eSignal (trading platform)
Significant cost, haven’t tested, very mainstream
Sierra Charts (charting, backtesting, options?)
Alternative to multi-charts. Posted message in forum on April 6, 2017 to see if auto trading was possible.
https://www.sierrachart.com/SupportBoard.php?
Better than multicharts according to write up from friend of Jim.
Interactive Brokers (platform and broker)
www.interactivebrokers.com
Allows lots of connectivity for outside platforms, no built-in algo tools, all third party, has options
Software List
www.interactivebrokers.com/Universal/servlet/MarketPlace.MarketPlaceServlet
Charting
https://gdcdyn.interactivebrokers.com/Universal/servlet/AccountAccess.AuthenticateSSO?action=ACCT_MGMT_MAIN&loginType=1&clt=0
Chat
http://chatsrv1.interactivebrokers.com/fchat/chat/flashchat.php
Elite Traders might be a good user forum https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=elite%20traders&oq=elite%20traders&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.3711j0j8
Multicharts .NET version (algo, options support limited)
https://www.multicharts.com/net/purchase/ Support is excellent. I thought this was hands down best charting platform found as of 4-5-2017 Sierra Charts is better according to write-up by friend of JC who said “when a symbol does not have enough history on the chart, the script gives an ‘ugly’ error message and doesn’t calculate anything” and said he experienced this in Multi-Charts. I think he was using the EL version though as he also complained of speed issues in general, and both complaints about multi-charts (bar history and speed), were general comments about other platforms as well. Since speed and other issues are greatly affected by the programming language, I suspect that Multicharts .NET version which compiles strategy rules using C#, would handle this just fine. I plan to test as of 9-7-2017
Tradestation (platform and broker)
www.tradestation.com
Sierracharts may do intrabar execution more seamlessly and have better rates, but TS may be easier to test on. Really a toss up.
SC does not have radar screen which may not be needed.
Quantshare
options support clearly stated on page
support
full platform with rule based builder, free trial, might be web based
https://www.quantshare.com/how-423-how-to-run-a-screen-or-a-watchlist-from-a-script
Could provide some chat functionality, does have strategy building; Lifetime pricing looks reasonable https://www.quantshare.com/index.php?option=quantshare&%3badd=; never responded in forum.