AmiBroker Review

Rating

3.8

Introduction

AmiBroker is a technical analysis and portfolio management software that provides tools and features to help traders and investors make informed and profitable decisions in the markets. It has advanced charting capabilities, real-time data, and customizable indicators and alerts to help users analyze and manage their portfolios.

However much of a pro-trader you are, there is always something new you can learn. You may be having all the tips on technical analysis, back-testing and charting, but gaining new tricks would give you an edge over other traders.

But, learning and understanding this technical stuff is not always a walk in the park. So, it would be helpful if you found a program that makes things easier for you.

At this point, we are going to introduce you to AmiBroker, which is designed for the pros in the game. This may explain the advanced features that it has.

Read our review to see if this platform has what you need as a trader in the stock market.

About AmiBroker

ami neo logo2

Ami Broker is a technical analysis platform that features advanced tools which are meant to help you stay ahead of the pack. These features include real-time charting, scanning, strong back-testing tools, among others.

These are features that any pro-trader would find useful as you can use them for analyzing markets, back-testing trading strategies and preparing charts.

To understand what this program is all about, we are going to check out its notable features.

AmiBroker Features

amibroker

In this section, we are going to break down the main components of this program. After that, you can decide whether or not the platform has everything you need to be a successful trader.

1. Charting and Drawing Tools

The first notable feature of this program is the technical charts which are highly customizable such that you can set them to different styles as you prefer. You can use sliders for modifying parameters in real-time.

The charting feature is characterized by built-in indicators, drag & drop indicators, an abject-oriented drawing tool, numerous time frames

These charts allow you to add different technical analyses to them, plus you can also switch between various timescales.

2. Market Screening and Exploration

There is an analytical window that allows for scanning and exploration of the stock market. Here, you find real-time screening tools which you can use to screen stocks based on Buy, Sell, Short, and Cover conditions.

When it comes to the Exploration tool, it allows you to screen stocks by generic filter conditions.

3. AmiBroker Formula Editor (AFL)

The AFL is what defines this program as an independent software platform. It features limited basic functions, e.g. those for scanning and those for a moving average crossover.

Note that most of the default options on AFL are simply templates with stand-in values instead of actual ones. The significance of this feature is that the experienced traders are going to have an easy time making quick references as they come up with new formulas.

However, the new users are likely to have a torrid time due to the availability of a handful of basic functions.

All in all, there is a useful in-line syntax verifier that you can use to confirm your code before you get down to the analysis. On top of that, you will get a drop-down list from which you can choose the function that would speed up your coding.

Luckily for you, the Ami Broker manual, as well as the customer support, is there to show you how the code editor works, especially the advanced functions. Keep in mind that the learning curve for starting and running with designing functions is quite steep.

4. Symbol and Quotes Database

This database contains a countless number of symbols and quotes. It is quite resourceful, and you have the option of filtering the data based on certain criteria. 

It is in this database that you find all the historical information regarding the trading account.

5. Analysis

The analysis function is probably the most useful aspect of Ami Broker. The scanning and back-testing are relatively fast as compared to competing programs. 

Then, the results that you get from these two processes are displayed in an excel table, although you could export the data to a spreadsheet or a report.

Another thing we liked is the flexibility that you get as you back-test various strategies. So, you can determine the portfolio size as well as the sub-portions of tickers that you would like to apply the back-testing on.

There is also the screener which can help you identify potential trades, and this is based on a trading strategy that has been defined by a particular formula. This will particularly be useful for the swing and end-of-day traders as they can quickly identify the signals defined in your formula such as buy, sell, and so on.

Let’s also mention the parameter optimization feature whereby you can use your formula code to define many different parameters with different values. As you develop a new strategy, the optimization function is going to be of great help in enabling you to determine the best parameter combination.

Last but not least is the walk-forward testing whereby you get to use the parameters that you defined to predict different possible outcomes. These outcomes are not restricted to what was defined on your back-test but are based on a wider range of your strategy.

6. Monte Carlo Simulation

MC simulation analyzes the probabilities of a certain trade since the stock market is defined by uncertainty. This simulation would help you prepare for the worst-case scenario, which cannot be written off in unpredictable conditions.

