If you’re focused on lightning-fast backtesting, deep customization, and have the time to learn a niche scripting language, Amibroker is a powerful and affordable option.
If you’re after multi-broker execution, visual strategy design, and integration with TradeStation-style scripting (EasyLanguage), MultiCharts delivers more polished execution and compatibility.

But for those who want a platform that truly empowers fast, realistic, and easy-to-validate system testing with minimal friction, neither of these tools are ideal.

Let’s dive into the details:

Amibroker is a high-performance backtesting engine which operates at a very acceptable speed. Its core strength lies in AFL – a proprietary scripting language optimized for vectorized computation. However, this comes with a learning curve. It’s affordable, with a one-time license starting at US$299.

MultiCharts is a visual, chart-driven platform that supports EasyLanguage (used in TradeStation). It offers a more polished UI, integrated broker support, and features like drag-and-drop strategy building. However, it’s pricier and typically subscription-based.

Both tools are Windows-only, but can run on Mac via Parallels or Bootcamp. Wine is technically possible but not recommended.

If you’re building a diversified portfolio of systems across markets, both platforms will support you with the right data feeds.
MultiCharts has a slight edge with built-in broker integrations for live data.

Amibroker is built for developers. You write your strategies in AFL. While this gives you complete control, it also requires a deep understanding of logic and syntax. For traders that are willing to put in the time, this is empowering. For others, unless you’re already familiar with scripting, this could be a barrier.

If you’ve used TradeStation before, MultiCharts will feel familiar. It offers PowerLanguage (EasyLanguage-compatible) scripting and visual strategy building. This makes it easier to experiment without writing everything from scratch.

Bottom Line:
If you want maximum flexibility, go with Amibroker.
If you want ease of visual setup and live integration, MultiCharts wins.

This is where Amibroker shines. With proper use of its custom backtesting (CBT) functions, Amibroker delivers very fast multi symbol-level backtests. But a thorough knowledge of AFL will be required.

MultiCharts provides multi symbol-level backtesting out of the box. While not as fast as Amibroker, it’s more approachable for beginners.

Realism in execution depends on how well you set up slippage, commissions, and trade execution logic. MultiCharts integrates this more easily; Amibroker gives you more control, but it’s manual.

If execution realism is critical to your workflow, neither platform is ideal. RealTest is a better fit because it allows highly realistic multi-system, multi-instrument simulation without convoluted code.

Amibroker is famous for its advanced charting and custom scans. If you’re a chartist, this is paradise. The flexibility of AFL means you can build virtually any custom indicator or visual setup you can imagine.

Execution is possible via Interactive Brokers using plugins, but only for one instrument at a time unless you build automation yourself.

MultiCharts provides polished charting and native multi-broker execution (e.g., IB, CQG, Rithmic). You can automate multiple strategies simultaneously and execute trades across instruments easily.

If automation is a must for your trading system, MultiCharts is more plug-and-play.

The Amibroker community is active, but the documentation is dated and technical. If you’re not already comfortable debugging code, you’ll likely hit some roadblocks.

MultiCharts offers modern documentation and a more guided onboarding process. Forums, video tutorials, and customer support are more accessible.

Compared to RealTest, both platforms still feel a bit clunky for new traders building confidence. RealTest’s documentation is more current and user-friendly.