Binary Options Charts – Free Charting
Binary options charts have not always been of high quality when delivered direct from brokers – as discussed in more detail below. That is changing however, particularly with established CFD and spread betting brokers entering the binary options market.
Brokers with Charts
Some brokers now offer high quality binary options charts for traders.
Live Binary Options Chart
Where to get more charting
If you have used any of the binary options broker platforms, or you are just a beginner who has looked around one or two of the platforms, one thing will stand out in a glaring fashion: the absence of interactive charts. Charts are the mainstay of technical analysis in the binary options market. Without charts, there would be no analysis of assets for trading opportunities, and without analysis, the trader would essentially be gambling.
It is important for the trader to know where to access charting tools for trade analysis, as these will provide the trader with information for an informed trade decision when trading binary options assets. In this piece, we will identify some places where traders can get charting tools in order to analyze the markets and trade profitably.
Charts Explained:
Chart Sources
Chart sources are of two types:
a) Online charts are web-based charts available from the websites of certain brokers and software vendors. These charts generally do not provide a lot of flexibility in terms of interactivity and the tools that can be used with them. For the purposes of binary options trading, it is not recommended to use online charts.
b) Downloadable charts as the name implies, can be downloaded either as part of forex trading platforms or as software standalone plug-ins. They are the best for the purposes of analysis of assets for binary options trading since they come along with many tools that augment the results of analysis. They are the recommended chart software for binary options analysis.
Some of the charting sources will provide free access to the charting tools. There are some which are free but will require some paid plug-ins to work, and there will be those that come in a complete package that has to be paid for 100%. Some of these charting sources for downloadable forex charts that are used for binary options analysis are as follows:
a) Forex Charts Widget v1.7
Developed by Chris Craig and available for a free download from Softpedia, the Forex Charts Widget v1.7 is a downloadable chart software that allows the user to view the currency charts for several pairs. The user will have the ability to choose the time frame and apply a set of indicators that come with the plug-in.
b) MT4 Charts
Probably the best source for free charting information and interactive charts is the MetaTrader4 platform.
This platform is available from almost every market maker broker in the forex market that there is. However, there are a few worth mentioning due to the fact that they have a more comprehensive asset base that matches the binary options asset index.
Ideally, you should download the MT4 platform of a broker that has more than 40 currency pairs, all the major stock indices (or at least 8 of them), stocks and the spot metals (gold and silver, sometimes listed as XAUUSD and XAGUSD respectively).
Examples of the MT platforms that you should use for your charts are those from FXCM, FxPro, Finotec and Forex.com. Virtually everything that you need for charting is found on these platforms. The best part is that it is all free and can be obtained when you download the MT4 platform and create a demo account. Another beautiful factor that works in the MT4’s favour is that the MQL programming language on which the platform was built supports the building of EAs, indicators and software plug-ins that aid in signal generation. These signals can then be exported to the MT4 platforms. Check out our MT4 guide in the forum for more info here or watch this video which explains some tips and tricks for MT4:
c) Interactive Brokers Information Systems (IBIS)
The word “interactive” in this broker’s name says it all. Interactive Brokers has one of the most comprehensive charting platforms for technical analysis. The Interactive Brokers Information System (IBIS) platform provides institutional level charting facilities. The charting facilities on IBIS boast of 22 configurable technical indicators, an alert wand that supports alert creation, and allows traders to use any of the three chart types (bar chart, line chart or candlesticks). The package comes at a cost though. Users have to subscribe to its use at a cost of $69 a month.
d) My FX Dashboard (from OFX)
This forex charting service from OFX allows traders to conduct lines studies, use indicators,etc. This software is not downloadable, but is a Java-enabled web-based application that allows users to switch between basic charts and advanced charts. This charting software is coded with EasyLanguage, which is the programming language that powers FXCM’s TradeStation, so you can also use it as a software plug-in on FXCM’s flagship trading platform.
e) MultiCharts
Multicharts is a downloadable chart software that provides high-definition forex charts on 30 different currency pairs in partnership with TradingView. The charts also have a web-based version. Traders can utilize several time frames that span from one minute up to one month. Developed by MCFX, the MultiChart charting and trading platform is a robust package that even has a unique ODM chart trading feature that zeroes down on the exact price that a trader wants to execute his trade on, tags it and uses this information to remind the trader about the trade if there is a lag in time between signal generation and trade execution.
f) Free Stock Charts
Nuff said. Click here for free stock charts. (Go To “Help” in FreeStockCharts.com and view the video tutorial, it is very helpful for beginners.) Looking for Candlestick view on fsc.com, go to top left of chart and click on Price History in green then click Edit, then change the “Plot Style” from HLC Bars to Candlestick and click “OK.”
There are many other sources of charting information for use in generating binary options signals. It is up to the trader to decide on which one to use based on cost, ease of use and other parameters tailored to taste.