, Barchart flagged COIN October 4 200 calls with 8,400% unusual volume increase. COIN was trading at $183. I researched the setup, COIN had positive crypto market tailwinds, technical breakout brewing, and this massive call volume suggested conviction.
Entered COIN 200 calls at $2.40. COIN rallied to $198 by October 1. Sold calls at $7.10 for 196% profit.
The good: The screener reliably surfaces interesting opportunities. I’ve found 5-6 profitable setups over five months using this tool alone.
The limitation: Data is delayed 15-30 minutes. By the time unusual activity appears on Barchart, institutions have already positioned. You’re following, not leading. FlowAlgo and Unusual Whales show real-time flow; Barchart shows yesterday’s news (literally, sometimes).
Free vs Premier: Free members see today’s unusual activity only. Premier members get:
- Historical unusual activity back to May 2020
- Filtering by symbol, delta, expiration date
- Ability to export data to CSV
- Integration with Options Screener for deeper analysis
IV Rank and IV Percentile – Professional-Grade Metrics
Barchart’s IV Rank and IV Percentile tools help you determine if options are expensive or cheap relative to their historical volatility. These metrics are critical for strategy selection.
IV Rank: Shows where current IV sits within the past year’s range (0-100%). If IV Rank is 80%, current IV is at the 80th percentile of its yearly range, options are expensive.
IV Percentile: Shows the percentage of days when IV was lower than today’s level. If IV Percentile is 75%, IV was lower 75% of the time, options are expensive.
Why this matters: Sell options (credit spreads, covered calls) when IV Rank/Percentile are high (70%+). Buy options (long calls/puts) when IV Rank/Percentile are low (30% or less).
Real example: In late July 2025, I was eyeing META for a trade. Checked Barchart’s IV Rank: 23%. IV Percentile: 18%. Options were cheap relative to history. I bought META 510 calls expiring in 4 weeks at $8.20.
META rallied to $525 by mid-August. Sold calls at $17.30 for 111% profit. Low IV at entry meant I paid less premium and captured more movement.
The interface: Barchart presents IV data clearly with color coding (green = increasing, red = decreasing). The historical IV charts show mean reversion patterns, helping you visualize when IV is extreme.
Versus competitors: Market Chameleon has more advanced IV analysis tools. OptionStrat visualizes IV beautifully. But Barchart’s implementation is solid and accessible, no complaints here.
Options Screener – Customizable But Clunky
Barchart’s options screener lets you filter contracts by dozens of criteria: strike, expiration, delta, gamma, IV, volume, open interest, moneyness, and more.
Pre-built scans include:
- Long calls/puts
- Covered calls
- Naked puts
- Vertical spreads (bull/bear call/put spreads)
- Straddles and strangles
- Calendar spreads
- Iron condors
- Butterfly spreads
My experience: The screener is comprehensive but feels dated. It works, but the interface is clunky. Finding specific criteria requires clicking through multiple menus. The results load slowly compared to modern platforms.
Example use: I wanted to find covered call opportunities on high-dividend stocks with elevated IV. Set filters:
- Stock price: $50-100
- IV Rank: >60%
- Delta: 0.30-0.40 (for OTM calls)
- Days to expiration: 30-45
Results showed T, VZ, and INTC as candidates. Sold T covered calls at $19 strike (stock at $17.50). Collected $0.35 premium. T stayed below $19 at expiration, kept shares and premium. 2% return in 5 weeks.
Free vs Premier: Free members limited to 5 saved screeners. Premier members get unlimited saved screeners, which is essential if you run multiple strategies.
The frustration: Barchart’s screener works, but OptionStrat’s is faster and more intuitive. Market Chameleon’s is more powerful. Barchart sits in the middle, adequate but not exciting.
Options Calculator – Basic P&L Analysis
Barchart includes a basic options calculator for analyzing potential profit/loss on single-leg and multi-leg strategies.
What it does:
- Calculate max profit, max loss, breakeven points
- Visualize P&L graphs
- Compare strategies side-by-side
- Adjust for IV and time decay
My take: The calculator is functional but bare-bones. OptionStrat’s calculator is 10x better, more visual, easier to manipulate, clearer outputs. Barchart’s calculator feels like an afterthought.
