Tapeboard vs Chartlog — Trading Journal With Real-Time Data Built In
// Chartlog is a lean, modern trade journal with one of the cleanest UIs in the category and no market data layer. Tapeboard couples the journal with a full real-time terminal, scanner, and paper-trading simulator at the same monthly price tier.
// USE TAPEBOARD if you want journal plus live market data plus a paper-trading sim that auto-logs fills, in a single tab at the same monthly price.
| capability | tapeboard | chartlog |
|---|---|---|
| Trade journal UX | Clean journal panel inside a multi-module terminal | Single-purpose lean UI — category-leading for pure-journal use |
| Broker auto-import coverage | CSV import; Schwab direct on roadmap | US + European broker coverage — wider European set than Tapeboard |
| Auto-log from paper trading | Every paper-sim fill writes a journal entry natively | Not applicable — Chartlog has no sim |
| Live market data + scanner | Streaming quotes, 8+ scanner presets, Level 2 | Not a focus |
| Paper-trading simulator with L2 fills | Walks live Level 2 book, SSR + LULD + borrow modeled | Not included |
| Equities journal analytics | Win rate, profit factor, expectancy, R-multiple, equity curve | Comparable for equities |
| Futures-specific journal analytics | Equities-focused; futures tagging supported but no specialized analytics | Deeper analytics for pure futures traders — point values, tick sizes, contract rolls |
| Methodology disclosure pages | /methodology/r-multiple, /methodology/journal-autolog published | Not published |
| Free tier | $0 indefinite, no card | Free tier limited to recent trades; paid tier required for full history |
- // You want live market data and a scanner on the same screen as the journal — Chartlog is journal-only.
- // You paper-trade and want auto-log into the journal without a manual CSV step.
- // You want a permanent free tier that covers indefinite manual entry — Chartlog's free tier limits history.
- // You want disclosed methodology — full trade journal feature breakdown at https://tapeboard.com/trade-journal.
- // You only need a journal and want the cleanest UI in the category — Chartlog's pure-journal UX is harder to beat than Tapeboard's multi-module terminal for that single workflow.
- // You trade through a European broker — Chartlog's European coverage is wider than Tapeboard's today.
- // You're a pure futures trader — Chartlog's contract-aware analytics beat Tapeboard's equities-first model on futures-specific metrics.
- // You don't want a terminal, scanner, or sim — Chartlog gives you only the journal, and that minimalism is a feature.
// Does Chartlog have a paper trading simulator?
No. Chartlog is journal-only. Tapeboard's simulator walks a Schwab Level 2 book, enforces SSR and LULD, and applies real IBKR borrow rates on shorts. Every fill auto-logs into the journal — full breakdown at https://tapeboard.com/paper-trading-simulator.
// Is Chartlog better for futures traders than Tapeboard?
For pure futures journaling, yes. Chartlog's analytics handle contract rolls, point values, and tick sizes more cleanly than Tapeboard's equities-first model. Tapeboard supports futures tagging but the analytics are not contract-specialized.
// What does Tapeboard add that a pure journal like Chartlog doesn't?
Live market data, a real-time scanner with 8+ presets, Level 2 order book, candlestick charts with 50+ indicators, a paper-trading simulator that walks a Schwab L2 book, and SEC EDGAR filings with AI summaries — all in the same tab as the journal. Full feature breakdown at https://tapeboard.com/trade-journal.
// Is Tapeboard's free tier permanent like Chartlog's?
Tapeboard's free tier is permanent and covers manual journal entry indefinitely with no credit card required. Chartlog's free tier limits trade history beyond a certain window — paid tier is required for full archive.
// Where is the R-multiple math documented?
Full derivation including the long/short formula and stop-priority logic is at https://tapeboard.com/methodology/r-multiple. The journal capture path is documented at https://tapeboard.com/methodology/journal-autolog.
// see how Tapeboard stacks up against other terminals:
// or compare Tapeboard against full platforms and terminals:
// the /alternatives hub indexes all 24 Tapeboard comparisons in one place.
One screen. Every market. No $2,000/mo bill.
// 28 sec to first scanner · no card · cancel anytime
Start free View pricing