ProRealTime is a charting and technical analysis platform developed by IT-Finance, a France-based company established in the early 2000s. Built primarily for professional and semi-professional traders, it offers comprehensive market analysis tools, integrated trading functions, and automated strategy development across a wide range of asset classes. The software is accessible via a web browser or desktop application and is known for its clean interface, in-depth charting customisation, and high-quality historical data.
Although it is sometimes used purely as an analysis tool in conjunction with external brokers or trading platforms, ProRealTime also provides direct market access (DMA) and execution capabilities through broker partnerships, most notably with IG and Interactive Brokers. This dual functionality makes it attractive to users who want precise, research-oriented tools without sacrificing trade execution.
Charting and Technical Tools
Charting is central to ProRealTime’s appeal. The platform provides an extensive range of chart types, including candlestick, bar, Heikin-Ashi, Renko, Kagi, and point and figure. It offers multiple timeframes, including intraday intervals down to one second and long-term intervals extending over several decades.
The technical indicator library is extensive. More than one hundred standard indicators are available, and users can create their own or import indicators from a large, active community. Custom indicators can be developed using ProBuilder, the platform’s scripting language. This language is relatively straightforward compared to alternatives like MQL5 or NinjaScript, but still supports the construction of advanced functions, including conditionals, loops, and nested logic structures.
ProRealTime’s drawing tools are another strength. Traders can annotate charts with trendlines, Fibonacci tools, geometric shapes, and text. These elements can be linked across timeframes, synchronised with specific price levels, and saved as part of custom layouts. The interface allows multiple charts per screen and supports a tabbed environment for quick navigation between assets and setups.
The platform includes advanced features such as real-time market scans, automatic pattern recognition (e.g., head and shoulders, triangles), and sectoral heatmaps. For traders who rely heavily on technical confirmation, chart overlays and comparative analysis tools are well-implemented, offering the flexibility to chart multiple assets or timeframes within one window.
Trading Integration and Broker Access
While ProRealTime can be used purely for charting, it also supports trade execution through selected brokers. The most prominent partnerships are with IG for CFDs and spread betting and with Interactive Brokers for multi-asset execution.
When linked with a broker account, traders can place orders directly from charts or through the trading interface. Supported order types include market, limit, stop, trailing stop, and OCO (One Cancels Other). Position management tools are embedded in the platform, showing real-time P&L, exposure, and margin usage.
The execution environment includes several risk management features. Traders can predefine default order sizes, stop distances, and take-profit targets. Bracket orders can be applied automatically upon entry, and alerts can be configured to trigger based on price movement, volume thresholds, or indicator conditions.
Order flow tools are more limited than platforms like NinjaTrader or Sierra Chart, but for chart-based execution and mid-frequency strategies, the trade management system is more than adequate. Execution latency depends on the broker rather than the platform itself, as ProRealTime routes orders through external systems.
Automation and Backtesting
ProRealTime supports automated trading via its ProOrder module. Traders can create rule-based strategies using the proprietary ProBacktest and ProOrder tools. Strategies are coded in the platform’s ProBuilder language and can include entry/exit conditions, stop-loss and take-profit logic, and position sizing rules.
The backtesting engine is robust and supports multiple testing modes, including tick-by-tick simulation and bar-based approximation. Traders can adjust slippage, commission, and spread settings to better reflect real-world conditions. Results are presented in detailed reports showing equity curves, drawdown statistics, win/loss ratios, and risk-adjusted performance metrics.
Automated strategies can be deployed in a live environment either through ProRealTime’s native brokerage or via a linked third-party account. One advantage of the platform is that live automated systems can be hosted on ProRealTime’s servers, eliminating the need for the user to run the platform on a local machine or use a VPS.
The automation system is more constrained than some competitors in terms of execution speed and complexity. It is best suited for medium- to low-frequency strategies, swing trading, and portfolio-level allocation systems. For users needing high-frequency trading or external data integrations, platforms with broader API support may be more appropriate.
Data Quality and Market Coverage
One of ProRealTime’s selling points is the quality of its historical data. The platform offers access to extensive historical price series across equities, indices, forex, commodities, and bonds. Data is clean, adjusted for corporate actions where relevant, and available for testing or manual review. Real-time data is available through paid subscriptions or via brokerage partnerships.
For stock traders, particularly those focused on European markets, ProRealTime provides comprehensive coverage of Euronext, LSE, Xetra, and other regional exchanges. U.S. markets are also supported, though real-time data from certain exchanges may require additional fees due to licensing.
The platform supports global watchlists, sector-based filters, and dynamic screeners that update in real time. Traders can create custom screeners based on any combination of indicators, price action patterns, or fundamental data where available.
User Interface and Usability
The interface is designed for detailed visual work and is generally considered clean and professional. It supports multiple monitors and high-resolution setups, though the learning curve is moderate. The platform is Java-based and runs within a browser or through a desktop shortcut that launches a web-driven app. This allows cross-device access without the constraints of traditional installed software, though performance is better on more powerful machines.
Templates, layouts, and alerts are saved in the cloud, meaning users can move between systems without losing their work. Chart loading is fast and stable, even with complex indicators or multi-timeframe setups.
The platform is less suited to traders who want a quick, simplified overview or mobile-first experience. The mobile interface exists but is more limited in functionality, focusing on basic charting and trade monitoring rather than full control.
Licensing and Subscription
ProRealTime is available in both free and paid versions. The free version provides delayed data and limited functionality, intended mostly for demonstration or casual analysis. Paid subscriptions unlock real-time data, full indicator access, advanced backtesting, and live automated trading features.
Pricing depends on the data packages and broker integrations selected. Traders using ProRealTime through IG or Interactive Brokers may receive the platform for free or at a reduced rate if they meet minimum trading volume thresholds.
Support is offered via email, phone, and an extensive knowledge base. The community around ProRealTime is smaller and more technical than that of MetaTrader or TradingView but is active and includes contributions from experienced users and developers.