Which Backtesting Software is Best for Systematic Traders?

Beyond Charts VS Optuma: Which Trading Software is the Best? - Table of Contents

Beyond Charts VS Optuma: Comparing Backtesting Software for Systematic Trading

If your focus is on detailed charting, scanning, and discretionary technical analysis, Optuma has more breadth. But for traders aiming to automate and systematize their process end-to-end, neither platform is ideal. Tools like RealTest or Amibroker are better suited for systematic trading due to superior realism, speed, and usability. That said, let’s break down Beyond Charts vs Optuma across the dimensions that matter.

Beyond Charts VS Optuma at a Glance:

Short on time? Here’s how Beyond Charts VS Optuma compare side by side.

Feature	Beyond Charts	Optuma
OS Compatibility	Windows only	Windows desktop + web/cloud access
Cost	AUD ~$595 one-time license	Subscription: AUD ~$810/year and up
Strategy Backtesting	Basic (single stock)	Basic to intermediate (limited realism)
Automation	No	Limited via scripting/API
Charting & Scanning	Simple & fast	Very detailed & flexible
Brokerage Integration	None	Supports Interactive Brokers
Best Use Case	Simpler rules-based visual charting	Visual analysis, complex charting

Platform Overview, Cost & Compatibility

Beyond Charts is a Windows-based tool with a simple license model (one-off fee). It’s designed for visual, discretionary traders and rules-based swing traders using charts and indicators.

Optuma is more advanced, offering both desktop and cloud access with multiple tiers (Trader, Professional, Enterprise). Subscription pricing starts from AUD ~$810/year, making it a pricier ongoing investment. However, it offers far more power if you’re deep into technical analysis.

Both tools can run on Mac via Parallels or Bootcamp. But be aware: neither platform is optimized for native Mac use, and Wine is not recommended.

Beyond Charts Main View:

Optuma Main View:

Market Access & Data Support in Beyond Charts VS Optuma

Beyond Charts has limited market access and depends on manual import or Norgate Data. It’s focused on Australian equities and US stocks. Data must be cleaned and maintained manually.

Optuma supports multiple data vendors, including Bloomberg, IQFeed, and Norgate. It also allows custom data inputs and connects to Interactive Brokers for real-time feeds. If you’re exploring international markets like ASX, US, or Hong Kong, Optuma offers broader compatibility.

Still, for global portfolio diversification and ease of data handling, RealTest and Amibroker remain stronger contenders.

Beyond Charts Backtesting Interface:

Optuma Backtesting Interface:

Building & Customizing Trading Strategies

Beyond Charts uses its proprietary BCFL (Beyond Charts Formula Language) for signal creation, but this is limited to simple scans and charts. There’s no event-driven engine or true trading system development workflow.

Optuma’s OSL (Optuma Scripting Language) is more advanced, enabling conditionals, indicators, and scans. However, scripting can feel abstract and lacks the structured “system-first” design that systematic traders rely on.

Both platforms were built with technical analysts in mind, not systematic traders. You’ll likely spend more time wrestling with syntax than refining profitable rules.

Check Out: Trading System Development

Beyond Charts Code Editor:

Optuma Code Editor:

Backtesting Performance, Speed & Realism

Neither Beyond Charts nor Optuma provides full portfolio backtesting with dynamic position sizing or cash management. They simulate trades on single instruments rather than on full portfolios.

This is a dealbreaker if your focus is on building trading systems with real-world constraints.

Optuma offers basic backtesting with metrics like win rate, drawdown, and average trade. Beyond Charts can backtest on indicators for individual stocks but lacks depth.

There’s no slippage modeling, no realistic order types, and no simulation of position sizing, which are essential for confidence in live execution.

If realism and speed matter to you, RealTest or Amibroker are the better fit for true system traders.

Check out: Backtesting | Drawdown

Beyond Charts Backtest Report:

Optuma Backtest Report:

Strategy Optimization & Stress Testing Tools

Neither Beyond Charts nor Optuma excels at trading system optimization.