7. Ranking and Scoring

With this feature, you can perform a ranking on a bar-by-bar basis, and it all depends on your score. This ranking would help you find the most suitable trade.

8. Built-in Debugger

Before you run your formula, this debugger would scan and debug it beforehand.

9. IBController

This is an add-on automated trading interface that was created with interactive brokers in mind. Its importance is that you get the capability of connecting to other brokers through a plug-in that is availed by the IBController.

10. SSLAdd On & Multi-Threading Feature

The purpose of this feature is to enable AmiBroker to send email notifications to the SMTP server when it is required to do so.

What AmiBroker does is that there is a different thread for each formula chart as well the graphics renderer.

Amibroker Services

We have finished discussing the features, and now we are going to check out some of the services that AmiBroker offers its users.

Customer Support

This is an online support system that is there to respond to any queries and issues that you may encounter. The line is open on the five working days, and when you search online, you are going to come across numerous positive reviews that the support has generated.

Amibroker AFL

We already mentioned this service in detail, and it allows you to customize and create your own unique formula. 

Just for clarity, AFL stands for Amibroker formula.

Amiquote Data

This data touches all sectors of the stock market, including features, options, currency, and equity. 

Members’ Area

This is a platform where you will interact with other traders who acquired the Amibroker software from the official site.

Pricing Options

pricing

There are three pricing options for you to choose from. The first one is the Standard version which would cost you $279. Note that this is a one-time fee.

However, this version has some limitations, including one-minute charting intervals, plus you can only look at ten stocks at a go in real-time. On top of that, this version can only use two CPU threads and comes as a 32-bit program.

The second package is the Professional version which costs $339. Here, you get access to more advanced features such as unlimited real-time data and intraday charting intervals.

Besides that, Amibroker comes in the 64-bit version plus can run 32 CPU threads at a go.

The final package is the Ultimate Pro Pack which costs $499. This version includes the Amibroker Professional in addition to the AmiQuote and AFL Code Pack softwares. 

These two software packages can be bought separately from the Ultimate Pro Pack.

The three packages come with 24 months of free upgrades and support. Additionally, the Amibroker Professional has a 30-day trial period after which you will have to acquire a license to continue accessing the package.

Which Trader is The AmiBroker Suited For?

Let us start by stating that this program is designed for experienced traders. Since the platform involves developing and testing trading strategies, the newbies are, in essence, left out of this design.

Then, the program needs a lot of patience from you due to the steep learning curve that you are going to experience. On top of that, you need to be conversant with technical analysis so as to use this program.

Day-traders and end-of-day traders can find this program to be useful, mainly due to the function-based scans. The long-term investors can also find a home in this program with the back-testing and walk-forward testing features being of great benefit.

All in all, the program is quite flexible such that you can use it over multiple timescales.

The AmiBroker Crack Version

If you want to get the original version of this program, you should go to the website and follow the download instructions given. 

There is a crack version available, but we strongly advise you against using it. This is due to the following reasons:

  • This version does not offer you all the features of the program
  • It may result in a sudden crash or license error
  • Whereas licensed users get Free Amiquote data, the crack version does not have this service
  • The developers do not offer any support to this crack version
  • Another is that Amibroker may stop updating altogether should all the users start using the crack version

Pros

  • All trading accounts receive outstanding customer support
  • It is one of the fastest back-testing tools
  • Coding is relatively simple 
  • Very affordable
  • The technical charts are highly versatile
  • AmiBroker can optimize a strategy automatically based on different parameters
  • Most of the features that the program has are customizable
  • End of Day data is available at no cost

Cons

  • It is not suited for first-time traders
  • The users have to understand programming languages such as HTML, C++, and so on
  • It limits you to one database per session

Conclusion

If you want to have a safe and satisfying trading experience, this program will go some way in getting you there. The only thing is that you may need to have a wealthy technical background, including coding and programing language so that you can make the most of AmiBroker.

In general, there are numerous useful features that any trader would find useful. By dissecting all the useful aspects of the program, we hope that if you can find Ami Broker to be appealing even if you have previously felt left out.

So why don’t you try it out and see if your trading experience becomes worthwhile?