TradingView is one of the most powerful and user-friendly charting platforms available today, widely used by traders and investors around the world. Whether you're analyzing stocks, indices, futures, forex, or cryptocurrencies, TradingView provides a comprehensive suite of tools—all with an intuitive interface and full support for technical analysis.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using TradingView effectively—from setup and navigation to advanced features like indicators, strategies, and custom scripting. Designed for both beginners and experienced users, this tutorial ensures you get the most out of this essential trading tool.
What Is TradingView?
TradingView is a web-based financial visualization platform that allows users to view real-time price charts across multiple asset classes, including stocks, indices, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies. It’s not just a charting tool—it also functions as a social network for traders, where users can share trading ideas, publish analyses, and follow market commentary.
Many major financial websites—including Yahoo Finance and Investing.com—actually use TradingView’s charting engine behind the scenes, a testament to its industry-leading capabilities.
With built-in support for thousands of technical indicators, drawing tools, and automated strategy testing, TradingView has become the go-to platform for modern-day traders who want flexibility, depth, and real-time data—all in one place.
👉 Discover how professional traders analyze markets with powerful charting tools.
Free vs. Paid Plans: Choosing the Right Tier
TradingView offers a robust free plan, making it accessible for casual investors and beginners. However, serious traders often upgrade to access premium features.
Here’s a breakdown of key differences:
- Number of indicators per chart: Free users can add up to 2 indicators; paid plans allow between 5 and 50 depending on subscription level.
- Saved chart layouts: Only 1 layout can be saved on the free plan; paid versions offer between 5 and unlimited saves.
- Multiple charts per screen: The free version supports only one chart window; paid tiers unlock multi-chart layouts (up to 16).
- Price alerts: Free users get 3 alerts; paid subscribers enjoy between 20 and 1,000 alerts.
- Data depth and coverage: Some advanced financial instruments and extended historical data are only available in paid versions.
There are two main paid tiers: Pro, Pro+, and Premium. Most individual traders start with Pro or Pro+, starting at $12.95/month (with discounts for annual billing). The top-tier Premium plan is designed for professional traders and costs $199.95/month.
While the free version is excellent for learning and basic analysis, upgrading unlocks significant advantages—especially for those conducting in-depth research or managing complex portfolios.
How to Sign Up and Set Up TradingView
Getting started with TradingView is quick and straightforward.
Step 1: Change Language to Traditional Chinese (Optional)
If you prefer navigating in Traditional Chinese:
- Visit the official TradingView website
- Click the profile icon in the top-right corner
- Select Language → 繁體中文
You can do this before or after registration.
Step 2: Register for a Free Account
To begin:
- Click Get Started
- Choose Sign Up
Register using:
- Email address
- Google account
- Apple ID
Using a third-party login (like Google) speeds up the process and avoids manual form filling.
Once registered, you’ll gain access to core features—including saving charts, setting watchlists, and using basic technical tools—without any cost.
Navigating the TradingView Interface
After logging in, you’ll see a clean, modular dashboard divided into several functional sections:
Top Navigation Menu
- Products: Access advanced chart types (e.g., Heatmaps), stock screeners, and global economic calendars.
- Community: Explore trading ideas shared by other users, educational content, scripts, and live streams.
- Markets: Monitor real-time performance across asset classes like equities, crypto, forex, and commodities.
- News: Stay updated with breaking financial news from global sources.
- Brokers: Compare broker ratings and integrations.
- More: Includes help center, widgets, and settings.
Chart Workspace Overview
When you search for an asset (e.g., S&P 500 index under symbol SPX), you’ll see:
- Price movement over time
- Volume bars
- Current price and change percentage
- Interactive timeline at the bottom
In the lower-right corner, clicking the settings icon lets you switch between:
- Percent view: Shows return over the selected period
- Currency view: Displays absolute price changes
For individual stocks, look for the ADJ button:
- Blue = adjusted price (accounts for dividends/splits)
- Gray = raw/unadjusted price
Understanding adjusted vs. unadjusted pricing is crucial when analyzing long-term trends.
Using the Display Panel: Stock Screener & More
Located in the lower-right section of the chart interface, the Display Panel enhances your analysis by showing additional data alongside your chart.
To open it:
- Click the
^arrow in the bottom-right corner - Select Filters
Choose from:
- Stock Screener
- Forex Screener
- Cryptocurrency Pair Screener
You can filter stocks by metrics like volume, market cap, price change, P/E ratio, and more. Then click any result to load its chart instantly.
This feature is especially useful when scanning for opportunities based on specific criteria—such as high momentum or undervalued sectors.