Beyond Charts does not support parameter optimization or robustness testing. Optuma has limited optimization but lacks robust walk-forward analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, or stability testing over time.

This means curve fitting risk is high if you’re not careful. Without tools to validate that your edge holds across time and parameters, it’s easy to fool yourself.

Charting Features, Signal Exploration & Live Execution

Here, Optuma shines. Its charting engine is advanced, especially useful for discretionary traders, CMT candidates, or analysts using proprietary indicators.

You can create custom visuals, annotate charts, and run multi-condition scans. Execution is possible via Interactive Brokers integration, although it’s not designed for full automation.

Beyond Charts is more lightweight. It offers simpler charting and fast scan results, but lacks flexibility. There’s no broker connectivity, and execution is manual.

Neither platform supports automated trading systems out of the box.

Check Out Order Types | Automated Trading Systems

Optuma Automation Set Up:

Support, Documentation & Learning Resources

Beyond Charts has limited documentation and dated tutorials. Support is minimal and updates are infrequent.

Optuma offers detailed documentation, training webinars, and customer support — but the learning curve is steep. You’ll need to invest significant time to become proficient.

Compare that to RealTest, which has clean, modern docs and clear examples focused on systematic thinking. You can get a strategy running in an afternoon, not weeks.

Beyond Charts Forum Front Page is illustrated down below:

Beyondcharts - forum front page via share wealth systems

Optuma Forum Front Page is illustrated down below:

Beyond Charts VS Optuma: Which One Should You Use?

Use Beyond Charts if you’re a part-time trader looking for fast charting and basic signal creation for ASX or US stocks.

Use Optuma if you’re a visual trader, analyst, or technical purist who values deep charting and flexible scans more than speed or full automation.

Skip both if your goal is to trade systematically, manage a rules-based portfolio, and make decisions based on fact not feeling. These platforms are not optimized for that.

Our Recommendation

If you’re serious about becoming a confident, consistent and rules-based trader, start by using proper backtesting software that supports full portfolio simulation, true-to-life execution logic, and flexible position sizing.

Tools like RealTest and Amibroker are ideal here. They support the full lifecycle (from system design and validation to optimization and automation) all while staying lean and fast.

If you’re still relying on visual charts and discretionary setups, you’re likely missing the most powerful benefits of systematic trading.

Want The Rest of the Puzzle?

Backtesting software is just one piece. The real transformation happens when you align your tools, your systems, and your psychology with your goals.

If you’re tired of chasing tips and want to build wealth systematically, the next step is clear: The Trader Success System.

Inside, you’ll discover:

Proven trading systems
A step-by-step backtesting framework
Position sizing tools
Automation strategies that let you trade in 30 minutes or less

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Trading and Backtesting Software Review List

Check our our Trading and backtesting software review hub

Multicharts-backtest-report | enlightened stock trading

Adrian Reid Founder and CEO

Adrian is a full-time private trader based in Australia and also the Founder and Trading Coach at Enlightened Stock Trading, which focuses on educating and supporting traders on their journey to profitable systems trading. Following his successful adoption of systematic trading which generated him hundreds of thousands of dollars a year using just 30 minutes a day to manage his system trading workflow, Adrian made the easy decision to leave his professional work in the corporate world in 2012. Adrian trades long/short across US, Australian and international stock markets and the cryptocurrency markets. His trading systems are now fully automated and have consistently outperformed international share markets with dramatically reduced risk over the past 20+ years. Adrian focuses on building portfolios of profitable, stable and robust long term trading systems to beat market returns with high risk adjusted returns. Adrian teaches traders from all over the world how to get profitable, confident and consistent by trading systematically and backtesting their own trading systems. He helps profitable traders grow and smooth returns by implementing a portfolio of trading systems to make money from different markets and market conditions.

See Full Bio

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Beyond Charts VS Optuma: Which Trading Software is the Best?