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Backtesting programs

  • #1
  • First Post: Dec 15, 2004 4:43pm Dec 15, 2004 4:43pm
What are the most commonly used software or services used to backtest trading systems? I'm new to all of this.
  • #2
  • Dec 15, 2004 5:09pm Dec 15, 2004 5:09pm
Metastock is a commonly used one.
Efficient Markets? Hah!
  • #3
  • Dec 15, 2004 5:53pm Dec 15, 2004 5:53pm
the two major platforms are metastocks and tradestation. if you can afford it, tradestation is the best. there are a number of other softwares out there, check out the "code" section of any Stocks and Commodities magazine and you will see them all there.
Relax and be happy.
  • #4
  • Apr 27, 2007 9:59am Apr 27, 2007 9:59am
Merlin............is your answer about backtesting software still current and relevant?

Quoting merlin
the two major platforms are metastocks and tradestation. if you can afford it, tradestation is the best.
  • #5
  • Apr 27, 2007 10:14am Apr 27, 2007 10:14am
Quoting BeachBum
Merlin............is your answer about backtesting software still current and relevant?
I would also add AmiBroker for backtesting. There is so much you can do with it. I have nearly no faith in metatrader for Backtesting.
  • #6
  • Apr 27, 2007 10:19am Apr 27, 2007 10:19am
You can add wealth-lab to that as well. It was pretty big before Fidelity got a hold of it. I heard the Fidelity version is pretty nice, but obviously, you have to trade with them to get into it. I think you can still purchase wealth-lab, but I'm not sure.

Same with Scott here...I have no faith at all in MetaTrader backtesting. It tries to interpolate too much and often the results are so skewed.

Quoting smjones
I would also add AmiBroker for backtesting. There is so much you can do with it. I have nearly no faith in metatrader for Backtesting.
  • #7
  • Apr 27, 2007 10:33am Apr 27, 2007 10:33am
yeah...I used and liked WealthLab, too.
  • #8
  • Apr 27, 2007 12:22pm Apr 27, 2007 12:22pm
Scott, mrmikal, tradeigel...............thanks for your input! I too, have no use for Metatrader backtesting; that's one of the reasons I'm looking for a reliable, powerful backtesting program.............and it doesn't have to be free, I'm willing to pay for a good one!

I would still like someone to comment on Tradestation. Anyone?
  • #9
  • Apr 27, 2007 3:17pm Apr 27, 2007 3:17pm
Forex Tester
  • #10
  • Apr 27, 2007 4:04pm Apr 27, 2007 4:04pm
NeoTicker is the best by a long shot IMO.
  • #11
  • Apr 27, 2007 6:50pm Apr 27, 2007 6:50pm
Quoting BeachBum
Merlin............is your answer about backtesting software still current and relevant?
yes most definetely. TS is the best, and getting better. it is the core of my trading, it does a lot more than backtesting. it does anything you want, really.

nice digging up this old thread
Relax and be happy.
  • #12
  • Apr 28, 2007 8:08am Apr 28, 2007 8:08am
I looked thru this thread so far and havent seen any substantive info on why metatrader backtester is no good. It's just that somehow people don't trust it.

Can someone enlighten me on what is advantage of tradestation over MT.
And what are the shortfalls of the MT backtester?
  • #13
  • Apr 28, 2007 8:10am Apr 28, 2007 8:10am
Quoting irusoh
I looked thru this thread so far and havent seen any substantive info on why metatrader backtester is no good. It's just that somehow people don't trust it.

Can someone enlighten me on what is advantage of tradestation over MT.
And what are the shortfalls of the MT backtester?
It is not the program one writes with MT4 that is at fault. It is the way that MT4 interpolates data and the history available for it that is the problem, in my opinion. Perhaps this is more the fault of the brokers that run MT4, but in the end the result is still the same.
  • #14
  • Apr 28, 2007 8:31am Apr 28, 2007 8:31am
As with anything you will have to look into it and draw your own conclusions. Take any EA out there and backtest them - you will find that many of them turn you into a millionaire within a year or two with only $2000 initial deposit.

Put that same EA into a live account with $2000 balance and I will guarantee you will be busted out within a year - probably much, much sooner.

Again, you can draw your own conclusions from this...

D.



Quoting irusoh
I looked thru this thread so far and havent seen any substantive info on why metatrader backtester is no good. It's just that somehow people don't trust it.

Can someone enlighten me on what is advantage of tradestation over MT.
And what are the shortfalls of the MT backtester?
  • #15
  • Apr 28, 2007 11:33am Apr 28, 2007 11:33am
avalon, Keys, merlin, Scott & Daemien.............thanks for the opinions!

Maybe I should have explained how I want to test in my first post: I have developed a fairly simple, straightforward way of trading; a kind of "set & forget", 24 hour, intra-day system. Currently I trade using this method everyday. I have done some backtesting by staring at 1 hour charts and using a paper and pencil for hours. The results are very good, similar to my current active trading. However, I want to test my method on 15 or more pairs going back for at least two years. No EA testing, but rather using a daily trade formula that would be valid from NY close to NY close. Hence my question.

I'm still very open to suggestions and observations..............ALL are appreciated!
  • #16
  • Apr 28, 2007 11:38am Apr 28, 2007 11:38am
Quoting merlin
nice digging up this old thread
Merlin............this is a case of me "practicing what I preach". Too many times to count, I have admonished (some would say, 'scold') other FF members to 'Search' before they ask. That's what I did and thus I 'dug' up the old thread. (Seeing these old posts kinda brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?.........very nostalgic)..................
  • #17
  • Apr 28, 2007 12:25pm Apr 28, 2007 12:25pm
Quoting Daemien
As with anything you will have to look into it and draw your own conclusions. Take any EA out there and backtest them - you will find that many of them turn you into a millionaire within a year or two with only $2000 initial deposit.

Put that same EA into a live account with $2000 balance and I will guarantee you will be busted out within a year - probably much, much sooner.

Again, you can draw your own conclusions from this...

D.
Nonsense, I test my own Eas, and those of the others, and they are quite mediocre, and they don't make 2mill or anything like that, and then later they perform exactly the same on demo or live accounts just like backtest under most conditions.

People just don't know how to use backtester.
  • #18
  • Apr 28, 2007 12:30pm Apr 28, 2007 12:30pm
Quoting smjones
It is not the program one writes with MT4 that is at fault. It is the way that MT4 interpolates data and the history available for it that is the problem, in my opinion. Perhaps this is more the fault of the brokers that run MT4, but in the end the result is still the same.
Backtester should not be run without 1min data loaded and all other timeframes synchornized.
Actually MT has a download for many symbols. That data wasn't very good at first, but I think they cleaned it up lately, so it is as good as anything else.

I must say, when used properly, MT backtester is very close to real time simulation and with visual testing you can actually see how it works.
Of course, it is only as good as the EA running it.
  • #19
  • Apr 30, 2007 4:26am Apr 30, 2007 4:26am
neoticker
  • #20
  • Mar 23, 2024 6:38pm Mar 23, 2024 6:38pm
Dear all, I am encountering a problem in checking some results using Wealth-Lab. In the following backtest, the commission used was zero. Initial capital 200, margin factor 500.

After the first operation, I should have equity of 210.39, correct? But upon checking the curve, I see it is at 210.24. The same happens after the second operation. Where am I going wrong in the calculation?

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