Essential Drawing Tools for Technical Analysis
TradingView includes dozens of drawing tools. Here are three fundamental ones every trader should know.
1. Trendlines
Use trendlines to identify support/resistance levels or channel patterns:
- Click the first icon next to the chart → Expand menu → Select Trendline
- Draw between two swing points (e.g., lows in an uptrend)
- Customize color, thickness, or add labels/alerts via the settings panel
2. Horizontal Lines
Perfect for marking key price levels:
- Select Horizontal Line from the same menu
- Drag across the chart to set level
- Adjust position by dragging central dot
- Add text or alerts as needed
These are ideal for tracking resistance zones or psychological price points (like round numbers).
3. Volume Profile
Visualize where most trading activity occurred within a given range:
- Go to fourth icon → Select Fixed Range Volume Profile
- Draw diagonally across desired timeframe
- View distribution peaks (high-volume nodes)
This helps identify strong support/resistance areas based on actual trade volume—not just price action.
👉 See how volume analysis improves trade timing accuracy.
Comparing Assets & Multi-Chart Layouts
Want to compare S&P 500 (SPX) with VTI (a total U.S. stock market ETF)? Use the Compare function:
- Click the “Compare” button above the chart
- Enter another symbol
- Toggle opacity to see overlap clearly
To avoid cluttered visuals:
- Click the “More” options on the overlay
- Select Move to → Below in New Pane
This splits the view into separate windows—great for analyzing correlations or relative strength.
Free users can stack up to three charts; paid plans allow much more complex configurations.
Mastering Technical Indicators
TradingView hosts the largest library of technical indicators globally—many created by community members.
Common indicators include:
| Indicator | TradingView Name |
|---|---|
| SMA (Simple Moving Average) | Moving Average Simple |
| EMA | Moving Average Exponential |
| Bollinger Bands | Bollinger Bands |
| RSI | Relative Strength Index |
| MACD | MACD Strategy |
| Stochastic Oscillator (KD) | Stochastic |
| ATR | Average True Range |
To add an indicator:
- Click Indicators at the top
- Search by name (use English for best results)
- Apply to chart and adjust parameters (e.g., period length)
You can customize colors, line styles, and alert conditions directly from the settings panel.
Strategies & Backtesting with Pine Script
Unlike regular indicators, strategies generate buy/sell signals on your chart based on predefined rules.
For example:
- Moving Average Crossover strategy shows entry/exit points
- Red
-2: Short signal (sell two contracts) - Blue
+2: Long signal (buy two contracts)
Access strategies via:
Indicators → Technical → Strategies
Use the Strategy Tester panel to backtest performance against historical data—critical for validating edge before live trading.
Advanced users can create custom logic using Pine Script Editor:
- Found under "Pine Editor" in the left panel
- Write code to build unique indicators or automated strategies
- Publish publicly or keep private
This turns TradingView into a full-fledged algorithmic trading environment.
Financial Data Integration
Under the Indicators → Financials tab, you can overlay fundamental data onto price charts:
- P/E ratio
- Gross margin
- Revenue growth
- Earnings per share
Ideal for value investors or those blending technical and fundamental analysis.
Note: This data is only available for individual stocks—not indices or ETFs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use TradingView for Taiwan stock market analysis?
A: Yes! Use TAIEX for Taiwan Weighted Index and TXF1! for Taiwan Futures (day & night sessions). ETFs like 0050 and 006208 are also supported.
Q: Does TradingView offer mobile apps?
A: Yes—download the iOS or Android app to monitor markets on the go with full syncing across devices.
Q: Are there discounts for annual subscriptions?
A: Yes—annual plans typically offer 20–25% savings compared to monthly billing. Black Friday often brings special promotions.
Q: Can I write my own indicators?
A: Absolutely. Use Pine Script in the built-in editor to create custom tools tailored to your strategy.
Q: Is real-time data free?
A: Basic real-time data is included in the free plan, but delayed data may apply during market hours for certain exchanges unless upgraded.
Q: Is TradingView safe and reliable?
A: Yes—it's used by millions worldwide and powers charts on major financial sites. No personal trading data is exposed unless shared publicly.
Final Thoughts: Why Traders Love TradingView
TradingView combines powerful analytics with social engagement in a seamless interface. Its vast array of tools—combined with accessibility across desktop and mobile—makes it indispensable for modern investors.
Whether you're tracking global markets, testing strategies, or sharing insights with a community of peers, TradingView delivers unmatched functionality—especially when enhanced with strategic upgrades.
👉 Start mastering market analysis today with advanced charting tools.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.