Tickblaze is a trading platform designed for both manual and automated trading, offering tools for strategy development, backtesting, and automation across stocks, futures, forex, and crypto. It supports Python and C#, integrates with premium data providers like Databento, and includes features like portfolio-level backtesting, 70+ performance metrics, and 18 bar formats. However, it has a steep learning curve and occasional stability issues.
QuantVPS complements Tickblaze by providing ultra-low latency hosting (0.52ms to CME), 99.99% uptime, and infrastructure tailored for automated trading. It’s ideal for running bots or strategies requiring high performance and reliability, with plans starting at $59/month.
Key Takeaways:
- Tickblaze: Advanced strategy tools, multi-asset support, and broker-neutral design. Free for retail traders in the first year but may have bugs.
- QuantVPS: Reliable hosting for automated trading with fast execution speeds and scalable plans. Monthly fees apply.
| Feature | Tickblaze | QuantVPS |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Strategy development and automation | Hosting for automated trading |
| Languages | Python, C# | N/A |
| Cost | Free for 1 year, then annual fees | Starts at $59/month |
| Strengths | Backtesting, data integration | Low latency, high uptime |
| Weaknesses | Learning curve, stability issues | Recurring costs |
Use Tickblaze for strategy development and QuantVPS for hosting live systems. Together, they provide a complete solution for traders needing advanced tools and reliable execution.
Strategy Desktop Overview
1. Tickblaze
Tickblaze supports both C# and Python, making it a powerful choice for traders developing advanced strategies in equities, futures, forex, and crypto markets.
"Tickblaze is a versatile, institutional-grade trading platform designed for discretionary and automated traders. Its hybrid design logically integrates the best of both worlds, providing powerful tools and features for retail traders looking to manage their accounts or get funded by prop firms." – Benzinga
Backtesting Features
Tickblaze stands out with its robust backtesting capabilities, designed to handle multiple strategies across various symbols, exchanges, and time zones. Its Strategy Desktop allows traders to run portfolio-level backtesting quickly and efficiently, even when working with large datasets.
The platform provides over 70 performance metrics, offering detailed breakdowns by year, month, week, and day. It also includes symbol-specific insights for watchlists and portfolios, along with tools for analyzing profit distribution, MAE (Maximum Adverse Excursion), and MFE (Maximum Favorable Excursion).
When it comes to bar formats, Tickblaze supports 18 different types, ranging from standard options like ticks, minutes, and days to specialized formats such as Heikin Ashi, Renko, Kagi, and Bid/Ask bars. Traders can decide whether to load market data into RAM or access it directly from disk during backtesting, ensuring flexibility when working with extensive datasets.
Market Data Access
Tickblaze integrates with top-tier data providers to deliver reliable market data. A key partnership with Databento gives users access to real-time and historical data with nanosecond timestamps and exchange-colocated feeds, catering to equities, futures, and options.
"We sought out Databento because their data infrastructure sets the institutional benchmark. Combined, we offer quant funds a seamless environment for building, testing, and executing portfolio-level strategies – solo or multi-assets." – Sean Kozak, CEO of Tickblaze
The platform supports a wide range of data types, including historical tick data (last, bid, and ask), minute data, daily end-of-day data, fundamentals data, streaming news, and both level 1 and level 2 streaming data. While a single Tickblaze Desktop can maintain one active data connection at a time, users can run multiple Desktops simultaneously, each with its own data source.
In July 2025, Tickblaze expanded its reach by teaming up with SnapTrade, enabling access to equities and crypto markets. This partnership allows users to link brokerage accounts, sync data, and execute trades directly within the platform.
"Rather than integrating with a single broker, we partnered with SnapTrade to unlock the full retail landscape. This enables our users to trade with the broker of their choice while benefiting from our superior technology." – Sean Kozak, CEO of Tickblaze
These integrations feed directly into the platform’s advanced automation tools, streamlining the trading experience.
