# TickSurfers

> TickSurfers is a subscription-based, web-based charting platform with strategy backtest, parameter optimization, walk-forward analysis, multi-chart layouts, options chain & builder with P/L, custom indicators in pure JavaScript (optional WASM/WAT), watchlist with alerts, drawing tools, bar replay, and a trade journal. Official Jake Bernstein indicators are available as a separate add-on. Chart access is offered as Free at no charge and Pro.

Subscribe on https://ticksurfers.com/pricing — **Free** at no charge; **Pro** at $30/month or $300/year for full research tools, private indicators, shared indicators, options workflows, custom code, and more. Launch the chart at https://ticksurfers.com/chart/.

Extended machine-readable summary: https://ticksurfers.com/llms-full.txt · OpenAPI: https://ticksurfers.com/openapi.yaml · Plugin manifest: https://ticksurfers.com/ai-plugin.json · Well-known: https://ticksurfers.com/.well-known/ai-plugin.json

The team at TickSurfers has tested hundreds of indicators, setups, and strategies to find the ones with a real statistical edge. Studies shipping with the platform cover equities, futures, commodities, FX, and cryptocurrencies. Many systems can be automated directly inside the TickSurfers Charting Platform. TickSurfers also publishes documentation with instructional videos and contact channels for custom development requests.

## Charting platform highlights

- Strategy backtest with full trade log, equity curve, profit factor, win rate, drawdown, and per-trade markers — including multi-leg options entries/exits (Pro).
- Parameter optimization grid-search across inputs, symbols, and timeframes; built-in fitness presets plus custom JavaScript fitness scripts (Pro).
- Walk-forward analysis: rolling in-sample optimize + out-of-sample validate to detect curve-fit before risking capital (Pro).
- Multi-chart layouts (single, two-pane, or N-pane grid); colored slot binding to backtest, optimization, walk-forward, options chain, and options builder.
- Options chain with Greeks/IV/last/volume; options builder with templates (long calls, vertical spreads, iron condors, butterflies, calendars, custom multi-leg). Interactive P/L canvas; breakeven markers projected onto the chart (Pro).
- Custom indicators, strategies, and optimization fitness scripts in pure JavaScript — no proprietary language to learn; optional WASM/WAT for performance-critical compute (Pro). Private and shared indicators require Pro.
- Watchlist with custom number/string/formula columns, alerts (above, below, cross), per-row strategy scans, and self-optimization with stored best params per symbol (Pro for advanced watchlist tools).
- Drawing tools (trendline, horizontal/vertical lines, rectangle, circle, triangle, text). Bar replay with autoplay. Trade journal with multi-leg options support and auto-computed stats (Pro for journal).
- Live market data across equities, futures, options, FX, and crypto — managed by TickSurfers; streaming, history, and extended hours are built into the chart, watchlist, and research tools.

## Features (human-facing entry points)

- [Charting platform](https://ticksurfers.com/chart/): Subscription-based charting with strategy backtest, optimization, walk-forward, options chain & builder, custom indicators in JavaScript, multi-charts, drawing, replay, journal. Start charting at no charge and Pro.
- [Platform features overview](https://ticksurfers.com/features): Detailed feature page covering every capability of the chart.
- [Pricing](https://ticksurfers.com/pricing): Start charting at no charge and Pro ($30/month or $300/year). Jake Bernstein indicators sold separately.
- [FAQ](https://ticksurfers.com/faq): What is included at no charge versus Pro, platform capabilities, JB add-ons, billing
- [Indicators](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/): Full catalog of TickSurfers indicators
- [Documentation](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/): Documentation with instructional videos
- [Jake Bernstein indicators](https://ticksurfers.com/jb): Rules-based trading systems and specialized indicators by Jake Bernstein (separate product)
- [Backwardation (Futures Premium)](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/backwardation): Futures Premium / backwardation indicator recommended by Larry Williams
- [Trading Blog](https://ticksurfers.com/blog): Futures, options, and market internals insights

