Plans, hidden costs, and alternatives compared
Trade Ideas charges $89/month (Standard) or $178/month (Premium) on annual billing for its AI-powered stock scanning platform.
The Premium plan with Holly AI is the main draw, but at $2,136/year it is one of the most expensive retail trading tools on the market. There is a free tier with delayed data for evaluation, and occasional promo codes offer 15-30% off, which can meaningfully reduce the cost.
Free
$89/month
$178/month
Monthly billing is 43% more expensive
Standard jumps from $89 to $127/mo, Premium from $178 to $254/mo — the annual commitment is essentially mandatory for reasonable pricing
AVWAP and GoNoGo chart add-ons cost $49/month each — two add-ons on top of Premium push total cost to $276/month
Windows-only desktop software
Mac users need Parallels ($100/yr) or similar virtualization to run it, adding hidden platform cost
No mobile app for real-time alerts — you are tethered to your desktop during market hours
Holly AI signals are not guaranteed profitable — the tool generates ideas but execution risk and slippage are entirely on you
Single retail trader, 12-month annual subscription
Real-time data, 500+ filters, 10 simultaneous charts, and paper trading cover the needs of pattern-based traders without paying for AI signals
Holly AI generates daily trade ideas with backtested edge, and OddsMaker lets you validate custom strategies — unique features you cannot get from free scanners
Delayed data and basic scanner access let you learn the interface before committing $89-178/month
Worth it if...
You are an active day trader making 5+ trades daily who needs real-time scanning with AI-generated setups. The Holly AI on Premium can surface opportunities you would miss manually. The tool pays for itself if it helps you find even one or two good trades per month.
Skip if...
You trade fewer than 3-5 times per week or primarily invest long-term — the scanning tools are built for active day traders and intraday momentum plays. Also skip if you are on Mac without virtualization: the Windows-only desktop app is a dealbreaker.
Negotiation tips
Search for active promo codes (PROP15, PROP25, PROP28, PROP30) before subscribing — they regularly offer 15-30% off. Start with the Standard plan monthly ($127) to evaluate, then switch to annual Premium if the scanning fits your style. Annual billing saves $912/year on Standard and $912/year on Premium.