AmiBroker adds Backtesting, Monte Carlo, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Correlation, APIs & SDKs, and Auto-Trading & Bots coverage that ORTEX skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Head-to-head
AmiBroker vs ORTEX comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
ORTEX includes Short Interest, Insider Data, Index Rebalancing, Money Flow, Options & Derivatives, Options, Analyst Recommendations, Analyst Price Targets, News, Calendar, Data APIs, US Government Trades, and Blogs categories that AmiBroker omits.
AmiBroker highlights: Portfolio‑level backtesting with dynamic position sizing and bar‑by‑bar ranking/PositionScore., Walk‑forward testing integrated with optimization; in/out‑of‑sample stats., and Monte Carlo simulation (custom metrics can drive optimization/WF objective)..
ORTEX is known for: Short interest and lending analytics including utilization, cost to borrow, shares on loan, and percentage of free float on loan, with intraday and real-time estimates from a large pool of lenders and brokers., Official U.S. exchange-reported short interest (bi-monthly) and European flagged shorts, alongside lending-based estimates., and Options coverage with unusual activity and flow detection; OPRA-sourced data gated by user agreement to OPRA terms..
ORTEX keeps a free entry point that AmiBroker lacks.
ORTEX offers mobile access, which AmiBroker skips.
AmiBroker
amibroker.com
Windows desktop platform for technical/system research with a fast AFL scripting language, portfolio‑level backtester, walk‑forward testing, Monte Carlo, and extensive optimization. Real‑time capability and instrument coverage depend on the data plug‑ins you use (e.g., IQFeed, eSignal, Interactive Brokers, Norgate Data). Auto‑trading to IB is available via the official interface. Licenses are perpetual with 24 months of updates.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Portfolio‑level backtesting with dynamic position sizing and bar‑by‑bar ranking/PositionScore.
- Walk‑forward testing integrated with optimization; in/out‑of‑sample stats.
- Monte Carlo simulation (custom metrics can drive optimization/WF objective).
- Very fast multi‑threaded optimization with 3D optimization surface visualization.
- Exploration/Scanner to build custom screeners and reports via AFL.
Community votes (overall)
ORTEX
public.ortex.com
Analytics platform focused on short interest and securities lending, with additional coverage of options flow, insider trades, analyst views, and index rebalances. Offers a free tier with limited features, plus paid plans (Basic $39/mo, Advanced $129/mo). Options data is sourced from OPRA and requires agreeing to OPRA terms. API access is available with key-based authentication, and an Excel Add-in (beta) supports short interest data.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Short interest and lending analytics including utilization, cost to borrow, shares on loan, and percentage of free float on loan, with intraday and real-time estimates from a large pool of lenders and brokers.
- Official U.S. exchange-reported short interest (bi-monthly) and European flagged shorts, alongside lending-based estimates.
- Options coverage with unusual activity and flow detection; OPRA-sourced data gated by user agreement to OPRA terms.
- Alpha trading signals across themes like Short Squeeze, EPS, RSI, MACD, and Company Events, each with back-tested stats and intraday updates.
- Configurable stock screener including short-interest columns; results can be exported.
Community votes (overall)
Shared focus areas
3 overlapsMutual strengths include Quant, Data Visualizations, and Screeners.
Where they differ
AmiBroker
Distinct strengths include:
- Portfolio‑level backtesting with dynamic position sizing and bar‑by‑bar ranking/PositionScore.
- Walk‑forward testing integrated with optimization; in/out‑of‑sample stats.
- Monte Carlo simulation (custom metrics can drive optimization/WF objective).
- Very fast multi‑threaded optimization with 3D optimization surface visualization.
ORTEX
Distinct strengths include:
- Short interest and lending analytics including utilization, cost to borrow, shares on loan, and percentage of free float on loan, with intraday and real-time estimates from a large pool of lenders and brokers.
- Official U.S. exchange-reported short interest (bi-monthly) and European flagged shorts, alongside lending-based estimates.
- Options coverage with unusual activity and flow detection; OPRA-sourced data gated by user agreement to OPRA terms.
- Alpha trading signals across themes like Short Squeeze, EPS, RSI, MACD, and Company Events, each with back-tested stats and intraday updates.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
Attribute | AmiBroker | ORTEX |
---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Quant, Data Visualizations, Screeners Unique: Backtesting, Monte Carlo, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Correlation, APIs & SDKs, Auto-Trading & Bots | Shared: Quant, Data Visualizations, Screeners Unique: Short Interest, Insider Data, Index Rebalancing, Money Flow, Options & Derivatives, Options, Analyst Recommendations, Analyst Price Targets, News, Calendar, Data APIs, US Government Trades, Blogs |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Futures, Currencies | Stocks, ETFs, Options |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Desktop | Web, Mobile, API |
Pricing High-level pricing models | One-time | Free, Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Yes |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do AmiBroker and ORTEX both support?
Both platforms cover Quant, Data Visualizations, and Screeners workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Which tool offers a free plan?
ORTEX offers a free entry point, while AmiBroker requires a paid subscription. Review the pricing table to see how the paid tiers compare.
Which tool has mobile access?
ORTEX ships a dedicated mobile experience, while AmiBroker focuses on web or desktop access.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
AmiBroker differentiates itself with Portfolio‑level backtesting with dynamic position sizing and bar‑by‑bar ranking/PositionScore., Walk‑forward testing integrated with optimization; in/out‑of‑sample stats., and Monte Carlo simulation (custom metrics can drive optimization/WF objective)., whereas ORTEX stands out for Short interest and lending analytics including utilization, cost to borrow, shares on loan, and percentage of free float on loan, with intraday and real-time estimates from a large pool of lenders and brokers., Official U.S. exchange-reported short interest (bi-monthly) and European flagged shorts, alongside lending-based estimates., and Options coverage with unusual activity and flow detection; OPRA-sourced data gated by user agreement to OPRA terms..
Keep exploring
Stay on top of related tools
Browse the categories and profiles that overlap most with this comparison to round out your shortlist.
Related categories
Follow the same themes these tools compete in.
Recommended tools
These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.
- TrendlyneHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Analyst Price Targets, and Analyst Recommendations.
ScreenersAnalyst Price TargetsAnalyst Recommendations - YChartsHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Data Visualizations, and Correlation.
ScreenersData VisualizationsCorrelation - Stocknear
Overlap: Screeners, Options & Derivatives, and Data Visualizations.
ScreenersOptions & DerivativesData Visualizations - Financial Modeling Prep (FMP)Editor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Data APIs, Insider Data, and Analyst Price Targets.
Data APIsInsider DataAnalyst Price Targets - FINVIZEditor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Data Visualizations, and Backtesting.
ScreenersData VisualizationsBacktesting - Portfolio123Editor's pickHands-on review
Overlap: Screeners, Quant, and Backtesting.
ScreenersQuantBacktesting
Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.