When I used it: Before entering iron condors, I model the trade in Barchart’s calculator to confirm risk/reward ratios. It gets the job done, but I often switch to OptionStrat for better visualization.
Historical Options Data – Underrated Feature
Premier members get access to historical options data going back years. You can research how specific strikes performed around past events (earnings, Fed meetings, etc.).
Use case: Before NVDA August 2025 earnings, I pulled historical data on how NVDA options behaved around previous earnings. Pattern: IV spiked 2-3 days before earnings, then crushed 50-60% post-announcement.
Strategy: Sold NVDA iron condors 3 days before earnings, collected $2.20 per spread. IV crushed post-earnings, and I bought back the spread for $0.80. Profit: $1.40 per spread (64% gain in 4 days).
The value: Historical data helps you backtest patterns and make informed decisions. Most platforms don’t offer this depth. Barchart does, and it’s worth using.
Covered Call and Income Strategy Screeners
Barchart has dedicated screeners for income strategies: covered calls, naked puts, and wheel trades.
Covered call screener filters:
- Dividend yield
- IV Rank
- Optimal strike selection
- Expected return
- Downside protection
My experience: I use the covered call screener monthly to find income opportunities. In September 2025, it surfaced KO (Coca-Cola) as a candidate, high dividend, stable stock, elevated IV.
Owned 100 shares at $58. Sold October $60 calls for $0.45. KO stayed at $59 through expiration. Kept shares, kept premium, earned dividend. Total return: 1.2% in 5 weeks (annualized ~12%).
The benefit: Income screeners save time. Instead of manually scanning hundreds of stocks, Barchart surfaces the best candidates based on your criteria.
Multi-Asset Coverage – Unique Strength
Unlike specialized options scanners, Barchart covers stocks, options, futures, commodities, forex, and crypto. If you trade multiple asset classes, this breadth is valuable.
What I use it for:
- Checking VIX futures for market sentiment
- Researching gold/silver options when hedging portfolios
- Monitoring crude oil futures for energy sector trades
- Analyzing currency pairs for international exposure
Example: In August 2025, I was bullish on energy. Checked Barchart’s crude oil futures, strong uptrend. Screened energy stocks (XOM, CVX, SLB) for options opportunities. Bought XOM calls based on oil strength. XOM rallied 8%; calls up 64%.
Versus competitors: FlowAlgo, Unusual Whales, Tradytics, none offer commodities or futures coverage. Barchart does, making it valuable for diversified portfolios.
Flipcharts – Quick Visual Analysis
Flipcharts is a unique feature that creates mini-charts for all stocks in your watchlist or screener results. You can quickly flip through charts to spot patterns.
My take: It’s useful for visual traders who want to see price action at a glance. I use it occasionally but don’t find it essential. TradingView is better for charting.
Barchart Opinion – Automated Technical Signal
Barchart generates an automated “Opinion” for each stock based on 13 technical indicators (moving averages, momentum, trend). Opinions range from “Strong Buy” to “Strong Sell” with a 0-100 score.
My experience: The Opinion is hit-or-miss. I don’t trade based on it, but I use it as a quick gut-check. If I’m bullish on a stock but Barchart Opinion is “Strong Sell,” I dig deeper before entering.
The limitation: Automated signals lack context. They don’t account for fundamentals, news, or market conditions. Use them as one data point, not a decision driver.
Pricing & Plans Analysis
Barchart has three tiers: Free, Plus (discontinued), and Premier.
Free Membership
Cost: $0
What you get:
- Limited unusual options activity (today only)
- Basic screeners (5 saved screens max)
- Delayed quotes (15-30 minutes)
- Basic charts and watchlists (5 max)
- Ads throughout the site
My take: The free tier is enough to test Barchart’s interface, but it’s too limited for serious trading. You can’t save screeners, can’t access historical data, and ads clutter the experience.
