Both platforms use connected brokerages and visual builders - but pricing and automation tiers are very different.
Last updated: August 2026.
Quantly and QuantMage share a similar technical foundation: visual strategy design, daily backtesting, and connected brokerage execution. Where they diverge is pricing structure, paper trading (Quantly only), community features, and how quickly you can access automated trading.
QuantMage offers a low-cost Apprentice tier for building and backtesting, with live automated trading reserved for the premium Mage tier. Quantly is the only platform in this comparison with a dedicated paper trading plan - Quantly Paper ($15/mo) automates in a risk-free environment before you upgrade to Pro for live trading.
Workflow and terminology
QuantMage uses spell and incantation terminology in its Grimoire editor. Strategies are composed of building blocks like If/Else, Weighted, Filtered, and Switch nodes - conceptually similar to other visual quant builders.
Quantly uses a tree-based editor with If/Else, Filter, Weight, and asset nodes. The workflow emphasizes branch history, benchmark comparisons, and Explore for browsing public community strategies.
Pricing structure
QuantMage Apprentice ($8/mo annual, $10/mo monthly) covers strategy design and backtesting but not automated trading. The Mage tier ($400-500/mo) adds automated trading, premium support, community access, and founder-led sessions.
Quantly Paper ($15/mo) includes automated paper trading. Quantly Pro ($25/mo) adds live trading and priority support. For users who want live automation without a four-figure monthly commitment, the pricing models differ significantly.
Execution model
Both platforms target daily (not intraday) trading and integrate with supported brokerage partners. Quantly is the only one with a paper trading tier for automated execution without real capital. QuantMage jumps straight to live automation on the Mage plan.
On trade timing, Quantly stands out: each strategy can execute at its own time between 9:30 AM and 3:59 PM ET. QuantMage typically trades around 3:50 PM ET with no per-strategy scheduling through the day.
Because they use connected brokerages rather than a US-only integrated brokerage, Quantly and QuantMage can be used by investors outside the United States in regions where supported brokers operate - though live trading availability still depends on broker coverage in your country.
QuantMage offers a 14-day free trial; Quantly offers a straightforward subscription with paper and pro tiers.
Summary: who each platform fits
Choose Quantly if you...
- Want the only dedicated paper trading tier before going live
- Need per-strategy trade times from 9:30 AM to 3:59 PM ET
- Build complex strategies with reference blocks for repeated sub-trees
- Want automated paper or live trading without a $400+/mo tier
- Live outside the US and need connected-broker execution in your region
- Value Explore for community strategies and transparent $15/$25 pricing
- Need Composer symphony import support
- Prefer a platform focused on long-history backtesting, reference blocks, and branch history
- Want AI strategy generation in the app or through MCP for AI assistants
Choose QuantMage if you...
- Only need build and backtest tools at the lowest monthly cost
- Want high-touch founder sessions and an exclusive community (Mage tier)
- Are comfortable with spell/incantation workflow and terminology
- Already use QuantMage and are satisfied with the Mage tier value
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Quantly or QuantMage outside the US?
Yes. Both platforms connect to supported brokerage partners, which serve users in many countries outside the United States. Quantly offers paper trading for risk-free automated execution; QuantMage requires the Mage tier for live automation. Live trading on either platform depends on whether your broker offers live accounts in your region.
Do both platforms require a connected brokerage?
Yes. Both Quantly and QuantMage connect to supported brokerage partners for execution. Quantly Paper automates against a paper account; Quantly Pro and QuantMage Mage use live brokerage accounts.
Which is cheaper for automated trading?
Quantly Pro ($25/mo) includes live automated trading. QuantMage requires the Mage tier ($400-500/mo) for automated trading. For automation-focused users, the price gap is substantial.
Can I migrate from Composer to either platform?
Quantly supports direct Composer symphony JSON import. QuantMage also documents a Composer migration path. Compare import workflows and run backtests after migration on either platform.
Are these platforms for day trading?
No. Both are designed for daily or less-frequent rebalancing, not high-frequency intraday trading. Backtesting and execution use daily data.
