Most traders know they should be tracking their trades. Few do it consistently, and fewer still use the data to change anything. The right trading journal fixes that. It turns raw trade history into patterns: what setups are working, what time of day is killing the P&L, where emotions are overriding the plan. The ten journals below are the best options available in 2026, evaluated on analytics depth, import flexibility, pricing, and asset class coverage.
Transparency: We may get compensated when you click on links in this article.
Best Trading Journals
1. EdgeWonk
EdgeWonk is the best-value trading journal on this list. At $197 per year, it undercuts every subscription competitor by a significant margin and does not sacrifice analytical depth to get there. The psychological classifiers are the standout feature: traders can tag mood, emotional state, and decision rationale per trade, then identify patterns in how psychology correlates with outcomes. Most journals ignore this dimension entirely.
Version 3.0 works on any device. Auto-sync covers MT4 and MT5. Traders on other platforms import via CSV from brokers including Fidelity, Interactive Brokers, Saxobank, and IG, and platforms including DAS Trader, NinjaTrader, Optimus Flow, and Quantower.
The analytical toolkit includes entry and exit optimization, a trade simulator, advanced trade classifiers, trade management evaluation, and holding time analysis. Backtesting and a future simulator with growth scenarios are also included. The company is headquartered in Germany, which means EU data protection standards apply.
Price: $197/year or $297 every 24 months. Use coupon code DT10 for $10 off.
Asset classes: Forex, stocks, futures, crypto, CFDs, commodities, indices, options
Pros:
- Lowest annual cost of any full-featured journal on this list
- Psychological classifiers let traders tag mood and emotional state per trade. This is a feature most competitors skip entirely
- Strong data protection standards due to German/EU headquarters and GDPR compliance
- Entry/exit optimization and future simulator go beyond basic journaling
- No bloat: the platform is focused on journaling and behavioral analytics, not upselling features most traders will never use
Cons:
- No monthly subscription option. The commitment is annual or biennial, paid upfront
- Auto-sync limited to MT4/MT5. Every other platform requires CSV import
- No dedicated mobile app
See Also: Edgewonk Review
2. TradeZella
TradeZella is the best option for active day traders who want the deepest execution review tools available. The trade replay feature runs Level 2 and time and sales data tick by tick, with trade entries and exits visualized on the chart. For reviewing scalp trades or intraday setups, that level of granularity is genuinely useful and not matched at this price point elsewhere.
Auto-sync coverage is the broadest on this list: MetaTrader 4 and 5, Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab, cTrader, DXtrade, NinjaTrader, Robinhood, ThinkOrSwim, TradeStation, TradeLocker, and Tradovate. A further 25 brokers are supported via file upload.
The backtesting feature allows strategy simulation against historical data with journal-linked reporting. The integrated notebook keeps notes, rules, and observations in one place. The calendar view shows daily P&L at a glance.
Price: Basic plan $29/month or $288/year (1 account, no trade replay). Premium plan $49/month or $399/year (up to 20 accounts, full feature access).
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto
Pros:
- Broadest auto-sync broker coverage on this list
- Tick-by-tick trade replay with Level 2 data is the best execution review tool in the category for day traders
- Backtesting integrated directly into the journal, with separate reporting
- Integrated notebook eliminates the need to maintain notes outside the platform
Cons:
- Most expensive option on this list. The Premium plan runs $399/year, roughly double EdgeWonk’s annual cost
- Basic plan limits users to a single connected account, which is immediately restrictive for anyone running multiple strategies or accounts
- No futures-specific analytics (contract-level detail, session breakdown by instrument)
3. TraderSync
TraderSync is used by over 100,000 traders and covers more brokers for auto-sync than any other journal on this list, over 700. That number matters practically: the more common your broker, the less friction in getting started. The platform supports stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto, and CFDs.
The AI coaching assistant (Cypher) is available on paid plans and analyzes trade patterns to flag behavioral issues. Market replay runs at up to 250ms precision on the Elite plan, which is useful for scalpers reviewing fast entries. TradingView chart integration allows trade review directly on the charts where the decisions were made.
Over 100 performance statistics are available. The mobile apps for iOS and Android are among the best in the category.
Price: Pro $29.95/month ($312.60/year, 1 account). Premium $49.95/month ($521.40/year, unlimited accounts, 1-second replay). Elite $79.95/month ($834.60/year, 250ms replay, options backtesting, 60 AI messages/day).
