Written by Blain Reinkensmeyer, Sam Levine, CFA, CMT
Edited by Carolyn Kimball
Fact-checked by Steven Hatzakis
December 22, 2023
There’s simply no way around it: It’s hard to do great analysis with lousy charts. Whether you are a seasoned stock trader, a casual investor, or someone who wouldn’t know a cup and saucer pattern if it was thrown at your head and shoulders, here’s our list of the best charting websites for different needs.
We focused on design, ease of use, tools and customizability. In short, the best chart analysis website is the one that provides you exactly the information you want in an attractive way and with a minimum of fuss.
Every stock charting service reviewed here offers premium subscriptions in addition to free options. If you’re not satisfied with the choices here, many brokers provide comprehensive charting with no minimum deposit or monthly fee. Check out 2023’s Best Day Trading Platform guide on our sister site, StockBrokers.com.
Best Free Stock Charts Websites
- TradingView - Best free charting website overall
- TD Ameritrade - Best broker-provided charting package
- StockCharts.com - Best for technical analysis education
- Yahoo Finance - Best for ease of use
- Stock Rover - Best for free analysis
5.0 Overall
Review
Best free charting website overall
TradingView offers the ultimate clean and flexible experience for looking at stock charts. It’s no wonder many brokers license TradingView charts and widgets for their own sites. There's also a great mobile app on offer.
Where the world charts, chats and trades.
5.0 Overall
Review
Best broker-provided charting package
TD Ameritrade, a full-service online broker that is best known for its trader technology, offers excellent charts with hundreds of technical indicators, and real-time streaming data is included.
4.5 Overall
Review
Best for technical analysis education
StockCharts.com, one of the grandaddies of internet charting, impresses with its Advanced Charting Platform (ACP), which offers terrific customization. Many features, however, are locked behind a paywall.
4.5 Overall
Review
Best for ease of use
Yahoo Finance offers clean HTML5 charts that are clear, easy to use, and ideal for everyday investors, and it's now beta testing a rich charting experience with great tools as well.
4.0 Overall
Review
Best for free analysis
StockRover offers great analyst ratings, clear charts and solid presentation of fundamental data, though its best assets are tied to subscription accounts.
Create Your Free Stock Rover Account!
1. TradingView
TradingView offers the ultimate clean and flexible experience for looking at stock charts. It’s no wonder many brokers license TradingView charts and widgets for their own sites.
Charts are exquisitely detailed and the service is less expensive than rival StockCharts.com (more on that below) if you feel you need a premium package. There are user delights throughout the site — for example, how the ticker box remembers the symbols you’ve already entered. It’s easier than creating a watch list.
The site hosts an active community passionately sharing ideas and advice on tons of chat channels. Sophisticated traders will appreciate the wide variety of techniques discussed in chats, while novices will be exposed to many traders’ opinions and forecasts. One negative: No one needs ro read the foul language seen on the chats. TradingView moderators need to step it up.
There’s also a killer mobile app. It has the same smooth charts as the website and it’s easy to mark them up, which is quite a feat on a phone. You can find a quick video demo below.
As with StockCharts, you can use TradingView as your trading platform if you link it to your brokerage account. Some of the brokers that can link with TradingView include TradeStation, Interactive Brokers, Tradier, and Ally Invest. Before opening an account, check out our detailed reviews and comparisons (especially as regards pricing) on our sister site, StockBrokers.com.
- Pros: Most flexible stock charts, excellent community features including chat rooms, easy sharing, and over 100 charting tools and indicators included.
- Cons: Pop-up ads.
TradingView gallery
2. TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade is a full-service online broker that is best known for its trader technology. It took top honors for Best Platforms and Tools in the 2023 Annual Broker Review on our sister site, StockBrokers.com. Mobile traders, rejoice: TD Ameritrade also took the gold for Best Mobile Trader App for its thinkorswim Mobile.
There is no minimum deposit to open an account and download the trading platform. When you're ready to trade, just fund your account. TD Ameritrade charges $0 for everyday stock and ETF trades. If you’re newer to stock trading, TD Ameritrade is also a winner for beginners. To dive deeper, see the full TD Ameritrade review on out sister site, StockBrokers.com.
Important note: TD Ameritrade is in the process of being acquired by Charles Schwab. We expect TD Ameritrade’s excellent thinkorswim trading platform to continue at Schwab, but broker acquisitions mean changes. We will update this section over time.
