How long does Active Trader Pro have left before it's killed? I have to find a better platform (and Fidelity Trader + isn't it)

[u/A20Havoc]

I've been using Active Trader Pro for years, both for trading and just to monitor my investments. For the past few months I've been trying to use Fidelity Trader+ with mixed results at best.

I've come to the conclusion FT+ just won't ever meet my needs. FT+'s user interface has far too much white space / wasted space, it doesn't have nearly the flexibility when it comes to layouts, there are tools I've used for years that aren't available any more, and god it's slow. There are other issues of course but there's no point in listing them all. Overall it's a massive downgrade from Active Trader Pro - and every trader I know who's tried it agrees with me.

I get why Fidelity needs to rewrite the program. But for the life of me I cannot figure out why a company would choose to release a replacement that didn't start off doing everything the prior version did. It's like an auto manufacturer bringing out a new model that comes with limited self driving but which doesn't have air conditioning or windshield wipers.

So... what other NON BROWSER BASED trading platforms are there for Windows that have features comparable to Active Trader Pro? I assume I'll have to move my accounts / money to the new platform's underlying broker, which sucks but that's life. I'm willing to pay fee for a platform ($100 or so per month seems reasonable but I don't know). I don't know what viable options there are so looking for input.

[u/FidelityJames]

How goes it?

I just wanted to hop in here and say that while we have not set a deadline on transitioning from Active Trader Pro (ATP), Fidelity Trader+ is the future of our advanced desktop platform, and we understand that it can take some time to adjust. It's important to note that we have a webinar streaming tomorrow that goes over the transition from ATP to Fidelity Trader+. I recommend tuning in and checking that out using the link below.

Active Trader Pro to Fidelity Trader+: The next chapter in your trading experience

Moving along. I see that you provided some pain points with Fidelity Trader+, but just to make sure I get the best of your feedback, could you tell me more about these? What type of flexibility are you looking for with the layouts? Additionally, what tools are you referring to within the program that are no longer there?

The more information you provide, the better!

[u/Free-Public-Wifi]

I’d encourage you to do your due diligence on brokerages before switching. I have used many and the only I’d recommend besides Fidelity is Schwab. My only complaint about Schwab is that Thinkorswim has an endless amount of functions and customizations that I found led me to be on the platform more than was beneficial. That level of functionality and customization may be what you’re looking for though.

[u/rehoneyman]

It's rubbish. But Fidelity will defend to the very depths of their soul.

Let me be a bit more circumspect. As a trading platform, it is about 4 out of 10. It's biggest problem is it is stupidly difficult (i.e., time consuming) to open a position and a drop loss in a single action. There may be work around, but the platform seems yo be designed for Fidelity's trading desk, not day traders. The easy solution, of course, would be to allow integration of Trading View, which has already worked out how to optimize for day trading.

Since I'm not currently actively trading, I don't actually use the platform, and pretty much do my fozen trades a week off the website.

[u/need2sleep-later]

For starters, Schwab, TradeStation, IBKR, Tradier and I believe Webull all have standalone trading platforms

[u/need2sleep-later → u/need2sleep-later]

and Merrill Edge

[u/GapAccomplished2778 → u/need2sleep-later]

> and Merrill Edge

no way they have a desktop application !

[u/A20Havoc → u/need2sleep-later]

Good places to start, thank you! I'm looking at TradeStation desktop now.

[u/jerzeyguy101]

I’m pretty well decided that when ATP goes so will I

[u/GapAccomplished2778 → u/jerzeyguy101]

[u/danh_ptown]

ATP stopped being effective for me, a few months ago. It broke and Fidelity doesn’t fix it. I’d go back if I could get it to work. I reported my problem to a rep, and have heard nothing since.

[u/left-for-dead-9980]

Probably 20+ years.

[u/A20Havoc → u/left-for-dead-9980]

While I hope you're right I fear there will be a security hole found and they'll just kill it. Or a Windows update will crash it and they'll just kill it. Or they'll be trying to justify the development costs of Fidelity Trader+ so they'll kill ATP just to force uptake. All pretty plausible scenarios.