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto, CFDs
Pros:
- 700+ broker integrations for auto-sync, the broadest coverage on this list by a large margin
- AI coaching assistant (Cypher) identifies behavioral patterns across trade history
- Best mobile apps in the category for iOS and Android
- TradingView chart integration on all paid plans
Cons:
- Elite plan required for serious replay precision (250ms) and meaningful AI usage that is $79.95/month or $834.60/year, significantly more expensive than every other option on this list
- Three-tier pricing with a wide cost spread creates confusion about which plan is actually sufficient for active traders
- AI message limits per day (5 on Pro, 15 on Premium, 60 on Elite) feel artificial and punishing on lower tiers
4. Trademetria
Trademetria is the multi-account option. The Pro plan supports up to 50 trading accounts with unlimited order imports and more account capacity than any other journal on this list. Over 100 brokers are supported for import. An auto-sync API pulls trading data from supported brokers directly.
The platform covers the core analytics: key metrics, a trade history calendar, buys and sells visualized on a chart, and a PnL simulator. The design is clean and functional without being feature-heavy. Users who sign up for a free trial first receive a 25% discount offer on paid plans.
Price: Basic plan $29.95/month or $215/year. Pro plan $39.95/month or $279/year.
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto, CFDs
Pros:
- Supports up to 50 trading accounts on the Pro plan
- 100+ supported brokers for import
- PnL simulator and chart-based trade visualization at both plan tiers
- Pro plan is competitively priced relative to feature set
Cons:
- Analytics depth does not match TradesViz, TradeZella, or TraderSync at comparable price points
- Auto-sync API coverage is narrower than TradeZella or TraderSync. Many traders will be limited to CSV imports
- No trade replay feature at any plan tier
5. Tradervue
Tradervue is one of the longest-running trading journals available, founded in 2011. It supports 82 platforms for import via CSV and offers a free tier with basic journaling. The Silver and Gold plans unlock advanced charting, analytics, and exit performance analysis. The Gold plan’s exit analysis and maximum potential P&L tools are genuinely useful for traders who want to understand where they are leaving money on the table.
One problem worth naming: the website references an auto-import feature with a link that has no target page. That is either a feature in development or quietly abandoned. Either way, the lack of clarity on a stated feature is not a good sign. Every import currently requires a manual CSV upload.
Price: Free plan (30 trade imports/month, limited analytics). Silver plan $29.95/month. Gold plan $49.95/month. No annual plans available.
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex
Pros:
- Free plan available with no expiration, suitable for building the journaling habit before committing to a subscription
- One of the most established journals in the market with a 14-year track record
- 82 platforms supported for CSV import
- Gold plan exit analysis is a genuine differentiator for traders focused on profit-taking discipline
Cons:
- The free plan’s 30-trade monthly import cap is restrictive for active traders
- No auto-sync. Every import is a manual CSV upload, which adds daily friction
- No annual plan. Monthly billing only, which makes it more expensive than EdgeWonk over 12 months
- No crypto support at any plan tier.
6. TradesViz
TradesViz is the data-maximalist option on this list. Over 600 charts and statistics, AI-powered natural language Q&A, a trading simulator across 15,000+ tickers, options flow analysis, and a built-in real-time stock screener.
The platform has processed over 50 million trades for more than 100,000 active users and was a Benzinga FinTech Awards finalist in both the Best Data Analysis Tool and Best Portfolio Tracker categories.
The free tier is the most generous in the category: 3,000 trade executions per month at no cost. That covers the volume of most retail traders without requiring a paid plan. The Pro plan adds stop-loss tracking, commission integration, and spread detection. The Platinum plan adds TradingView chart integration and up to 20 connected accounts.
The honest caveat: TradesViz is not for everyone. The interface is consistently described across independent reviews as functional but dated and non-intuitive. The volume of features can overwhelm rather than guide. Traders who want structured, guided improvement rather than raw data access will likely get more out of TradeZella or EdgeWonk. TradesViz rewards traders who know what they are looking for.
Price: Free (3,000 executions/month, stocks only). Pro $19.99/month or $179.88/year (10 accounts, all assets, stop-loss tracking). Platinum $29.99/month or $268.88/year (20 accounts, TradingView integration).