- Pros: Excellent charts with hundreds of technical indicators. Real-time streaming data included.
- Cons: Even though no minimum deposit is required, you must first open an account to download the trading platform.
TD Ameritrade gallery
3. StockCharts.com
StockCharts.com is one of the granddaddies of internet charting, but it can still flex on some of the younger folk. SC continues to offer its long-established SharpCharts suite, but its newer Advanced Charting Platform, or ACP, is where you’ll find best in class ease of customization. Regardless of whether you prefer ACP or SharpCharts, too many features are locked behind a paywall.
Even with a restrictive paywall, there’s still plenty of value in hitting the site. Browsing through the market commentary and education sections feels like strolling on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for technical analysts. Scouting around the site yielded articles and videos from famed technicians Tom McClellan, Larry Williams, Greg Morris and David Keller, among others. Also available – but behind the paywall – are posts from the legendary Martin Pring and John Murphy.
- ACP is powerful, intuitive and attractive. Articles and video content comes from the Who’s Who of technical analysis. Premium members can open and link a Tradier Brokerage account to execute trades directly through StockCharts (see a full review of Tradier on our sister site, StockBrokers.com).
- Cons: Real-time data, along with many other features, requires a subscription.
StockCharts.com gallery
4. Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance offers clean HTML5 charts that are clear, easy to use, and ideal for everyday investors. Yahoo Finance is also an excellent website for stock quotes, research, and news (other than the annoying ads).
As we were testing out these sites, Yahoo was beta testing a rich charting experience. Don’t settle for the first chart that pops up on the quote screen. Click on the “full chart” link to get the whole shebang experience. Do you want a Guppy Multiple Moving Average on your charts? You got it. There’s also automated pattern recognition, a feature this lazy chartist loves, especially when it’s free. Unfortunately, advanced charting features like key event overlays require a subscription to Yahoo Finance Plus' Essential tier for $35 per month.
- Pros: Comprehensive choice of indicators. Great tools and clean, full-screen stock charts that are easy to read and customize.
- Cons: Ads; premium pricing is listed monthly but only billed annually; the best features are locked away behind a paywall.
5. Stock Rover
While Stock Rover’s best assets are tied to its subscription accounts, the free registered version has much to recommend it, specifically in how it aligns fundamental data with a traditional price chart.
Overall, the charts are good, though limited in terms of number of indicators (15) and max historical time frame. Chart zoomers and scrollers will be happier on TradingView, StockCharts’ ACP and TD Ameritrade’s thinkorswim. Still, Stock Rover packs plenty of features under the hood, especially in the paid versions. Stock Rover also offers market news and information on a wide range of stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds and commodities.
- Pros: Analyst ratings, clear charts and solid presentation of fundamental data.
- Cons: Stock Rover won’t be a top choice for pure technical analysts. Some of the labeling is odd and there’s no manual annotation on charts.
Honorable mention: FINVIZ
FINVIZ missed our top picks for stock chart websites, but its homepage is one our favorites for stock screening. It’s easy to imagine using the premium version as a daily research workstation.
FINVIZ charts are very simple but at least moving averages and volume are included by default. Basic features, such as intraday and fullscreen charts and OHLC bars, require upgrading to FINVIZ Elite for $39.50 per month (or $24.96 per month with an annual subscription).
- Pros: Additional fundamental data is also displayed right below each chart, including analyst ratings.
- Cons: Intrusive ads on the free version. Basic stock charts offer very limited customization on free version.
Where can I chart stocks for free?
The best free stock charts are on TradingView. Other free charting websites include StockCharts.com, FINVIZ, Stock Rover and Yahoo Finance. Traders can also open an account at many U.S. brokers for free and chart stocks, even with a zero balance.
What is the best free stock chart?
TradingView has the best free stock charts. They are crisp, easy to use, highly customizable and update with real-time quotes. TD Ameritrade’s overall offering is also impressive, but be aware that it requires opening a brokerage account. For pure stock charts, Yahoo Finance’s real-time ChartIQ-powered charts are hard to beat.
Is TradingView free?
TradingView has both free and premium options. Most individual investors should be satisfied with the free tier, but active traders will likely crave a premium account. Another option is to trade with a broker that uses TradingView charts, such as TradeStation, Interactive Brokers, Tradier, and Ally Invest.