## FAQ (direct answers)

- [What is TickSurfers?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#what-is-ticksurfers): TickSurfers is a subscription-based, web-based charting platform for equities, futures, options, FX, and crypto.
- [Is TickSurfers only a set of indicators?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#charting-platform-not-just-indicators): No. The core product is the TickSurfers Charting Platform — a full research and charting workspace.
- [What is included at no charge versus Pro?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#free-vs-pro): Start charting at no charge; Pro ($30/month or $300/year) unlocks full research tools, private indicators, and shared indicators.
- [How do I subscribe to the charting platform?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#how-to-subscribe): Choose Free or Pro on the pricing page and complete Stripe checkout, then sign in and launch the chart.
- [Does the charting platform work on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#supported-platforms): Yes. TickSurfers Chart is web-based — it runs on desktop and mobile with no desktop install required.
- [Who is Jake Bernstein, and how do I get his indicators?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#jake-bernstein-indicators): Official Jake Bernstein indicators are a separate product from chart subscriptions (Free at no charge or Pro).
- [Can I try TickSurfers before buying Pro?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#try-before-pro): Yes. Start charting at no charge, or contact support to schedule a Pro demo.
- [Do you offer refunds?](https://ticksurfers.com/faq#refunds): No. We do not issue full or partial refunds; all sales are final.
- Full FAQ with every answer: https://ticksurfers.com/faq

### Full List of Indicators

- [Expansion Contraction](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/xc): This one-of-a-kind indicator was created by Brian Latta and is based on Jake Bernstein’s trading systems. Expansion Contraction is the first concurrent and dual perspective system indicator with over 30 tradable conditions.
- [Williams Acc/Dist](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/will_ad): Larry Williams’ accumulation and distribution formula with a simple moving average of WillAD, used by Jake Bernstein with a 57 period simple moving average. Use in combination with Jake’s trading systems to confirm trend direction.
- [Benner Cycle](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/benner_cycle): Visualize Samuel Benner’s market cycles in TickSurfers. Set the chart to a 1-year timeframe with the SPX index and plot the Benner Cycle Indicator to see past, future and current cycle predictions.
- [ADD Ratio](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/add): Get raw ADD readings, ADD Ratio and ADD Breadth all in one indicator. This indicator is designed for day traders but can be used by anyone to gauge market internals.
- [Backwardation (Premium)](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/backwardation): Calculate backwardation (or contract premium) readings for Futures and Commodities. When the backwardation reading crosses above zero it means the market is setup for a bullish move. Does not work in reverse. This reading works only for bullish readings.
- [COT Report](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/cot): Follow the “big money” or “smart money” traders with this Commitment of Traders (COT) Report indicator. This indicator includes disaggregated data in addition to the legacy data.
- [Keltner Clouds](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/keltner_clouds): This multi-talented indicator makes use of every plot line to provide you with useful information in a minimalistic approach. It provides 3 (adjustable) ATR bands of the Keltner Channel without cluttering the chart. In addition, it uses the middle band to provide you with various options for color-coded visual indicators.
- [Offense / Defense Line (OD Line)](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/od_line): A market breadth indicator that measures offensive ETF sectors versus defensive sectors. When the OD line increases it can be an indicator of market uncertainty. As it decreases it indicates a bullish market.
- [AVOL (Ext. Hours Average Volume)](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/avol): A measurement of pre-market volume used to identify stocks in play that have a higher likelihood of follow through in momentum.
- [RVOL (Relative Volume)](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/rvol): Relative Volume or RVOL is a measurement of current volume to average volume at time. It’s typically miscalculated by comparing current volume against average volume (which is more accurately described as Volume Z-Score, also available by TickSurfers).
- [Seasonality](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/seasonality): This professionally-built seasonality indicator creates a calculation that plots one year into the future so you can spot upcoming seasonality trends in time. Tooltips are added to give you insights into the win rate, history and direction of seasonality.
- [Hedge Up](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/hedge_up): This proprietary formula is akin to a fear gauge for the S&P 500 exclusively. Able to determine when volatility is expected to expand days (sometimes weeks) in advance.
- [Cumulative TICK](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/tick): Get raw TICK readings or cumulative TICK calculation all in one indicator. An important gauge of market internals that can be used alongside ADD and VOLD readings.
- [TRIN (Arms Index)](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/trin): A market breadth indicator developed by Richard W. Arms in 1967 to measure market strength. It is plotted as a ratio by dividing ADD ratio by VOLD ratio.
- [VIX Ratio](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/vix): In addition to providing a raw reading of the VIX, this indicator provides access to VIX ratio, a powerful formula that can spot bullish market reversals after a strong sell-off.
- [Volatility Cycle](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/volatility_cycle): The volatility cycle indicator measures the strength of a trend, not the direction. Useful in spotting compression or expansion in prices.
- [VOLD Ratio](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/vold): View raw VOLD readings or VOLD ratio. This market internal goes hand-in-hand with ADD and TICK indexes.
- [Volume Z-Score](https://ticksurfers.com/indicators/volume_z-score): Volume Z-Score (not to be confused with RVOL) compares current volume against average volume. This indicator provides insights into strong bullish volume or strong bearish volume to help spot significant volume in any direction.