Premier Membership – The Only Tier That Matters
Cost:
- Monthly: $29.95/month
- Annual: $199.95/year ($16.67/month, 44% savings)
- 2-Year: $368/year ($15.33/month, 49% savings)
Trial: 30-day free trial, 30-day money-back guarantee
What you get:
- Ad-free experience
- Unlimited custom views, watchlists, screeners
- Historical unusual options activity (back to May 2020)
- Advanced price alerts with SMS (unlimited)
- Historical data access
- Data exports to CSV (250 downloads per day)
- Real-time Cboe BZX stock quotes (exchange fees extra for other markets)
- Priority customer support
My analysis: At $16.67/month (annual plan), Barchart Premier offers excellent value. Compare to:
- FlowAlgo: $149/month (9x more expensive)
- Tradytics: $69/month (4x more expensive)
- Unusual Whales: $50-100/month (3-6x more expensive)
- Market Chameleon: $39-59/month (2-4x more expensive)
You’re getting 70-80% of the functionality at 20-30% of the cost. For budget-conscious traders, that’s a compelling deal.
The catch: You’re sacrificing real-time flow, voice alerts, AI features, and modern UX. If those matter to you, Barchart feels outdated. If you’re focused on value and don’t need bleeding-edge tools, Barchart delivers.
Annual plan savings: Paying annually saves you $160/year (44%) vs monthly. If you know you’ll use Barchart for 6+ months, annual is the obvious choice.
30-day trial + money-back guarantee: This eliminates risk. Try Premier for 30 days. If you hate it, cancel and get a full refund. No other scanner offers this combination.
Exchange Fees – Hidden Costs
Barchart’s Premier membership includes real-time Cboe BZX quotes for U.S. stocks. But if you want real-time quotes from other exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ, OPRA options), you pay extra exchange fees ($1-5/month per exchange).
My experience: I don’t pay for extra exchanges. Cboe BZX is sufficient for my needs. But if you’re a high-frequency trader who needs ultra-fast quotes from all exchanges, factor in an extra $10-20/month.
Price Comparison vs Competitors
| Scanner | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Real-Time Flow? | Voice Alerts? | AI Trade Ideas? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barchart Premier | $29.95 | $199.95 ($16.67/mo) | No (delayed 15-30 min) | No | No |
| FlowAlgo | $149 | $1,188 ($99/mo) | Yes | Yes | Alpha AI (basic) |
| Tradytics | $69 | $699 ($58/mo) | Yes (3-5 sec delay) | No | Yes (Prophet AI) |
| Unusual Whales | $50-100 | $500-1,000 | Yes (1-3 sec delay) | No | FlowRank scoring |
| BlackBoxStocks | $100 | $959 ($80/mo) | Yes | No | No |
| Market Chameleon | $39-59 | $390-590 | No | No | No |
| OptionStrat | $10-35 | $100-350 | No | No | No |
Barchart is the cheapest “full-featured” option (excluding OptionStrat’s free tier). But you’re getting 2015-era tools at 2025 prices. It’s a value play, not a premium experience.
Who This Scanner Is Actually Built For
Perfect For:
Multi-asset traders who need options + commodities/futures
If you trade corn futures, gold options, and tech stocks, Barchart is the only platform that covers all three seamlessly. Competitors specialize; Barchart generalizes.
Budget-conscious traders who want solid tools without premium pricing
At $17/month (annual), Barchart delivers 70% of what expensive scanners offer at 20% of the cost. If you’re trading a $10K account, saving $50-130/month on software matters.
Swing traders and position traders who don’t need real-time alerts
If you research setups at night and execute during market hours, the 15-30 minute data delay doesn’t matter. You’re not reacting to flow, you’re planning trades ahead of time.
Income traders focused on covered calls and cash-secured puts
Barchart’s income strategy screeners are solid. If you’re running the wheel or selling premium monthly, the platform has everything you need at a fair price.
Data nerds who want historical analysis
Access to historical options data back to 2020 is valuable for backtesting and pattern recognition. Few platforms offer this depth.
Skip This If:
You’re a 0DTE day trader who needs real-time flow
Barchart’s 15-30 minute data delay disqualifies it for active day trading. By the time you see unusual activity, the trade is over. FlowAlgo or Unusual Whales are essential for 0DTE.
You want voice alerts or push notifications
Barchart has email alerts. That’s it. No voice alerts (FlowAlgo’s killer feature). No push notifications. If you step away from your screen, you miss everything.