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto
Pros:
- Most feature-rich free tier in the category with 3,000 monthly executions, 600+ statistics, AI Q&A at no cost
- 200+ broker integrations for import, 40+ auto-sync
- Trading simulator supports historical replay across all asset classes
- Built-in stock screener integrated directly with the journal
- Benzinga FinTech Awards recognition is independent third-party validation
Cons:
- UI is dated and non-intuitive relative to TradeZella and TraderSync. The learning curve is real
- No dedicated mobile app. Mobile access is a progressive web app via browser
- Feature volume can produce paralysis rather than insight for traders who do not already know which metrics to prioritize
- Platinum plan required for TradingView chart integration, pushing the annual cost to $268.88/year
7. Chartlog
Chartlog’s differentiating feature is strategy tagging with per-strategy performance tracking. Trades are tagged by setup type. Breakout, mean reversion, momentum, or custom tags, and the platform tracks win rate, profit factor, and risk-adjusted returns separately for each strategy. That distinction matters. Most journals show aggregate performance.
Chartlog shows which of the strategies is actually working and which one is draining the account despite a decent-looking win rate.
The Pro tier adds custom report building: traders can construct reports answering specific questions like which setup performs best in the first hour of market open, without needing to export to Excel. Founded 2019 by Igor Milivojevic, headquartered in the United States.
The weaknesses are real. The interface is described by multiple independent reviewers as functional but generic. Report generation is slower than TradeZella or TraderSync, but only a few seconds of lag that is noticeable. And at the Standard and Pro tiers, the annual cost is not particularly competitive against platforms offering broader feature sets.
Price: Lite $14.99/month ($161.88/year). Standard $29.99/month ($305.88/year, strategy features and additional reports). Pro $39.99/month ($383.88/year, custom reports).
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto
Pros:
- Per-strategy performance tracking is the best implementation of this feature on the list. Traders running multiple setups get a clear view of which ones are actually profitable
- Custom report builder on Pro tier answers specific analytical questions without requiring spreadsheet exports
- Supports all major asset classes across all plan tiers
Cons:
- Interface is functional but generic compared to TradeZella and TraderSync
- Report generation is slower than competitors
- Standard and Pro tier pricing is not competitive relative to the feature set (TradesViz offers more analytical depth at lower annual cost)
- No trade replay feature at any tier
8. Stonk Journal
Stonk Journal is completely free. No subscription, no ads, no upsells. The platform runs entirely on user donations. For traders who want to start the journaling habit before committing to a paid tool, it is the cleanest entry point available.
The feature set is basic but not trivial. Stonk Journal includes win rate, profit factor, average winner and loser, hold time analysis, a PnL calendar, confidence meter per trade, screenshot attachment, trade tags, and multi-account support. The interface is clean. Setup takes around 15 seconds. Trades can be kept private or shared optionally.
The hard limit is manual entry only, one trade at a time. There is no CSV import and no broker auto-sync. For a trader making 5 to 10 trades per week, this is manageable. For active day traders logging 20 or more trades per session, the daily entry friction will kill the habit faster than any lack of features.
Price: Free (donation-supported).
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto
Pros:
- Completely free with no hidden limitations, no 30-trade caps, no trial expiration
- No email verification required, the platform allows anonymous use
- Clean interface with real analytics, not just a trade log
- Multi-account support at no cost
Cons:
- Manual entry only, one trade at a time. No CSV import, no broker sync
- Analytics are basic compared to every paid option on this list. No trade replay, no strategy tagging, no psychological classifiers, no AI
- Donation-supported model raises questions about long-term platform stability and development pace
- Not a realistic option for active day traders due to entry volume
9. RizeTrade
RizeTrade is the psychology-first option on this list. The core differentiator is quantified discipline: the platform tracks emotion tags per trade (FOMO, revenge trading, overtrading, early exit, hesitation), rule adherence per strategy, and then calculates exactly how much P&L was lost when rules were broken versus when they were followed. That last metric is what separates RizeTrade from EdgeWonk’s psychological classifiers. EdgeWonk tags emotions and surfaces patterns. RizeTrade puts a dollar figure on undisciplined behavior.
Strategy playbooks allow traders to define their rules upfront and track adherence over time. Win rate with rules versus win rate without rules is tracked separately. For traders who already know their strategy has an edge but struggle with execution consistency, a common problem, particularly on funded accounts, that comparison is actionable in a way that generic analytics are not.
Broker imports include ThinkorSwim, Webull, Interactive Brokers, TradeStation, Tradovate, and E*Trade. Voice notes are available on the Pro plan for traders who want to record post-trade thoughts without typing.
