AmiBroker

Multi-Tool Platform — Paid

Windows charting and backtesting software with AFL scripting for custom momentum scans

AFL formula language for scripting any scan, exploration or backtest

Overview

AmiBroker is a multi-tool platform for Windows that combines charting, scanning and portfolio-level backtesting, built for advanced, systematic traders who want to code their own rules rather than use someone else's canned indicators. It's not a beginner tool; this is aimed at people comfortable writing formulas to define exactly what a scan or backtest should do. If you want to build a relative strength or trend-template scan from scratch, this is built for that.

The AFL formula language is the core strength, letting traders script any custom scan, exploration report or backtest instead of working within a fixed set of filters. Backtesting runs at the portfolio level with optimization built in, so systematic traders can test how a full set of rules performs across many positions at once, not just one ticker in isolation. Licensing is also perpetual rather than a subscription, so once you own a copy, there's no recurring fee eating into returns every month going forward.

Two things are worth weighing before buying. AmiBroker's public reputation rests on a small number of Trustpilot reviews, so there isn't a deep pool of outside feedback to lean on when deciding. It's also Windows-only with no Mac version, and digital downloads are non-refundable once an activation key is issued, so there's no walking it back after purchase if it turns out to be the wrong fit.

Coverage spans US and global stocks across day trading, swing trading and long-term investing, with semi-automated execution and a free trial available before you commit to buying. Pricing starts at $299 one-time under a paid, non-subscription model. There's no mobile app or API access, so this stays a desktop tool built for people who want to run their own code, not check charts from a phone. This AmiBroker review points toward advanced, code-comfortable systematic traders who want full control over their scans. Beginners and Mac users should look elsewhere.

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