A modern thinkorswim alternative for alerts
thinkorswim is one of the most powerful trading platforms ever built. It's also a desktop application from the early 2000s, with an alert system designed to fire on the desk, where the trader is sitting. Tickerbot is the mobile-first alert layer thinkorswim users end up wanting for everything outside the desk.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Tickerbot | thinkorswim |
|---|---|---|
| Best at | ✓ Plain-English mobile alerts | Desktop charting, execution, options |
| Mobile-first | ✓ iOS native, alerts on your phone | Mobile app exists but built for execution |
| Build a multi-condition alert | ✓ One English sentence | Custom thinkScript code |
| Learning curve | ✓ Type a sentence. Done. | Hours to learn thinkScript |
| Cross-asset (FX, crypto, commodities) | ✓ 20 FX, 100 crypto, gold, oil, treasuries | Stocks, options, futures, FX |
| Analyst ratings in alerts | ✓ Built in | Not in alerts |
| Insider trading alerts | ✓ SEC Form 4 with cluster detection | Not supported |
| Pricing | ✓ $39.99/mo with 14-day free trial | Free with TDA/Schwab account |
Where Tickerbot wins
Plain English instead of thinkScript
thinkScript is a powerful language if you're willing to learn it. If you're not, the alerting capability of thinkorswim is mostly inaccessible. Tickerbot lets you write the same kinds of conditions in English instead of code.
Mobile-first, not desktop-first
thinkorswim was built for traders who sit at desks. The mobile app is a concession, not the main product. Tickerbot is built mobile-first — alerts hit your phone, you can manage everything from there.
Try Tickerbot free
14-day trial, no credit card. Keep thinkorswim for the desk. Use Tickerbot for the alerts.