### Documentation

- [Advance Decline Index ($ADD)](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/add)
- [Advance Decline Volume ($VOLD)](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/vold)
- [Advance Decline Ticks ($TICK)](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/tick)
- [Offense Defense Line](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/od_line)
- [Relative Volume (RVOL)](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/rvol)
- [Ext. Hours Percent AVOL](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/avol)
- [Volume Z-Score](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/volume_z-score)
- [Volatility Cycle](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/volatility_cycle)
- [Market Internals](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/internals)
- [Seasonality](https://ticksurfers.com/docs/seasonality)

### Blog

- [Why Traders Overtrade and How to Stop It](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=why-traders-overtrade): Why traders overtrade: identify the triggers behind excess entries, then use rules, limits, and data to restore disciplined execution in volatile markets.
- [Trade Opening Range Breakouts With Rules](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=trade-opening-range-breakouts): Trade opening range breakouts with objective rules, volume context, risk controls, and market filters for more disciplined intraday execution every session.
- [Price Action Rules Guide for Disciplined Traders](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=price-action-rules-guide): This price action rules guide shows active traders how to define context, entries, stops, and exits with objective rules for consistent daily execution.
- [VWAP vs Moving Averages for Better Trade Decisions](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=vwap-vs-moving-averages): Compare VWAP vs moving averages for day trading and swing trading. Learn when each tool adds context, defines risk, and supports objective execution plans.
- [Data Driven Trading Education for Better Rules](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=data-driven-trading-education): Data driven trading education teaches traders to test signals, define risk, and execute rules with more consistency across changing market conditions daily.
- [How to Use Implied Volatility Rank in Trading](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-use-implied-volatility-rank): Learn how to use implied volatility rank to structure options trades, set risk, and avoid poor premium decisions with clear, rules-based market context.
- [A Guide to Seasonality Analysis for Traders](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=guide-to-seasonality-analysis): Use this guide to seasonality analysis to test recurring market tendencies, build trading rules, and separate evidence from calendar noise with discipline.
- [Volume Indicators for More Precise Trade Decisions](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=volume-indicators-trade-decisions): Learn how volume indicators expose participation, confirm price structure, and strengthen rules-based trade decisions across liquid markets with rules.
- [What Causes False Breakouts in Trading?](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=what-causes-false-breakouts): Learn what causes false breakouts and how volume, liquidity, timing, and rules-based confirmation can help traders avoid low-quality trade entries daily.
- [Top Trading Performance Metrics That Matter](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=top-trading-performance-metrics): Top trading performance metrics reveal whether your edge is real. Track returns, risk, expectancy, drawdown, and execution quality with daily discipline.
- [Risk Management for Traders Who Want Consistency](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=risk-management-for-traders): Risk management gives traders a framework for sizing positions, defining exits, and protecting capital through changing market conditions with discipline.
- [How to Validate Algorithmic Trading Signals](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=validate-algorithmic-trading-signals): Learn how to validate algorithmic trading signals with clean data, realistic costs, out-of-sample testing, and rules that hold up in live markets daily.
- [How to Use Breadth Indicators for Trade Timing](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-use-breadth-indicators): Learn how to use breadth indicators to confirm trend strength, participation shifts, and build rules-based entries, exits, and risk controls in real time.
- [Volume Analysis Trading Example: Rules-Based Setup](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=volume-analysis-trading-example): See a volume analysis trading example that turns price, participation, and risk into a rules-based plan for higher-quality trade decisions with control.
- [How to Create Trade Alerts That Support Discipline](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-create-trade-alerts): Learn how to create trade alerts with objective triggers, timing rules, and risk controls that help active traders act with discipline under pressure.
- [A Serious Trader’s Guide to Multi Asset Trading](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=guide-to-multi-asset-trading): A guide to multi asset trading for serious traders: build rules, manage correlation, size risk, and use data to execute with greater consistency daily.
- [7 Best Tools for Market Breadth Traders Use](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=best-tools-for-market-breadth): Compare the best tools for market breadth, learn which indicators matter, and build rules-based signals that improve timing, confirmation, and risk control daily.
- [How to Trade Seasonal Patterns With Rules](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-trade-seasonal-patterns): Learn how to trade seasonal patterns with objective entry, exit, and risk rules. Test the edge, control exposure, and execute with discipline in markets.
