Getting Started
Your powerful, customizable trading experience starts here
Trading platforms can have steep learning curves. That’s not a problem for you. Your curiosity and our educational resources can help make it a walk in the park.
Step 1: Open your account and transfer funds
Start by opening your TradeStation account. The application process is straightforward. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and typically your account is approved within 24 hours. Once your account is approved, you’ll be ready to transfer funds and begin trading.
Now that your account is open, you can securely move your money and start trading.
This short video highlights how easy funding your account is, featuring step-by-step instructions.
You’ll find details based on your account type, preferred funding method, transfer options, and processing.
“Step 2: Pick your trading platform
Choose the platform that suits your style, products you want to trade and accessible via desktop, web, or mobile.
The TradeStation Desktop is our most powerful and customizable platform for trading stocks, options, futures, and ETFs.
OptionStation® Pro – Option trading application in TradeStation Desktop.
Features:
Real-time option chains with probability analysis: Help clients determine an option strike price.
IV%: Option statistic for determining buying/selling strategy.
Put/Call ratios: Option statistic for smarter option trading based on market sentiment.
RadarScreen® – A powerful screener and market monitoring tool designed to enhance traders’ ability to identify, track, analyze and act on real-time market data across multiple instruments.
Advanced charting – 120+ customizable indicators, automated back-testing, and precision technical analysis. Charts are used for decision making, when to get in, out or do nothing on a security you are planning on trading using price data and patterns to make decisions.
Matrix– Real-time market depth, trade activity, lightning-fast one-click execution, and advanced order types.
Automated Alerts – A risk management tool.
Trade Manager – A comprehensive tool within the desktop platform that allows traders to monitor and manage their trading activities in real-time.
Order types – Different order types in trading give you more control over how and when your trades are executed, helping manage risk, lock in profits, and optimize your trading strategy.
Login to our client hub to download TradeStation Desktop.
Web Trading – The TradeStation Web Trading platform gives you advanced trading capabilities with the flexibility of trading from any secure web browser. No download required.
Products – Trade equities, options, and futures on a powerful web-based platform.
Advanced charting – Analyze markets with 120+ customizable indicators, automated back-testing, and advanced charting.
Execution – Gain a real-time market edge with Matrix, featuring live depth, trade activity, and one-click orders.
Login to our client hub to launch TradeStation Web Trading.
FuturesPlus – Refine your strategy with FuturesPlus, the specialized platform for futures options trading. Available on your computer and mobile device.
Options chain – View real-time pricing, volatility metrics, theoretical values, and market depth for intuitive multi-leg strategies.
Strategy creation – Build custom spreads with pre-configured templates for strips, calendars, combos, and more.
Risk analytics – Track position Greeks, probability metrics, and implied volatility to manage trading decisions effectively.
Market depth – View real-time order flow with single-click execution for precise timing on entries and exits.
FuturesPlus Mobile – Stay connected and in control. Navigate to Hamburger Menu > Help > Mobile iOS or Android for a full walkthrough of mobile trading capabilities.
Login to our client hub to launch FuturesPlus or to download FuturesPlus Mobile..
Mobile App – The TradeStation Mobile App lets you stay connected to your strategy with your smartphone. A powerful companion app for natural-born traders.
Products – Trade equities, options, and futures seamlessly—anytime, anywhere.
Advanced charting – Analyze markets with real-time data and advanced charting.
Alerts – Stay ahead with automated alerts on key market moves and earnings.
Execution – Execute trades with split-second precision for optimal performance.
Login to our client hub or visit the app stores to download TradeStation’s Mobile App.
“Step 3: Learn the platform
“Step 4: Learn to trade
Options Education Center
Immerse yourself in complex options trading through webinars, detailed PDFs, strategy guides, and real-world tips, including trading with probabilities and tax considerations for options traders.
Futures Education Center
See the difference futures can make for hedging, directional trades, and more. Browse webinars, detailed PDFs, strategy guides, and real-world tips, including analyzing with the Greeks and tax considerations for futures traders.
Practice in the simulator
Use our trading simulator to test strategies risk-free once your account is funded. You can manage your preferences: Log in > Click profile (top right) > Manage.
Join a Master Class
These courses aren’t Trading 101. Go deeper with live and on-demand sessions covering advanced features and market trends, ranging from technical analysis and EasyLanguage programming to breaking down complex options and futures strategies.
Step 5: Find your next big trading opportunity
Stay informed with expert analysis and trader commentary.
Market Insights
Stay ahead with exclusive, data-driven forecasts.
Options Insights
Unlock advanced strategies and volatility tips.
Community forum*
Connect with fellow traders, swap strategies, and sharpen your skills.
*Access community preferences in your account: login to your client TradeStation HUB > click profile upper right hand corner > manage.
Step 6: Build your trading plan
A trading plan is essential for any investor or trader because it provides structure, discipline, and a clear strategy to guide decision-making, especially in volatile markets. A well-crafted plan outlines specific goals, risk tolerance, entry and exit criteria, and position sizing rules—helping to remove emotion from trades.
We have created some templates for you to build your own. Start by defining your financial objectives, choosing a trading style (such as day trading or option trading), and setting rules based on technical and/or fundamental analysis. Once your plan is in place, take full advantage of the tools available in our trading platforms, including customizable charts, real-time data, risk management features, and watchlists, to execute your strategy with precision and confidence.
A solid trading plan is your roadmap to smarter decisions.
Options trading is not suitable for all investors. Your TradeStation Securities’ account application to trade options will be considered and approved or disapproved based on all relevant factors, including your trading experience. See www.TradeStation.com/DisclosureOptions. Visit www.TradeStation.com/Pricing for full details on the costs and fees associated with options.
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