# Backtrader: pricing, API and features

Category: [Trading bots & backtesting](https://tokvane.app/categories/trading-bots) · Vendor: Backtrader (open-source project, mementum) · Website: https://www.backtrader.com · Status: unknown

Open-source Python backtesting and live-trading framework with indicators, analyzers and a broker simulator; the GitHub repo is not archived but its last push was in August 2024.

> Backtrader (Backtrader (open-source project, mementum)) — pricing: open-source; free tier: Yes; REST: No; MCP: unknown; open source: Yes.

## Pricing

- **Model:** open-source
- **Free tier:** Yes — Free software installed with pip; self-run.
- **Plans:** unknown
- **Notes:** GitHub API on 2026-10-30: archived=false, last push 2024-08-19.

_Verified on 2026-10-30. Source: https://github.com/mementum/backtrader_

## Access & auth

- **Authentication:** none
- **KYC required:** No
- **Notes:** Local Python library; no account needed. Live trading uses the user's own broker accounts.

_Verified on 2026-10-30. Source: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mementum/backtrader/master/README.rst_

## Coverage

- **Exchanges:** README lists live feeds/trading for Interactive Brokers, Visual Chart and Oanda; no crypto exchange named
- **Chains:** unknown
- **Assets:** Data from CSV/files, online sources, pandas and blaze

_Verified on 2026-10-30. Source: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mementum/backtrader/master/README.rst_

## Capabilities

- **Capabilities:** backtesting, live-trading, charting, order-execution

_Verified on 2026-10-30. Source: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mementum/backtrader/master/README.rst_

## Interfaces

- **REST API:** No
- **WebSocket:** No
- **SDKs:** python
- **Official MCP server:** unknown
- **Other:** Python library (pip install backtrader); matplotlib plotting; 122 built-in indicators per README

_Verified on 2026-10-30. Source: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mementum/backtrader/master/README.rst_

## Open source & self-hosting

- **Open source:** Yes
- **Licence:** GPL-3.0
- **Self-host:** Yes
- **Repository:** https://github.com/mementum/backtrader

_Verified on 2026-10-30. Source: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mementum/backtrader/master/LICENSE_

## FAQ

**Does Backtrader have a free tier?**
Yes. Free software installed with pip; self-run. (verified 2026-10-30)

**Does Backtrader offer an API?**
REST: No. WebSocket: No. Official MCP server: unknown. Verified 2026-10-30.

**Is Backtrader open source or self-hostable?**
Open source: Yes; licence: GPL-3.0; self-host: Yes. Verified 2026-10-30.

**What are alternatives to Backtrader?**
Other trading bots & backtesting in our directory: 3Commas, ADAMANT TradeBot, AI Hedge Fund Crypto, Alertatron, Algobot.

Alternatives: https://tokvane.app/alternatives/backtrader

Information only, not financial or investment advice.