- [Trade Setup Confirmation Checklist: 7 Rules](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=trade-setup-confirmation-checklist): Use a trade setup confirmation checklist to filter weak signals, define risk, and execute high-probability trades with rules and discipline every session.
- [Trading Indicator Software Review for Serious Traders](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=trading-indicator-software-review-serious-traders): A trading indicator software review for serious traders: assess data quality, rules, testing, workflow, and support before committing capital to a platform.
- [Stock Breadth Indicators That Improve Trade Timing](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=stock-breadth-indicators): Learn how stock breadth indicators measure market participation, confirm trends, and sharpen trade timing with rules-based signals for active traders.
- [Manual Trading vs Automation: Which Fits You?](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=manual-trading-vs-automation): Manual trading vs automation is not a binary choice. Build a rules-based workflow that protects execution, adapts to conditions, and scales with control.
- [Volume Profile vs Order Flow: Which Fits Your Plan?](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=volume-profile-vs-order-flow): Compare volume profile vs order flow to build clearer trade rules, identify key auction levels, and improve execution each session.
- [Objective Trade Entry Rules That Improve Execution](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=objective-trade-entry-rules): Build objective trade entry rules that reduce hesitation, define risk, and help serious traders execute high-probability setups with greater consistency.
- [A Guide to Futures Trade Planning That Holds Up](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=guide-to-futures-trade-planning): Use this guide to futures trade planning to define risk, select setups, and execute rules that hold under pressure through changing market conditions.
- [Objective Trading Plan Framework for Better Execution](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=objective-trading-plan-framework): Build an objective trading plan framework with defined setups, risk limits, and review rules that turn market analysis into consistent execution daily.
- [Trading Automation Trends Serious Traders Watch](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=trading-automation-trends-serious-traders-watch): Trading automation trends are shifting toward better data, tighter risk controls, and rules serious traders can test before putting capital at real risk.
- [How to Automate Trading Signals With Control](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-automate-trading-signals): Learn how to automate trading signals with rules, testing, alerts, and execution controls that help serious traders pursue more consistent decisions.
- [How to Confirm Breakout Volume With Rules](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-confirm-breakout-volume): Learn how to confirm breakout volume using relative volume, price acceptance, and market context to filter weak moves and plan higher-probability trades.
- [How to Use Volatility Filters in Trading](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-use-volatility-filters): Learn how to use volatility filters to define tradable conditions, size risk correctly, and improve signal quality across markets and timeframes each day.
- [How to Validate Trade Setups With Clear Rules](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-validate-trade-setups): Learn how to validate trade setups with objective filters for trend, location, volume, risk, and execution before capital is committed in live markets.
- [Best Crypto Trading Signals for Serious Traders](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=best-crypto-trading-signals): Find the best crypto trading signals for serious traders. Learn how to evaluate signal quality, manage risk, and build a rules-based process.
- [A Practical Guide to Algorithmic Indicators](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=practical-guide-to-algorithmic-indicators): A practical guide to algorithmic indicators for serious traders. Learn how rules-based tools improve timing, reduce noise, and support consistency.
- [Trading Indicators vs Algorithms Explained](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=trading-indicators-vs-algorithms): Trading indicators vs algorithms: understand how each works, where each fits, and how serious traders use both for rules-based decisions.
- [Forex Volatility Indicators That Matter](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=forex-volatility-indicators-that-matter): Learn how forex volatility indicators help traders measure risk, time entries, and build rules-based setups for changing market conditions.
- [8 Best Signal Confirmation Tools for Traders](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=best-signal-confirmation-tools): Learn the best signal confirmation tools traders use to filter weak setups, improve timing, and build more consistent, rules-based trade decisions.
- [How Crypto Trading Signal Systems Really Work](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-crypto-trading-signal-systems-really-work): Learn how crypto trading signal systems work, what separates noise from edge, and how serious traders use rules-based signals for better decisions.
- [7 Best Volatility Indicators for Traders](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=best-volatility-indicators-for-traders): Learn the best volatility indicators for traders, how each works, where they fail, and how to apply them in rules-based trade planning.
- [A Guide to Systematic Trading That Works](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=guide-to-systematic-trading): A guide to systematic trading for serious traders who want rules, risk control, testing discipline, and repeatable execution across markets.
