Best Trading Journals

Whether you’re trading stocks, options, futures, forex, or cryptocurrencies, keeping a trade journal can help you identify strengths, weaknesses, and trends in your strategy. Trading journals are an essential tool for traders looking to track, analyze, and improve their performance.

In this article, I’ll review some of the best trading journals, comparing their key features and pricing to help you find the one that best suits your trading needs.

Summary of the Best Trading Journals

Financial Tech Wiz’s Free Trading Journal Template: Free Excel & Google Sheets template with automatic charting.

Tradervue: Popular for its extensive analytics and community trade-sharing.

Tradersync: Known for its simulator feature and custom tagging system.

StonkJournal: Free, donation-supported platform with solid analytics.

TradeZella: A robust journal with trade replay and custom templates.

Tradesviz: Offers AI-powered analytics and options flow analysis.

TradeZella’s Excel/Google Sheet Template: Basic Excel/Google Sheets journal with no visuals.

Top Trading Journals Reviewed

Financial Tech Wiz’s Free Trading Journal Template

If you’re looking for the best free trading journal template for Excel or Google Sheets, this one by Financial Tech Wiz is definitely it. Here is why it is the best free option:

• Automatically chart your performance against the S&P 500
• Detailed strategy metrics
• Highly customizable if you want to modify the formulas
• Free support by emailing [email protected]

Tradervue

Tradervue is a highly regarded trading journal and analytics platform trusted by traders worldwide. It supports a variety of markets, including stocks, futures, and forex. Key features include:

• Import trades from over 100 brokers and platforms
• Auto-generated price charts around entry and exit points
• Detailed performance analytics
• Tagging and filtering tools
• Trade-sharing within a community for feedback

Pricing:

• Basic (Free): Up to 30 trade imports per month
• Silver ($29/month): Unlimited trade imports and advanced reporting
• Gold ($49/month): Includes all Silver features, plus exit analysis, commission support, and risk tracking

Tradersync

TraderSync offers comprehensive journaling and analytics with features designed to help traders refine their performance. It includes:

• Automated trade importing from over 100 brokers
• Performance reports and risk analysis
• Custom tagging for detailed performance insights
• A simulator feature to practice strategies

Pricing:

• Pro: $29.95 per month (50% off annually)
• Premium: $49.95 per month (50% off annually)
• Elite: $79.95 per month (50% off annually)

StonkJournal

StonkJournal is a cost-effective trading journal that is entirely free to use. Despite being free, it offers useful features for tracking trades and generating insights:

• Covers stocks, options, futures, cryptocurrencies, and forex
• Streamlined trade entry process with chart visualizations
• Customizable settings and detailed reports
• Provides actionable statistics on trading habits

Pricing:

• Completely Free: Operates on a donation-supported model

TradeZella

TradeZella helps traders analyze their performance with detailed insights across various asset classes. Some standout features include:

• Unlimited trade imports
• Advanced analytics and trade replay
• Custom templates for note-taking
• Detailed reporting capabilities

Pricing:

• Basic: $24/month (billed annually) or $29/month (billed monthly)
• Premium: $33/month (billed annually) or $49/month (billed monthly)

Tradesviz

TradesViz is an all-in-one platform offering a range of analytics, including AI-powered insights and options flow analysis. It supports stocks, options, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies. Key features include:

• Automated trade importing from over 100 brokers
• Performance and risk analysis tools
• AI-powered Q&A analytics system
• Advanced backtesting and trading simulators

Pricing:

• Basic (Free): Up to 3,000 trade imports per month
• Pro: $19.99/month or $14.99/month (billed annually)
• Platinum: $29.99/month or $22.49/month (billed annually)

TradeZella’s Excel/Google Sheet Template

For traders looking for a DIY approach, TradeZella offers an Excel or Google Sheet template for journaling trades. This template allows you to customize your journal to meet your needs while still providing basic analytics and reporting. While not as feature-rich as software-based platforms, it’s a good starting point for those on a budget.

Visit TradeZells’s Free Trading Journal Sheets Template

Benefits of Using Trading Journal Software

Using trading journal software can provide traders with several key advantages:

• Automated Tracking: Avoid manual entry mistakes with automated trade imports.
• Detailed Analytics: Advanced reporting helps you see your trading patterns and areas for improvement.
• Community Feedback: Many platforms offer trade-sharing features that allow you to receive feedback from other traders.
• Risk Management: Tracking your risk and performance across different strategies is easier with built-in risk analysis tools.

Trading Journal Software vs. Creating Your Own Template

While many traders opt for professional trading journal software, some prefer creating their own templates using Excel or Google Sheets. Here’s how they compare:

• Software: Offers automated importing, detailed reporting, and advanced analytics. Ideal for traders looking for comprehensive tracking and performance improvement.
• Custom Templates: Allow for full customization and flexibility. Best suited for traders who want a simple, low-cost solution without advanced features.

What is the Best Trading Journal For You?

Choosing the best trading journal depends on your specific needs as a trader. If you value community feedback and comprehensive reporting, platforms like Tradervue and TraderSync are excellent options. For traders on a budget, StonkJournal offers solid features completely free of charge. If you want advanced tools like AI-powered analytics, TradesViz may be the best choice. And for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, Financial Tech Wiz’s Free Trading Journal Template is a good DIY option.

Whatever your trading style, using a journal is essential for improving performance, managing risk, and refining your strategy.