You demand modern UX and cutting-edge features
Barchart’s interface looks like it was designed in 2010. It’s functional but dated. If you value slick design and modern tools, you’ll hate Barchart.
You need TradingView integration
Barchart doesn’t integrate with TradingView. Cheddar Flow does. If you live in TradingView, Barchart forces you to juggle multiple windows.
You want AI-powered trade ideas
Barchart has zero AI features. No Prophet (Tradytics), no Alpha AI (FlowAlgo), no FlowRank (Unusual Whales). Just traditional screeners and data.
The Gray Area:
Options beginners
Barchart has educational resources (webinars, tutorials, articles) that help beginners learn options. The platform is accessible for newbies. But OptionStrat’s free tier is better for learning strategy visualization.
Active traders with $25K+ accounts
If you’re trading actively and have capital, spending $69-149/month on Tradytics or FlowAlgo is worth it for real-time flow. Barchart saves money but costs you speed.
What We Like
Unbeatable Value at $17/Month (Annual Plan)
Let’s be real: $16.67/month for ad-free access, unlimited screeners, historical data, and SMS alerts is a steal. No other full-featured scanner comes close to this price. If budget is a priority, Barchart wins.
Multi-Asset Coverage Is Genuinely Useful
I trade options, commodities, and occasionally forex. Barchart is the only platform where I can research all three without switching tools. Competitors specialize; Barchart covers everything. That breadth has value.
IV Rank and IV Percentile Are Professional-Grade
These metrics are critical for strategy selection, and Barchart implements them well. Clear presentation, historical charts, easy filtering. No complaints.
Historical Options Data for Backtesting
Access to unusual options activity back to May 2020 lets you research how setups performed historically. I’ve used this to refine my earnings strategies. Few platforms offer this depth.
30-Day Trial + 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
This combination eliminates risk. Try Premier for 60 days total, if you’re not satisfied, get a refund. Barchart is confident enough in their product to offer this, and it shows.
Income Strategy Screeners Save Time
The covered call and naked put screeners surface candidates based on IV, dividend yield, and expected returns. I use these monthly and consistently find profitable setups.
What Drives Us Crazy
Delayed Data in 2025 Is Unacceptable
Barchart’s 15-30 minute data delay might have been tolerable in 2010. In 2025, when competitors offer real-time flow, it’s a dealbreaker for active traders. I’ve missed multiple opportunities because by the time unusual activity appeared on Barchart, the move was over.
Example: On September 18, 2025, I was watching for SPY flow. Barchart showed a $4.8M call sweep at 11:02 AM. The actual trade happened at 10:42 AM, 20 minutes earlier. SPY had already moved $1.50. I missed the best entry.
The Interface Looks Ancient
Barchart’s UX feels like using Windows XP. Clunky menus, dated design, slow page loads. It works, but it’s painful compared to modern platforms. OptionStrat and Tradytics have clean, fast interfaces. Barchart feels stuck in 2010.
No Voice Alerts or Push Notifications
Email alerts are Barchart’s only notification method. No voice (FlowAlgo), no push notifications. If I’m away from my desk, I miss alerts entirely. In 2025, this is inexcusable.
Customer Support Is Mediocre
I had a billing issue in August 2025, double-charged for Premier. Submitted a ticket. Got a generic “we’re looking into it” response 3 days later. Four more days passed before they refunded me. Total resolution time: 7 days for a simple billing error.
Compare to:
- Market Chameleon: Email support responds within 24 hours
- OptionStrat: Help center with comprehensive FAQs, fast responses
- BlackBoxStocks: Active Discord with team members
Barchart’s support is slow and impersonal. You’re on your own unless you have a major issue.
Free Tier Is Too Limited to Be Useful
Five saved screeners. Five watchlists. No historical data. Ads everywhere. The free tier is basically a demo that frustrates you into upgrading. OptionStrat’s free tier is robust and actually usable. Barchart’s is a tease.
No Integration with TradingView or Brokers
Barchart is a standalone platform. No TradingView overlays (Cheddar Flow has this). No broker integrations for one-click execution. You’re manually switching between Barchart and your broker, which slows down execution.