A note on coverage: RizeTrade is a newer platform with less independent third-party verification than the more established names on this list. Pricing and features should be confirmed directly on the RizeTrade website before subscribing.
Price: Free (1 account, 1 CSV import, 50MB storage). Essential $19/month billed annually ($228/year, unlimited imports, 3 strategies, advanced analytics, trade replay). Pro $33/month billed annually ($396/year, unlimited accounts and strategies, voice notes, priority support).
Asset classes: Stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto
Pros:
- Quantifies the P&L cost of rule-breaking. It is the clearest implementation of discipline tracking available on this list
- Strategy playbooks with adherence stats show win rate with rules versus without rules, not just aggregate performance
- Voice notes on Pro plan reduce post-trade friction for traders who think faster than they type
- Essential plan at $228/year is competitively priced for the feature set
Cons:
- Newer platform with less independent review coverage than established competitors
- Free tier is highly restrictive: 1 CSV import and 50MB storage is not enough for meaningful use
- Broker import list is shorter than TraderSync or TradeZella. Traders on less common platforms may face CSV-only workflows
- No mobile app
10. Excel & Google Sheets
Before committing to any paid subscription, many traders start here. A well-built spreadsheet covers the essentials: trade log, running P&L, win rate, average winner and loser, and basic setup tracking. The advantages are real. Full control over structure, no monthly cost, no learning curve beyond what the trader already knows, and data that lives locally or in a personal Google account.
The limitations become obvious quickly for active traders. Manual data entry compounds daily. Formula errors corrupt months of analysis. Charts require ongoing maintenance. Broker CSV exports need cleaning and formatting before they can be used. None of these are dealbreakers for a swing trader making 10 to 15 trades per month. For a day trader making 30 or more trades per week, the time cost outweighs any subscription savings.
Several well-regarded free templates are worth using as a starting point. The Kinfo website publishes a detailed Excel template with dynamic dashboard functionality. TradesViz publishes a Google Sheets template. A search for “trading journal Excel template” or “trading journal Google Sheets template” returns dozens of options across Reddit’s r/Daytrading and r/StockMarket communities, many of which are well-maintained and free.
Best use case: Traders who are new to journaling and want to build the habit before paying for software, traders who make fewer than 15 trades per month, or traders with very specific tracking needs that off-the-shelf software cannot accommodate.
When to upgrade: When manual entry is taking more than 15 minutes per session, when formula errors have corrupted data, or when the analysis needed goes beyond what a spreadsheet can realistically produce.
Bottom Line
EdgeWonk is the pick. At $197/year, it undercuts every subscription-based competitor on this list by a significant margin and does not sacrifice analytical depth to get there. The psychological classifiers alone are worth the price for traders who want to understand the behavioral patterns behind their results, not just the numbers. The one real limitation is auto-sync: it covers MT4/MT5 only. Traders on other platforms will be doing CSV imports.
TradeZella is the runner-up for active day traders. The tick-by-tick trade replay with Level 2 data is the best execution review tool in the category, and broker auto-sync coverage is the broadest on this list. The cost is real. $399/year for the Premium plan, but so is the functionality.
TradesViz is the pick for data-oriented traders who want maximum analytical depth and are willing to climb a learning curve to get it. The free tier alone outperforms most paid competitors on raw feature count.
For traders not ready to pay anything, Stonk Journal is the cleanest free entry point. The analytics are basic and manual entry is the only option, but neither of those is a problem for someone still building the daily habit.
Trading Journal Comparisons
Monthly and Annual Costs
Edgewonk is the clear winner in the annual costs comparison. With the promo code DT10, you can reduce the costs further from $197 to $187. Edgewonk works for forex, futures, stocks, CFDs and even crypto & options.