- [A Futures Trading System Example That Holds Up](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=futures-trading-system-example): A futures trading system example with clear entry, exit, risk, and testing rules. See how serious traders turn market logic into repeatable execution.
- [Smart Money Trading Indicators That Matter](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=smart-money-trading-indicators-that-matter): Learn how smart money trading indicators help serious traders read volume, liquidity, and structure with clearer, rules-based decisions.
- [Day Trading Checklist Template That Works](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=day-trading-checklist-template): Use a day trading checklist template to filter setups, manage risk, and improve execution with a rules-based routine built for serious traders.
- [7 Best Indicators for Futures Trading](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=best-indicators-for-futures-trading): Discover the best indicators for futures trading, how to combine them, and where each works best for building precise, rules-based trade setups.
- [System Trading Plan Guide for Serious Traders](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=system-trading-plan-guide-serious-traders): A system trading plan guide for serious traders who want rules-based entries, risk control, testing standards, and consistent execution.
- [Future of Trading Automation: What Changes](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=future-of-trading-automation-what-changes): The future of trading automation will favor rules, data quality, and trader oversight over hype, reshaping execution, risk control, and edge.
- [Why Do Trading Signals Fail So Often?](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=why-do-trading-signals-fail): Why do trading signals fail? Learn the real causes behind bad entries, weak context, poor execution, and broken market assumptions.
- [How to Read Volume Divergence Correctly](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-read-volume-divergence-correctly): Learn how to read volume divergence correctly with rules-based methods that help traders confirm trend strength, spot weakness, and time entries.
- [Algorithmic vs Discretionary Trading](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=algorithmic-vs-discretionary-trading): Algorithmic vs discretionary trading comes down to speed, consistency, and judgment. Learn which approach fits your edge and workflow.
- [A Guide to Rules Based Trading](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=guide-to-rules-based-trading): A guide to rules based trading for active traders who want objective entries, defined risk, and repeatable execution across markets.
- [How to Build Trading Rules That Hold Up](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-build-trading-rules-that-hold-up): Learn how to build trading rules that improve discipline, define edge, and create repeatable decisions across markets and timeframes.
- [How Market Internals Indicators Improve Timing](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-market-internals-indicators-improve-timing): Market internals indicators help traders read participation, breadth, and pressure beneath price so entries, exits, and trade filters improve.
- [Futures Trading Mentorship Review](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=futures-trading-mentorship-review): A futures trading mentorship review for serious traders. Learn what matters, what to avoid, and how to judge coaching by process, edge, and results.
- [Swing Trading vs Day Trading](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=swing-trading-vs-day-trading): Swing trading vs day trading comes down to time, risk, and execution. Learn which style fits your schedule, mindset, and edge best.
- [Market Internals vs Price Action](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=market-internals-vs-price-action): Market internals vs price action: learn when each matters, where each fails, and how serious traders combine both for cleaner decisions.
- [How to Automate Trade Entries the Right Way](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-automate-trade-entries): Learn how to automate trade entries with rules-based logic, clean execution, and risk controls that support consistent trading decisions.
- [How to Use Market Internals in Real Trades](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-use-market-internals-in-real-trades): Learn how to use market internals to confirm trend strength, spot weak rallies, and build rules-based trade entries and exits with more confidence.
- [Algorithmic Trading Indicators Review](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=algorithmic-trading-indicators-review): Algorithmic trading indicators review for serious traders: what matters, what fails, and how to judge signals, timing, and rule quality.
- [Breadth Indicators for Stocks That Matter](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=breadth-indicators-for-stocks-that-matter): Breadth indicators for stocks help traders measure participation, trend quality, and risk so entries and exits rely on data, not market noise.
- [How to Backtest Trading Indicators Correctly](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=how-to-backtest-trading-indicators-correctly): Learn how to backtest trading indicators with rules-based methods, clean data, and realistic assumptions to measure edge before risking capital.
- [Rules Based Trading Systems That Hold Up](https://ticksurfers.com/blog?post=rules-based-trading-systems-that-hold-up): Rules based trading systems help serious traders remove guesswork, improve execution, and build repeatable decision-making across markets.

## Contact

- [Contact](https://ticksurfers.com/contact): Custom indicator or strategy development; mentorship; general questions
- [Email](mailto:support@ticksurfers.com)