Is there a free version of StockCharts?
StockCharts.com offers free, limited-features charting on its homepage but does not offer a free account. There is a 30-day free trial available for its premium services, which start at $14.95 per month. You will have to provide payment information to access the 30-day trial.
Best free stock charts features comparison
| Website | Base Cost | Premium Version | Best Feature | Rating |
| TradingView.com | Free | $12.95/mo+ | Clean, comprehensive charting | 5 Stars |
| TD Ameritrade | $0 minimum deposit | N/A | Hundreds of indicators | 5 Stars |
| StockCharts.com | Free | $14.95/mo+ | Education and commentary | 4.5 Stars |
| Yahoo Finance | Free | $249.96/year | Powerful advanced charting | 4.5 Stars |
| Stock Rover | Free | $7.99/mo+ | Charting fundamentals | 4 Stars |
| FINVIZ.com | Free | $24.96/mo | Automated analysis | 3 Stars |
Read Next
Explore our other online trading guides:
- 5 Best Online Stockbrokers
- 6 Best Trading Journals and How to Journal Successfully
- 20 Best Stock Trading Books
- 6 Best Free Stock Chart Websites
- 10 Great Ways to Learn Stock Trading
- How to Read Stock Charts
- 7 Best Free Stock Screeners
- Why Day Trading is a Loser's Game
- How to Invest (Beginner's Guide)
As a seasoned financial analyst and enthusiast with a deep understanding of stock market analysis and charting tools, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts covered in the article written by Blain Reinkensmeyer and Sam Levine, CFA, CMTE, and edited by Carolyn Kimball. I possess first-hand expertise in the field of financial analysis and have actively used and evaluated various charting websites.
The article, published on December 22, 2023, discusses the importance of effective charting for investors and traders and lists the best charting websites for different needs. The criteria for evaluation include design, ease of use, tools, and customizability. Here's a breakdown of the concepts and information presented in the article:
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Introduction:
- The opening emphasizes the crucial role of quality charts in financial analysis.
- It highlights that the listed charting services offer both free and premium options.
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List of Best Charting Websites:
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TradingView:
- Recognized as the best free charting website overall.
- Described as providing a clean and flexible experience with detailed charts.
- Mentioned that many brokers license TradingView charts for their own sites.
- Noted for its active community, diverse chat channels, and a mobile app.
- Pros include flexibility, excellent community features, and over 100 charting tools.
- Cons include pop-up ads.
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TD Ameritrade:
- Acknowledged as a full-service online broker with excellent charts.
- Won Best Platforms and Tools in the 2023 Annual Broker Review.
- Highlighted for its thinkorswim Mobile app and no minimum deposit requirement.
- Pros include excellent charts with hundreds of technical indicators.
- Cons include the need to open an account to access the trading platform.
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StockCharts.com:
- Recognized as one of the pioneers in internet charting.
- Praised for the Advanced Charting Platform (ACP) with extensive customization.
- Mentioned that some features are behind a paywall.
- Pros include powerful and intuitive ACP.
- Cons include the requirement for a subscription for real-time data.
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Yahoo Finance:
- Identified as offering clean HTML5 charts suitable for everyday investors.
- Known for its ease of use and beta testing a rich charting experience.
- Pros include comprehensive choice of indicators and tools.
- Cons include ads, and premium features behind a paywall.
-
Stock Rover:
- Acknowledged for analyst ratings, clear charts, and fundamental data presentation.
- Noted that its best assets are tied to subscription accounts.
- Pros include clear charts and solid presentation of fundamental data.
- Cons include limited indicators and some odd labeling on charts.
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Honorable Mention: FINVIZ:
- Recognized for its homepage as a favorite for stock screening.
- Mentioned that basic features are free, but advanced features require a subscription.
- Pros include additional fundamental data displayed below each chart.
- Cons include intrusive ads on the free version.
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FAQs about Free Stock Charts:
- Answers common questions about where to chart stocks for free and the best free stock chart.
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Comparison Table:
- Provides a comparison of features, base costs, and premium versions for each charting website.
In summary, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the best charting websites in 2023, catering to different needs and preferences of investors and traders. The evaluations are based on factors such as design, ease of use, tools, and customizability, reflecting a commitment to providing accurate and insightful information to the audience.
