TradingView vs thinkorswim: paper trading compared
TradingView Paper Trading is a charting platform; Schwab thinkorswim paperMoney is a broker demo. Here is how their paper trading compares using only facts from provider pages and cited reviews (see each listing's sources).
Price: TradingView — Free (any TradingView plan); thinkorswim — Free. Market data: TradingView — US stocks Cboe feed by default; CME futures 10-min delayed unless real-time bought; crypto real-time; thinkorswim — Real-time simulated market data (paperMoney).
Account: TradingView — Free TradingView account; thinkorswim — Schwab login, or 30-day Guest Pass without account (not extendable). Virtual balance: TradingView — $100,000 default (per StockBrokers.com via SnappChart); thinkorswim — $100,000. Reset: TradingView — Yes (reset sets new balance, currency and leverage; clears history); thinkorswim — unknown.
Markets: TradingView — global (most TradingView symbols); thinkorswim — US. Platforms: TradingView — web, desktop, mobile; thinkorswim — desktop, web, mobile.
Key differences in our data: TradingView adds crypto, indices; thinkorswim adds options.
Pick the one that matches the market you plan to trade and the country you live in — the availability rows below show which countries each provider confirms.
| TradingView Paper Trading | Schwab thinkorswim paperMoney | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | charting platform | broker demo |
| Markets | global (most TradingView symbols) | US |
| Assets | stocks, forex, crypto, futures, indices | stocks, options, futures, forex |
| Data | US stocks Cboe feed by default; CME futures 10-min delayed unless real-time bought; crypto real-time | Real-time simulated market data (paperMoney) |
| Price | Free (any TradingView plan) | Free |
| Account | Free TradingView account | Schwab login, or 30-day Guest Pass without account (not extendable) |
| Starting balance | $100,000 default (per StockBrokers.com via SnappChart) | $100,000 |
| Reset | Yes (reset sets new balance, currency and leverage; clears history) | unknown |
| Replay | Bar Replay (separate mode) | unknown |
| Platforms | web, desktop, mobile | desktop, web, mobile |
| Limits | No options in paper trading (per SnappChart) | Guest Pass limited to 30 days |
| Country availability | Available globally (provider statement) 'Paper Trading is available globally for all users' (TradingView help) | Confirmed in some countries; others unverified Available: US Guest Pass offered on schwab.com and international.schwab.com; no eligible-country list published for Guest Pass |
| Available in US | Available (verified) | Available (verified) |
| Available in UK | Available (verified) | Unverified |
| Available in IN | Available (verified) | Unverified |
| Available in AU | Available (verified) | Unverified |
| Available in CA | Available (verified) | Unverified |
FAQ
Is TradingView or thinkorswim free for paper trading?
TradingView: Free (any TradingView plan). thinkorswim: Free.
Which has real-time data, TradingView or thinkorswim?
TradingView: US stocks Cboe feed by default; CME futures 10-min delayed unless real-time bought; crypto real-time. thinkorswim: Real-time simulated market data (paperMoney).
Do TradingView and thinkorswim require an account?
TradingView: Free TradingView account. thinkorswim: Schwab login, or 30-day Guest Pass without account (not extendable).
Where are TradingView and thinkorswim available?
TradingView: Available globally (provider statement) 'Paper Trading is available globally for all users' (TradingView help) . thinkorswim: Confirmed in some countries; others unverified Available: US Guest Pass offered on schwab.com and international.schwab.com; no eligible-country list published for Guest Pass .
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Information only, not financial advice. Simulated results do not predict real results. Features and availability change and vary by country; check the provider's site. Sponsored or affiliate links, if any, are labelled.