| Trading Journal | Monthly | Annual | Coupon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edgewonk | – | $197.00 🥇 | DT10 ($10 off) |
| TradeZella | $29.00 – $49.00 | $288.00 – $399.00 | DAYTRADING (20% off) |
| TraderSync | $29.95 – $79.95 | $312.60 – $834.60 | 7-day free trial |
| Trademetria | $29.95 – $39.95 | $215.00 – $279.00 | Free trial + 25% off |
| Tradervue | $29.95 – $49.95 | – | Free plan available |
| TradesViz | $19.99 – $29.99 | $179.88 – $268.88 | Free tier available |
| Chartlog | $14.99 – $39.99 | $161.88 – $383.88 | – |
| Stonk Journal | Free | Free | – |
| RizeTrade | $19.00 – $33.00 (annual billing) | $228.00 – $396.00 | Free tier available |
| Excel / Google Sheets | Free | Free | – |
Founding Date & Headquarters
| Trading Journal | Founded | HQ |
|---|---|---|
| EdgeWonk | 2014, Moritz Czubatinski | Germany |
| TradeZella | 2021, Umar Ashraf | USA |
| TraderSync | 2014, David Olivares | Canada |
| Trademetria | 2016, Thiago Ghilardi | USA |
| Tradervue | 2011, Greg Reinacker | USA |
| TradesViz | 2020 | USA |
| Chartlog | 2019, Igor Milivojevic | USA |
| Stonk Journal | – | – |
| RizeTrade | – | – |
Feature Comparison
← Scroll to see all columns →
| Journal | Auto-sync | Trade replay | AI features | Mobile app | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EdgeWonk | MT4/MT5 only | No | No | No | No14-day trial |
| TradeZella | Yes10+ brokers | Yestick-by-tick | No | No | No |
| TraderSync | Yes700+ brokers | Yes250ms on Elite | YesCypher AI | iOS + Android | No7-day trial |
| Trademetria | Pro only | No | Basic | No | No |
| Tradervue | NoCSV only | No | No | No | Yes30 trades/mo |
| TradesViz | Yes40+ brokers | Yes | YesAI Q&A | PWA only | Yes3,000 exec/mo |
| Chartlog | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Stonk Journal | Nomanual only | No | No | No | Yesunlimited |
| RizeTrade | Yes6 brokers | YesEssential+ | No | No | Yes1 CSV import |
| Excel / Sheets | No | No | No | Sheets only | Yes |
FAQs
Which trading journal is best for futures traders?
EdgeWonk and TraderSync are the strongest options for futures traders. EdgeWonk supports futures across all plan tiers and includes entry and exit optimization tools useful for evaluating contract timing. TraderSync supports futures and includes TradingView chart integration for visual trade review, with AI coaching available on paid plans. TradeZella also supports futures and adds tick-by-tick trade replay, which is valuable for reviewing fast-moving instruments like ES or NQ.
Does EdgeWonk support Interactive Brokers auto-sync?
No. EdgeWonk auto-sync is limited to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Interactive Brokers traders on EdgeWonk export a CSV from IBKR and import manually. TradeZella, TraderSync, and TradesViz all support Interactive Brokers auto-sync directly.
Is there a free trading journal worth using?
Two options are worth considering. TradesViz offers the most generous free tier: 3,000 trade executions per month, 600+ statistics, and AI Q&A at no cost. Stocks-only on the free plan. Stonk Journal is the simpler option. It’s completely free, no import limits, but manual entry only with no broker sync. For active traders, TradesViz’s free plan is the better functional option. For traders just starting out, either works.
Which trading journal has the best mobile app?
TraderSync. Dedicated native apps for iOS and Android with full access to the core journaling and analytics features. Most other journals on this list are web-based. TradeZella and TradesViz work in mobile browsers but without native app functionality.
Which trading journal is best for prop firm traders?
TraderSync and TradeZella are the most commonly cited options among funded traders. Both track the key metrics that matter during evaluations: consistency, drawdown proximity, and daily P&L. TradeZella’s trade replay is particularly useful for reviewing rule violations during a funded phase. RizeTrade’s rule adherence tracking is also worth considering, the ability to see exactly when trading rules were broken and what it cost makes it useful for evaluating funded account behavior.
What is the cheapest trading journal with full features?
EdgeWonk at $197/year ($16.42/month equivalent) is the clear answer. Use code DT10 for $10 off. TradesViz Pro at $179.88/year ($14.99/month equivalent) is technically lower in annual cost, but the free tier limitation (stocks only) means most multi-asset traders need the paid plan. EdgeWonk covers more asset classes at the base price.
How to start a trading journal?
The most important decision is picking a format and sticking with it. Every journal on this list offers a free trial or free tier, start there rather than committing to an annual plan before knowing whether the interface fits the workflow. The minimum viable journal entry for each trade: instrument, entry price, exit price, setup type, and one sentence on why the trade was taken. Add emotional state and post-trade notes once the habit is established. Consistency matters more than completeness.
Do professional traders use trading journals?
Consistently profitable traders almost universally track their trades in detail. The specific tool varies. Some use proprietary systems, others use platforms like Tradervue or TraderSync, but the habit of systematic performance review is close to universal among traders who treat this as a business rather than speculation.