Every AI trading bot on this site goes through the same test. Same steps, same scorecard, same disclosures. That’s the only way a score of 72 on one page means the same thing as a 72 on another.
Who runs the tests
Testing is led by Jay Rocco, Founder and Editor of FullStack Alpha. Since 2022, FullStack Alpha has tested more than 200 AI stock tools, and Jay has run more than 15 platforms on live accounts, spending over $20,000 of his own money on subscriptions and trades along the way. Read more on Jay’s author page.
The five step test
1. Sign up like a real customer
We trial or buy every AI trading bot with our own account, at the plan tier a normal user would pick. We record the plan, the price paid, and the month tested. No press accounts, no special access.
2. Connect a real broker
We link a live or paper brokerage account through the official method: API key, OAuth partner login, or webhook. Every failed or unofficial connection gets noted. See Trading Bots by Broker.
3. Run it through real sessions
The bot trades or signals through live market sessions, including at least one volatile open where possible. We log fills, slippage, missed alerts, delays, and downtime.
4. Check what real users say
We read Reddit threads, Trustpilot, G2, and app store reviews and compare them against each other. One glowing source and three angry ones tells a story. Inflated ratings get flagged.
5. Score it out of 100
Five pillars, 20 points each. Rankings are sorted by that score and nothing else.
The 100 point scorecard
| Pillar | Points | What earns the points |
|---|---|---|
| Signal quality | 20 | Signals or trades that hold up in live sessions, not just in the demo |
| Transparency | 20 | Readable rules or methodology, honest performance data, clear risks |
| Price to value | 20 | Real monthly cost including data and upgrades, weighed against what you get |
| Usability | 20 | Setup time, broker connection, controls, and how fast you can pause it |
| Community verdict | 20 | Consistent feedback from real users across independent sources |
What every review discloses
- Access tested: free plan, paid plan, demo, or documentation only
- Month tested and broker used
- Account type: live or paper
- Affiliate relationship: yes or no
- Who it is not for
What we will never do
- Sell a score, a ranking, or a review
- Publish a return promise or a price prediction
- Hide a bad result because a company pays us
- Present a backtest as a live result
Corrections and updates
Platforms change fast. When pricing, features, or reliability shift, we retest and date the update. If you spot an error, contact the editor and we will fix it and note the change on the page.
See how the site earns money on How We Make Money.
Method maintained by Jay Rocco, Founder and Editor of FullStack Alpha. Educational content only, not financial advice.
Stay alpha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you test AI trading bots with real money?
Yes, where the platform allows it, alongside paper accounts. Every review states which account type, plan tier, broker, and month were used.
Can a company pay to be reviewed or ranked higher?
No. Companies cannot buy a review, a score, or a position. Affiliate links exist on some pages and are always disclosed, but rankings are sorted by score only.
How often are scores updated?
When pricing, features, broker support, or reliability changes in a way that affects the score. Every update is dated on the review.
What if you get something wrong?
Tell us through the contact page. We check it, fix it, and note the correction and date on the page.