Automation Tools
Tickblaze simplifies automated trading through its Strategy Desktop and scripting tools. Advanced users can write custom scripts in Python or C#, while those who prefer a no-code approach can use the Strategy Wizard for a visual, drag-and-drop interface.
The platform supports multi-strategy, multi-symbol, and multi-asset trading, offering both flexibility and scalability. For traders looking to refine their strategies, Tickblaze includes portfolio optimization tools with pre-built algorithms and goals. Features like walk-forward optimization, heat maps, and 3D optimization graphs help fine-tune strategies before they are deployed in live markets.
Additionally, the Tickblaze Marketplace provides access to algorithmic trading tools, automated strategies, and educational resources. Traders can also join a peer-to-peer community to share scripts, strategies, and open-source resources, fostering collaboration and idea-sharing.
Hosting and Infrastructure
Tickblaze’s automated systems and low-latency trading depend on a strong hosting setup. The platform’s infrastructure is designed to process large datasets and execute strategies across multiple markets simultaneously, ensuring consistent performance even under challenging market conditions.
This combination of advanced features and reliable hosting creates a solid foundation for systematic trading, whether for individual retail traders or larger institutional operations. The platform’s seamless integration with QuantVPS ensures minimal latency and dependable uptime, critical for maintaining an edge in fast-moving markets.
2. QuantVPS
QuantVPS works hand-in-hand with Tickblaze’s advanced tools to deliver the high-performance hosting environment needed for effective backtesting and automated trading. By focusing on hosting solutions designed to enhance Tickblaze’s performance, QuantVPS creates an ideal setup for processing large datasets, running backtests, and executing automated trading strategies without interruptions.
Hosting and Infrastructure
QuantVPS operates from a Chicago-based datacenter with direct connectivity to the CME exchange, achieving ultra-low latency of less than 0.52 milliseconds. This is made possible by using cutting-edge hardware, including AMD EPYC processors, DDR4/5 RAM, and NVMe M.2 SSD storage, all running on a pre-configured Windows Server 2022 platform. Add a 1Gbps network (with bursts up to 10Gbps) and a 99.999% uptime guarantee, and you have a setup built to handle even the most demanding market conditions.
This ultra-fast infrastructure is particularly beneficial for Tickblaze users who rely on detailed backtesting. The reduced latency ensures quick access to large historical datasets, making the backtesting process smoother and more efficient.
"Our Chicago datacenter provides ultra-low latency (<0.52ms) directly to the CME exchange, enabling faster futures trade execution and significantly minimizing slippage." – QuantVPS
Market Data Access
QuantVPS supports major futures data providers like Rithmic and CQG, ensuring that users have access to high-quality market data. This is essential for accurate backtesting and strategy development. The powerful hardware is designed to process extensive historical data quickly, helping traders refine their strategies with precision. As of July 17, 2025, QuantVPS servers handle over $14.5 billion in daily futures trades, thanks to their low-latency performance.
This seamless integration with Tickblaze allows traders to make the most of their data-driven strategies, ensuring they can act quickly and efficiently in dynamic markets.
Automation Tools
QuantVPS takes Tickblaze’s automation features to the next level by offering 24/7 availability on a highly reliable infrastructure. Traders can run automated trading bots around the clock, with the assurance that the platform’s stability will keep strategies running smoothly.
"Install automated trading bots on your dedicated QuantVPS server for uninterrupted 24/7 execution, regardless of your home setup." – QuantVPS
QuantVPS also incorporates enterprise-grade security measures, such as DDoS protection and advanced firewalls, to safeguard trading operations. Remote management tools make it easy for users to monitor and tweak their Tickblaze strategies from anywhere, ensuring they stay in control at all times.
| QuantVPS Plan | Monthly Cost | Cores | RAM | Storage | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPS Lite | $59.00 | 4 | 8GB | 70GB | 1-2 charts |
| VPS Pro | $99.00 | 6 | 16GB | 150GB | 3-5 charts |
| VPS Ultra | $199.00 | 24 | 64GB | 500GB | 5-7 charts |
QuantVPS has earned a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot, with users frequently praising its reliability and performance for automated trading. For example, in February 2025, Eric Gonzalez shared that he successfully ran multiple Interactive Brokers strategies with different risk profiles on QuantVPS without any issues. This feedback reflects the platform’s ability to meet the needs of serious traders.