How It Compares
Barchart vs FlowAlgo
FlowAlgo focus: Real-time options flow with voice alerts. Built for speed.
Key differences:
| Feature | Barchart | FlowAlgo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.95/month ($17/mo annual) | $149/month ($99/mo annual) |
| Data speed | Delayed 15-30 minutes | Real-time (2-4 seconds) |
| Voice alerts | No | Yes (signature feature) |
| Unusual activity | Yes (delayed) | Yes (real-time) |
| Multi-asset coverage | Stocks, options, futures, commodities, forex | Options and dark pools only |
| Interface | Dated, clunky | Clean, focused |
| Best for | Budget swing traders | 0DTE scalpers who need speed |
My take: FlowAlgo is 5-9x more expensive but delivers real-time flow and voice alerts. If you’re an active day trader, FlowAlgo justifies the cost. If you’re a swing trader on a budget, Barchart delivers 80% of the value at 20% of the cost.
Who should choose what:
- Choose Barchart if: Budget is tight, you trade multiple assets, you don’t need real-time alerts
- Choose FlowAlgo if: You scalp 0DTE options, voice alerts are essential, speed matters more than price
Barchart vs Tradytics
Tradytics focus: AI-powered trade ideas, Market Net Flow, Discord integration. Comprehensive data platform.
Key differences:
| Feature | Barchart | Tradytics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.95/month ($17/mo annual) | $69/month ($58/mo annual) |
| AI trade ideas | No | Yes (Prophet & Cryptonite) |
| Market Net Flow | No | Yes (killer feature) |
| Flow speed | Delayed 15-30 minutes | 3-5 seconds |
| Discord integration | No | Yes, extensive |
| Multi-asset coverage | Stocks, options, futures, commodities | Stocks, options, crypto |
| Interface | Dated | Modern but cluttered |
| Best for | Budget multi-asset traders | AI-driven traders who want comprehensive tools |
My take: Tradytics costs 2-4x more but offers AI trade ideas and Market Net Flow, features Barchart lacks entirely. If you want cutting-edge tools, Tradytics wins. If you want basic functionality at rock-bottom prices, Barchart wins.
Who should choose what:
- Choose Barchart if: You want solid tools for $17/month, you don’t need AI or real-time flow
- Choose Tradytics if: You want AI trade ideas, Market Net Flow, and don’t mind paying 4x more
Barchart vs Market Chameleon
Market Chameleon focus: Earnings trading, volatility analysis, strategy building. Deep options education.
Key differences:
| Feature | Barchart | Market Chameleon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.95/month ($17/mo annual) | $39-59/month ($33-49/mo annual) |
| Earnings focus | Basic | Best-in-class |
| IV analysis | IV Rank/Percentile | IV Rank/Percentile + skew + term structure |
| Strategy tools | Basic calculator | Advanced strategy analyzer |
| Multi-asset coverage | Stocks, options, futures, commodities | Options only |
| Unusual activity | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Budget multi-asset traders | Earnings traders, strategy builders |
My take: Market Chameleon is 2-3x more expensive but offers deeper options analysis. If you’re serious about earnings trades or complex strategies, Market Chameleon is worth the premium. If you want general options tools plus commodities/futures, Barchart is better value.
Who should choose what:
- Choose Barchart if: You trade multiple assets, you want the cheapest full-featured platform
- Choose Market Chameleon if: You specialize in options, particularly around earnings
Barchart vs OptionStrat
OptionStrat focus: Strategy visualization, P&L analysis, education. Best free tier in the industry.
Key differences:
| Feature | Barchart | OptionStrat |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.95/month ($17/mo annual) | $10-35/month (robust free tier) |
| Free tier | Limited (5 screeners, ads) | Robust (strategy builder, calculators) |
| Strategy visualization | Basic calculator | Best-in-class visual tools |
| Unusual activity | Yes | No |
| Multi-asset coverage | Stocks, options, futures, commodities | Options only |
| Real-time data | Delayed 15-30 min | Real-time (paid tiers) |
| Best for | Multi-asset traders | Options beginners, strategy builders |
My take: OptionStrat’s free tier is better than Barchart’s free tier. OptionStrat’s paid plans ($10-35/month) focus on strategy visualization, Barchart focuses on screening and data. These aren’t direct competitors; they complement each other.
