Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) vs BacktestLoop
By Jay Rocco, Chief Editor, FullStack Alpha. Updated . Prices checked on each vendor's own site.
Quick answer
Pick Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) for options analytics. Pick BacktestLoop for backtesting plus strategy builder.
Key differences
- Cheaper paid plan: BacktestLoop ($89.40/mo vs $7.99/mo)
- Free plan: BacktestLoop (BacktestLoop has one, Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) does not)
- Broader feature set: BacktestLoop (5 vs 8 core capabilities)
- API access: BacktestLoop (Only BacktestLoop has it)
- Backtesting: BacktestLoop (Only BacktestLoop has it)
- Options analytics: Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) (Only Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) has it)
Pick Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) if
- You trade options
- Dealer positioning and gamma
- Options flow traders
- Live trading room learners
Pick BacktestLoop if
- You test strategies before risking money
- You want to build your own strategies
- Testing ideas in plain English
- Python-curious strategy builders
Side by side
| Feature | Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) | BacktestLoop |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $89.40/mo | Free, paid from $7.99/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Charting | Yes | Yes |
| Backtesting | No | Yes |
| Strategy builder | No | Yes |
| Paper trading | Yes | Yes |
| AI chat assistant | Yes | Yes |
| Options analytics | Yes | No |
| Community | Yes | No |
| Education | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| API access | No | Yes |
| MCP / AI connector | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker)
- Community: $149/mo
- Initiate: $349/mo
- Pro: $699/mo
BacktestLoop
- Free: Free, 15 credits once
- Starter: $7.99/mo
- Basic: $19.99/mo
- Pro: $49.99/mo
- Ultra: $199.99/mo
Questions people ask
What is the main difference between Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) and BacktestLoop?
Pick Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) for options analytics. Pick BacktestLoop for backtesting plus strategy builder.
Which is cheaper, Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) or BacktestLoop?
BacktestLoop has the cheaper paid plan: $89.40/mo for Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) vs $7.99/mo for BacktestLoop (monthly equivalent, checked Oct 2026).
Do Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) or BacktestLoop have a free plan?
Only BacktestLoop has a free plan.
Which is better for beginners?
Both target advanced users. Start with whichever has the free plan or trial so you can test before you pay.
Which has better AI features?
BacktestLoop goes deeper on AI with 4 AI features (AI chat assistant, strategy builder, MCP / AI connector, backtesting).
Can I connect Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) or BacktestLoop to ChatGPT or Claude?
Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) and BacktestLoop offer an MCP server or official AI connector.
Is Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) or BacktestLoop better for active trading?
They are about even on active-trading features (alerts, scanning, signals and charts).
Should I use both Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) and BacktestLoop?
It can make sense. They overlap on only 4 core features, so one can fill gaps the other leaves.
Visit Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) · Visit BacktestLoop
Skylit (Heatseeker / Flowseeker) alternatives · BacktestLoop alternatives