Composer alternatives
An overview of no-code quantitative platforms for investors evaluating options beyond Composer.
Last updated: August 2026
Composer is one of the most visible no-code algorithmic trading platforms, especially after joining SoFi. Its free backtesting tier and integrated brokerage make it a strong default choice for many retail investors. But it is not the only option.
Investors look for Composer alternatives for different reasons: preferring bring-your-own-broker flexibility, wanting lower automation costs, needing batch backtesting APIs, or simply comparing workflow fit. This page summarizes four platforms - Composer, Quantly, QuantMage, and ExxaHub - without ranking one as universally "best."
Why investors explore alternatives
Common reasons include pricing structure (free build vs paid automation), custody model (integrated brokerage vs external Alpaca), feature depth (Monte Carlo, batch backtests, community), and portability (importing existing symphonies or strategies).
The right choice depends on whether you prioritize lowest entry cost, lowest automation cost, integrated IRAs, or API-driven research workflows.
Platform overviews
Composer: Integrated brokerage, free backtesting (~1993 at earliest by ticker), Trading Pass for automation, referral program (4 referrals = free for life), typically trades ~3:50-3:55 PM ET, symphony database for public strategies, options and IRA support.
Quantly: Alpaca-connected ($15 paper / $25 pro) - the only platform here with paper trading; per-strategy trade times (9:30 AM - 3:59 PM ET); reference blocks for reusable sub-trees; referral program (5 referrals = free for life); Explore page for public strategies; usable internationally where Alpaca operates; Composer import, Monte Carlo, history to ~1962 for select tickers.
QuantMage: Alpaca-connected; shareable public spell links but no community browse page; low-cost Apprentice tier, Mage tier for live automation; typically trades ~3:50 PM ET; backtests to ~1993 at earliest by ticker.
ExxaHub: $80/mo with API and batch backtesting (~1993 at earliest by ticker), Discover page for public algorithms, typically trades ~3:50 PM ET, Monte Carlo, and daily/overnight rebalancing - but Public brokerage only.
Composer
No-code automated trading with an integrated brokerage and AI-assisted strategy building.
Free to build and backtest; Trading Pass from $32/mo (annual) or $40/mo
- -Investors who want an all-in-one brokerage and strategy platform
- -Users who want AI-assisted strategy generation from natural language
- -Traders who need IRA accounts (Roth, Traditional, Rollover) in-platform
Quantly
This pageVisual workspace for designing, backtesting, and executing quantitative strategies.
Paper from $15/mo, Pro (live trading) from $25/mo
- -Traders who want paper and live automation under one subscription
- -Users migrating from Composer who want symphony import
- -The only platform here with a dedicated paper trading tier for risk-free automated execution
QuantMage
Build spells with visual incantations, backtest quickly, and cast automated trades via Alpaca.
Apprentice from $8-10/mo; automated trading on Mage tier from $400-500/mo
- -Users who want a low-cost entry for strategy design and backtesting
- -International investors where Alpaca supports their region
- -Traders already on Alpaca who like spell/incantation terminology
ExxaHub
No-code algorithm editor with batch backtesting, API access, and automated live trading via Public.