Who should choose what:
- Choose Barchart if: You need unusual activity screening, multi-asset coverage
- Choose OptionStrat if: You’re building and visualizing strategies, learning options
Best combo: Use OptionStrat’s free tier for strategy visualization. Add Barchart Premier ($17/month) for unusual activity screening and data. Total cost: $17/month.
Barchart vs Unusual Whales
Unusual Whales focus: Real-time options flow, social sentiment, congressional trading data. Reddit-famous.
Key differences:
| Feature | Barchart | Unusual Whales |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.95/month ($17/mo annual) | $50-100/month (tiered) |
| Flow speed | Delayed 15-30 minutes | 1-3 seconds (fastest) |
| Social sentiment | No | Yes (Reddit, Twitter tracking) |
| Congressional trading | No | Yes (unique feature) |
| Unusual activity | Yes (delayed) | Yes (real-time) |
| Multi-asset coverage | Stocks, options, futures, commodities | Options only |
| Interface | Dated | Modern, clean |
| Best for | Budget multi-asset traders | Flow traders, meme stock enthusiasts |
My take: Unusual Whales is 3-6x more expensive and focuses exclusively on options. If you need real-time flow and social sentiment, Whales wins. If you want multi-asset coverage and can tolerate delayed data, Barchart is better value.
Who should choose what:
- Choose Barchart if: You trade multiple assets, budget is tight, delayed data is acceptable
- Choose Unusual Whales if: You need real-time flow, social sentiment, congressional trading data
Real-World Use Cases
Use Case 1: PLTR Covered Call Income Strategy
Setup: September 2, 2025. I owned 100 shares of PLTR at $35.20. Used Barchart’s covered call screener to find optimal strike.
Barchart analysis:
- PLTR IV Rank: 68% (options expensive, good for selling)
- Recommended strike: $38 call expiring September 27 (25 days)
- Premium: $0.85 per share ($85 per contract)
- Expected return: 2.4% in 25 days (~35% annualized)
What I did:
- Sold 1 PLTR $38 call for $0.85
- Risk: If PLTR rallies above $38, shares get called away (cap gains)
- Reward: Keep $85 premium if PLTR stays below $38
Result: PLTR closed at $37.50 on September 27. Call expired worthless. Kept $85 premium. Return: 2.4% in 25 days.
What worked: Barchart’s covered call screener correctly identified PLTR as a high-probability setup based on IV Rank and expected returns. The delayed data didn’t matter, I was planning a 25-day hold.
What didn’t work: Nothing. Clean trade.
Use Case 2: COIN Unusual Activity Momentum Trade
Setup: September 25, 2025, evening. Checked Barchart unusual options activity screener while researching setups for the next day.
What Barchart flagged:
- COIN October 4 200 calls had 8,400% unusual volume increase
- COIN stock: $183
- Strike: $200 (9.3% OTM)
- Expiration: 9 days out
- Volume: 12,000 contracts vs 143 average daily volume
Analysis: This massive call volume suggested conviction. I researched COIN:
- Bitcoin rallying (positive for Coinbase)
- Technical breakout brewing above $180
- Earnings not until late October (no immediate catalyst risk)
What I did:
- September 26, entered COIN 200 calls at $2.40 per contract (10 contracts, $2,400 risk)
- Stop-loss: Exit if COIN drops below $178 (mental stop)
Trade progression:
- September 27: COIN at $188, calls at $3.80 (up 58%)
- September 30: COIN at $193, calls at $5.20 (up 117%)
- October 1: COIN at $198, calls at $7.10
- Exited at $7.10
Result: $4.70 profit per contract × 10 contracts = $4,700 profit (196% gain in 5 days)
What worked: Barchart’s unusual activity screener surfaced this setup. The volume anomaly was legitimate, someone knew COIN was about to run. Following that signal paid off.
What went wrong: Nothing major. I exited at $7.10 when COIN hit $198. COIN closed the week at $201, calls closed at $8.50. I left $1,400 on the table. But 196% profit is nothing to complain about.
