VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ A CURATED DIRECTORY OF FINANCIAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES ★

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Friday, December 26, 2025

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Tool Comparison

MesoSim vs USAspending comparison

Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.

Quick takeaways

MesoSim adds Backtesting, Options & Derivatives, Paper Trading, AI, and AI Chat coverage that USAspending skips.

USAspending includes Data APIs, Videos, and Other categories that MesoSim omits.

In depth comparison

MesoSim logo

MesoSim

mesosim.io

Options strategy backtesting SaaS with low-code strategy definitions, observability (events log), risk graphs/Greeks, margin reporting, an options valuation model/solver, and an implied-volatility surface viewer. Plan gating: Free includes 25 runs; Standard ($1000/yr) unlocks unlimited SPX + BTCUSD/ETHUSD options backtests plus sharing/exports and 1 MesoLive paper-trading account; Advanced ($1250/yr) adds RUT/VIX/GLD, margin models, vol surface/HD risk graphs, and hourly risk traces (plus up to 2 paper accounts). Live trade execution is a paid MesoLive add-on; API access is FundPro-only.

Platforms

WebAPI

Pricing

FreeSubscription

Quick highlights

  • Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow.
  • Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring).
  • TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes.
  • Published data availability + vendors and resolution (5-minute): SPX/RUT/VIX/GLD sourced from Cboe Global Markets; BTCUSD/ETHUSD (and historical SOLUSD) sourced from Deribit.
  • Position Monitor provides 2D/3D risk graphs, PnL, and Greeks, with trace collection intervals (Off/Daily/Hourly).

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USAspending logo

USAspending

usaspending.gov

Official U.S. federal spending open‑data portal mandated by the DATA Act and operated by Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The public REST API powers the site (GET/POST endpoints, JSON responses). Data refreshes daily after a nightly pipeline; underlying source systems update on different cadences (e.g., monthly for Files A/B/C via the DATA Act Broker; next‑day for FPDS contracts; FABS within 2 weeks; FSRS subawards by month‑end; GTAS monthly). Bulk downloads and archives are available for awards back to FY2008.

Platforms

WebAPI

Pricing

Free

Quick highlights

  • Advanced Search & profiles across awards, recipients, agencies, federal accounts; filters include date, place of performance, NAICS/PSC, Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA), DEFC for COVID/infrastructure.
  • Spending Explorer and Agency/Federal Account profiles for top‑down views of obligations/outlays and drill‑downs by budget hierarchy.
  • Public REST API that powers the website (GET & POST endpoints; JSON responses); tutorial and contracts for commonly used endpoints.
  • Bulk data: Award Data Archive (pre‑generated, by agency/fiscal year), Custom Award Data, Custom Account Data, and full Database Download.
  • Award coverage: contracts, contract IDVs, grants, direct payments, loans, insurance, other financial assistance; prime awards and subawards (FSRS).

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Where they differ

MesoSim

Distinct strengths include:

BacktestingOptions & DerivativesPaper TradingAIAI Chat
  • Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow.
  • Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring).
  • TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes.
  • Published data availability + vendors and resolution (5-minute): SPX/RUT/VIX/GLD sourced from Cboe Global Markets; BTCUSD/ETHUSD (and historical SOLUSD) sourced from Deribit.

USAspending

Distinct strengths include:

Data APIsVideosOther
  • Advanced Search & profiles across awards, recipients, agencies, federal accounts; filters include date, place of performance, NAICS/PSC, Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA), DEFC for COVID/infrastructure.
  • Spending Explorer and Agency/Federal Account profiles for top‑down views of obligations/outlays and drill‑downs by budget hierarchy.
  • Public REST API that powers the website (GET & POST endpoints; JSON responses); tutorial and contracts for commonly used endpoints.
  • Bulk data: Award Data Archive (pre‑generated, by agency/fiscal year), Custom Award Data, Custom Account Data, and full Database Download.

Feature-by-feature breakdown

AttributeMesoSimUSAspending
Categories

Which research workflows each platform targets

Shared: Data Visualizations, APIs & SDKs

Unique: Backtesting, Options & Derivatives, Paper Trading, AI, AI Chat

Shared: Data Visualizations, APIs & SDKs

Unique: Data APIs, Videos, Other

Asset types

Supported asset classes and universes

Options, Cryptos

Other

Experience levels

Who each product is built for

Intermediate, Advanced

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Platforms

Where you can access the product

Web, API

Web, API

Pricing

High-level pricing models

Free, Subscription

Free

Key features

Core capabilities called out by each vendor

Unique

  • Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow.
  • Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring).
  • TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes.
  • Published data availability + vendors and resolution (5-minute): SPX/RUT/VIX/GLD sourced from Cboe Global Markets; BTCUSD/ETHUSD (and historical SOLUSD) sourced from Deribit.
  • Position Monitor provides 2D/3D risk graphs, PnL, and Greeks, with trace collection intervals (Off/Daily/Hourly).
  • Volatility Surface viewer to explore implied-vol surfaces with overlays (e.g., open interest, volume, bid-ask spread, Greeks) and playback at 5-minute resolution (non-crypto in current version).

Unique

  • Advanced Search & profiles across awards, recipients, agencies, federal accounts; filters include date, place of performance, NAICS/PSC, Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA), DEFC for COVID/infrastructure.
  • Spending Explorer and Agency/Federal Account profiles for top‑down views of obligations/outlays and drill‑downs by budget hierarchy.
  • Public REST API that powers the website (GET & POST endpoints; JSON responses); tutorial and contracts for commonly used endpoints.
  • Bulk data: Award Data Archive (pre‑generated, by agency/fiscal year), Custom Award Data, Custom Account Data, and full Database Download.
  • Award coverage: contracts, contract IDVs, grants, direct payments, loans, insurance, other financial assistance; prime awards and subawards (FSRS).
  • Entity identifiers: UEI (replaced DUNS on Apr 4, 2022) used for recipients as the governmentwide identifier (via SAM.gov).
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which workflows do MesoSim and USAspending both support?

Both platforms cover Data Visualizations, and APIs & SDKs workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.

Do MesoSim and USAspending require subscriptions?

Both MesoSim and USAspending keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.

How can you access MesoSim and USAspending?

Both MesoSim and USAspending prioritize web or desktop access. Investors wanting a mobile-first workflow may need to rely on responsive web views.

What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?

MesoSim differentiates itself with Advanced options strategy backtesting service built around a low-code workflow., Strategy Definition schema supports multi-leg structures plus entry/exit/adjustments and simulator controls (fill model, commissions/slippage, margin, position monitoring)., and TradFi instruments documented for simulation: SPX (data from 2010), RUT/VIX (data from 2012), and GLD (data from 2012), with index vs equity option modeling notes., whereas USAspending stands out for Advanced Search & profiles across awards, recipients, agencies, federal accounts; filters include date, place of performance, NAICS/PSC, Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA), DEFC for COVID/infrastructure., Spending Explorer and Agency/Federal Account profiles for top‑down views of obligations/outlays and drill‑downs by budget hierarchy., and Public REST API that powers the website (GET & POST endpoints; JSON responses); tutorial and contracts for commonly used endpoints..

Keep exploring

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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.