$80/mo for live trading and advanced backtesting
- -Power users who want API-driven backtests and batch testing
- -Traders building many strategy variants at scale
- -Users already on Public who want a no-code algo layer
| Feature | Composer | Quantly | QuantMage | ExxaHub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Visual strategy builder No-code editor for building rule-based strategies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Historical backtesting Test strategies on past market data | History to ~1993 at earliest (varies by ticker) | History to ~1962 for select tickers | History to ~1993 at earliest (varies by ticker) | History to ~1993 at earliest (varies by ticker) |
Paper trading Simulated execution without real capital | No | Yes | No | No |
Live automated trading Deploy strategies with real capital | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Per-strategy trade time When each strategy executes during the market day (ET) | Typically 3:50-3:55 PM ET | Per strategy: 9:30 AM - 3:59 PM ET | Typically 3:50 PM ET | Typically 3:50 PM ET |
Starting subscription price Lowest paid tier for platform access | Free (build only) | $15/mo | $8/mo (annual) or $10/mo | $80/mo |
Automated trading price Lowest tier that includes automated execution | $32/mo (annual billing) or $40/mo | $15/mo (paper) or $25/mo (live) | $400/mo (annual) or $500/mo | $80/mo |
Broker integration How trades are routed and custodied | Integrated Composer brokerage | Bring your own Alpaca account | Alpaca integration | Public only |
Community browse page Discover public strategies shared by other users | Yes (Browse) | Yes (Browse) | No | Yes (Browse) |
Shareable public strategies Share a strategy via a public link | Yes (Example) | Yes (Example) | Yes (Example) | Yes (Example) |
Reference blocks Reusable sub-trees - edit once, update everywhere they appear | No | Yes | No | No |
Referral program Discounts for referring new subscribers | 25% off per referral (both sides); 4 = free for life | 20% off per referral (both sides); 5 = free for life | No | No |
Free tier Build and backtest without a paid subscription | Yes | No | 14-day trial | No |
Composer
Free to build and backtest; Trading Pass from $32/mo (annual) or $40/mo
- Visual strategy builder
- Yes
- Historical backtesting
- History to ~1993 at earliest (varies by ticker)
- Paper trading
- No
- Live automated trading
- Yes
- Per-strategy trade time
- Typically 3:50-3:55 PM ET
- Starting subscription price
- Free (build only)
- Automated trading price
- $32/mo (annual billing) or $40/mo
- Broker integration
- Integrated Composer brokerage
- Community browse page
- Yes (Browse)
- Shareable public strategies
- Yes (Example)
- Reference blocks
- No
- Referral program
- 25% off per referral (both sides); 4 = free for life
- Free tier
- Yes
Quantly
Paper from $15/mo, Pro (live trading) from $25/mo
- Visual strategy builder
- Yes
- Historical backtesting
- History to ~1962 for select tickers
- Paper trading
- Yes
- Live automated trading
- Yes
- Per-strategy trade time
- Per strategy: 9:30 AM - 3:59 PM ET
- Starting subscription price
- $15/mo
- Automated trading price
- $15/mo (paper) or $25/mo (live)
- Broker integration
- Bring your own Alpaca account
- Community browse page
- Yes (Browse)
- Shareable public strategies
- Yes (Example)
- Reference blocks
- Yes
- Referral program
- 20% off per referral (both sides); 5 = free for life
- Free tier
- No
QuantMage
Apprentice from $8-10/mo; automated trading on Mage tier from $400-500/mo
- Visual strategy builder
- Yes
- Historical backtesting
- History to ~1993 at earliest (varies by ticker)
- Paper trading
- No
- Live automated trading
- Yes
- Per-strategy trade time
- Typically 3:50 PM ET
- Starting subscription price
- $8/mo (annual) or $10/mo
- Automated trading price
- $400/mo (annual) or $500/mo
- Broker integration
- Alpaca integration
- Community browse page
- No
- Shareable public strategies
- Yes (Example)
- Reference blocks
- No
- Referral program
- No
- Free tier
- 14-day trial
ExxaHub
$80/mo for live trading and advanced backtesting
- Visual strategy builder
- Yes
- Historical backtesting
- History to ~1993 at earliest (varies by ticker)
- Paper trading
- No
- Live automated trading
- Yes
- Per-strategy trade time
- Typically 3:50 PM ET
- Starting subscription price
- $80/mo
- Automated trading price
- $80/mo
- Broker integration
- Public only
- Community browse page
- Yes (Browse)
- Shareable public strategies
- Yes (Example)
- Reference blocks
- No
- Referral program
- No
- Free tier
- No
Frequently asked questions
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