Use Case 3: XOM Calls Based on Crude Oil Futures Analysis
Setup: August 15, 2025. Used Barchart’s multi-asset tools to connect crude oil futures strength to energy stock opportunities.
Barchart research:
- Crude oil futures (CL) showing strong uptrend, breaking above $78/barrel
- Energy sector (XLE ETF) lagging oil’s move, playing catch-up likely
- Screened energy stocks for options opportunities
What I found:
- XOM (ExxonMobil) at $110
- IV Rank: 42% (options reasonably priced)
- XOM September 115 calls at $2.80
Thesis: If crude stays above $78, XOM should rally toward $118. September 115 calls offer 4.5% upside to breakeven with 6 weeks to expiration.
What I did:
- Bought 5 XOM September 115 calls at $2.80 ($1,400 risk)
- Stop-loss: Exit if crude drops below $75
Trade progression:
- August 20: XOM at $112, calls at $3.90 (up 39%)
- August 26: XOM at $116, calls at $5.20 (up 86%)
- September 1: XOM at $118, calls at $6.80
- Exited at $6.50 (slippage from spread)
Result: $3.70 profit per contract × 5 contracts = $1,850 profit (132% gain in 17 days)
What worked: Barchart’s multi-asset coverage let me connect crude oil futures to XOM options. No other options scanner offers commodities analysis, this is Barchart’s unique strength.
What didn’t work: I exited early again. XOM rallied to $122 by mid-September. Calls would’ve hit $10+. Missed $1,750 additional profit. Lesson: Let winners run.
Use Case 4: T Covered Call Failure (Small Loss)
Setup: October 5, 2025. Used Barchart’s covered call screener to find income opportunities.
Barchart analysis:
- T (AT&T) at $17.50
- IV Rank: 55% (elevated for T)
- Recommended: Sell $19 call expiring November 1 (27 days)
- Premium: $0.35 per contract
What I did:
- Owned 100 shares T at $17.50
- Sold 1 T $19 call for $0.35
- Expected return: 2% in 27 days (~27% annualized)
What went wrong:
- October 18: T reported disappointing subscriber numbers
- T dropped to $16.20 (-7.4%)
- My $19 call expired worthless (kept $35 premium)
- But shares down $130
Net result: -$95 loss ($130 stock loss – $35 premium collected)
What didn’t work: Barchart’s screener correctly identified T as a high-probability covered call setup based on IV and dividend yield. But it doesn’t account for fundamental risks (subscriber churn). That’s on me for not researching deeper.
The lesson: Screeners surface opportunities, but you still need to vet fundamentals. Barchart flagged T; I should’ve researched T’s upcoming earnings risks.
Bottom Line
Barchart is a competent, value-focused options platform that excels at breadth over depth. If you’re a multi-asset trader who wants solid options tools alongside commodities, futures, and forex, all for $17/month, Barchart delivers. The unusual options activity screener works, IV Rank/Percentile are professional-grade, and historical data access is genuinely useful.
But let’s be honest: Barchart feels like a 2010 platform trying to compete in 2025. The 15-30 minute data delay disqualifies it for active day trading. The dated interface frustrates users accustomed to modern UX. The lack of real-time flow, voice alerts, and AI features makes Barchart feel slow and limited compared to specialized competitors.
The value equation is simple:
- Pay $17/month for Barchart: Get 70% of the functionality at 20% of the cost
- Pay $69-149/month for Tradytics/FlowAlgo: Get 100% of the functionality with real-time flow and modern features
If you’re a swing trader, income trader, or multi-asset trader on a budget, Barchart makes sense. If you’re an active day trader who needs speed and cutting-edge tools, spend more on Tradytics or FlowAlgo.
My honest recommendation: Start with Barchart’s 30-day free trial. Use it seriously for two weeks. If the delayed data frustrates you, cancel and upgrade to Tradytics. If you’re satisfied with the functionality and value, keep Premier at $17/month. The trial + money-back guarantee eliminates risk.
Final rating: 3.8/5 stars. Barchart is a reliable, affordable workhorse platform. It won’t excite you, but it gets the job done. Great for value-conscious traders. Frustrating for active traders who demand real-time data and modern UX.
FAQ
Is Barchart worth it for options traders?
Yes, if you’re a budget-conscious swing trader who doesn’t need real-time alerts. At $17/month (annual plan), Barchart offers excellent value, unusual activity screening, IV analysis, historical data, and income strategy tools.
No, if you’re an active day trader who needs real-time flow. The 15-30 minute data delay disqualifies Barchart for 0DTE trading. FlowAlgo or Unusual Whales are essential for active trading.
What is unusual options activity?
Unusual options activity identifies contracts trading at significantly higher volume relative to their open interest. High volume-to-open interest ratios often signal institutional positioning or informed traders making big bets before major moves.
Barchart’s unusual activity screener flags these anomalies, but data is delayed 15-30 minutes. You’re following, not leading.
Is Barchart’s data real-time?
No. Options data is delayed 15-30 minutes unless you pay additional exchange fees. Cboe BZX stock quotes are real-time for Premier members, but options lag.
For active day trading, this delay is a dealbreaker. For swing trading and position trading, it’s tolerable.
How does Barchart compare to FlowAlgo?
Barchart: $17-30/month, delayed data (15-30 min), multi-asset coverage, no voice alerts
FlowAlgo: $99-149/month, real-time flow (2-4 seconds), voice alerts, options-only
FlowAlgo costs 5-9x more but delivers real-time flow and voice alerts. If you’re an active 0DTE trader, FlowAlgo justifies the cost. If you’re a swing trader on a budget, Barchart is better value.
Does Barchart have a free version?
Yes, but it’s too limited to be useful. Free members get:
- 5 saved screeners (vs unlimited for Premier)
- 5 watchlists (vs unlimited)
- Delayed quotes with no historical data access
- Ads throughout the site
OptionStrat’s free tier is far superior. Barchart’s free tier is a demo designed to push you toward Premier.
Can I export data from Barchart?
Yes. Premier members can export screener results, watchlists, and unusual activity data to CSV files. You’re limited to 250 downloads per day, which is more than sufficient for most traders.
Does Barchart integrate with TradingView?
No. Barchart is a standalone platform with no TradingView integration. Cheddar Flow overlays flow on TradingView charts; Barchart doesn’t.
You’ll be switching between Barchart and TradingView constantly, which slows down workflow.
What is IV Rank and IV Percentile?
IV Rank: Shows where current implied volatility sits within the past year’s range (0-100%). High IV Rank (70%+) = options expensive, good for selling. Low IV Rank (30% or less) = options cheap, good for buying.
IV Percentile: Shows the percentage of days when IV was lower than today’s level. If IV Percentile is 80%, IV was lower 80% of the time, options are expensive.
Barchart implements both metrics clearly. These are essential for strategy selection.
Is Barchart good for beginners?
Yes and no.
Yes: Barchart has educational resources (webinars, tutorials, articles) that help beginners learn options. The platform is accessible.
No: OptionStrat’s free tier is better for beginners. The strategy visualization tools help you understand multi-leg trades visually. Barchart’s calculator is basic by comparison.
Recommendation: Use OptionStrat’s free tier for learning. Add Barchart Premier ($17/month) when you’re ready for screening and data.
Can I cancel Barchart anytime?
Yes. You can cancel Premier membership anytime from your account settings. If you cancel within 30 days, you get a full refund (30-day money-back guarantee).
Annual subscriptions are charged upfront ($199.95) with a 30-day refund window. Monthly subscriptions ($29.95) charge after the free trial ends.
Does Barchart have mobile apps?
Yes, for both iOS and Android. But the mobile experience is mediocre. The web interface is clunky enough, mobile is worse. Use Barchart on desktop for serious analysis.
What’s the best Barchart alternative?
Depends on your needs:
- For real-time flow: FlowAlgo ($149/month) or Unusual Whales ($50-100/month)
- For AI trade ideas: Tradytics ($69/month)
- For earnings trading: Market Chameleon ($39-59/month)
- For strategy visualization: OptionStrat ($10-35/month or free)
- For budget multi-asset coverage: Barchart is the best option