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Advantages and Disadvantages
Let’s break down the strengths and challenges of these platforms to better understand their offerings for traders.
| Platform | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Tickblaze | • Hybrid design: Seamlessly supports both manual and automated trading • Multi-asset support: Enables trading across stocks, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies • Data integration: Provides access to premium data sources like DXFeed and Rithmic • Industry recognition: Won Best Automated Trading Software at the Benzinga Fintech Awards |
• Steep learning curve: Beginners may find it challenging to learn • Stability issues: Some users report bugs and performance instability • Technical demands: Occasional need for reinstallation due to lagging • Maintenance fees: Annual charges apply after the first free year |
| QuantVPS | • Low latency: Achieves speeds as fast as 0.5ms to CME Group servers • High uptime: Offers a 99.99% reliability guarantee • Market-focused: Tailored specifically for financial trading • Continuous monitoring: Operates with 24/7 oversight for stability • Flexible pricing: Starts at $59/month, with a 20% discount for annual billing • Performance boost: Claims a 400% speed improvement over AWS for high-frequency trading |
• Recurring costs: Monthly fees range from $59 to $299, depending on the plan |
Cost Considerations for U.S. Traders
Tickblaze offers a free first year for retail traders, which can be appealing for those starting out. On the other hand, QuantVPS follows a subscription model, beginning at $59 per month. Over a year, this amounts to $708 for the basic plan, with higher-tier options costing more. However, traders can reduce costs with a 20% discount by using the code "AFF20" for annual billing.
Usability and Performance Trade-offs
Tickblaze stands out for its hybrid approach, which combines manual and automated trading in one platform. It also integrates institutional-grade data sources like Databento and offers broker connectivity through SnapTrade, creating a robust trading ecosystem. However, some users have encountered technical hiccups. For example, one trader reported reinstalling the platform five times due to lag in May 2025. Stephen T Bashaw shared his frustration:
"Tickblaze platform is unstable. I reported a bug over a month ago that renders the platform useless for trading. It happened again today, and when I now try to sign in I still get an error message."
- Stephen T Bashaw
QuantVPS, in contrast, provides a more stable performance environment with its dedicated infrastructure. According to user reports, 78% experienced faster execution speeds after switching from general VPS providers. Its servers, positioned near major financial hubs like New York, London, and Tokyo, ensure quick trade execution and consistent performance, backed by 24/7 monitoring.
Flexibility and Scalability
Tickblaze excels in flexibility, offering support for various asset classes and programming languages. Its marketplace allows traders to enhance functionality with third-party tools and indicators, much like an app store. This customization ensures traders aren’t locked into a single ecosystem.
QuantVPS, on the other hand, provides scalability through tiered hosting plans. Traders can start with basic setups suitable for 1-2 charts and scale up to dedicated servers that handle 7+ charts and multiple monitors as their needs grow. This adaptability makes it easier for traders to expand their operations without switching platforms, offering a smooth path for growth.
These factors highlight the trade-offs traders need to weigh when choosing the right tools for their trading strategies and infrastructure.
Final Assessment
Pick Tickblaze for a full-featured strategy development platform and QuantVPS for dependable, high-performance execution.
Tickblaze offers a versatile trading solution that supports both manual and automated trading across stocks, futures, forex, and crypto. Its broker-neutral design, combined with free real-time Level 1 and Level 2 market data, adds tremendous value. As Benzinga highlights, the platform’s dual-language support for C# and Python caters to a wide range of traders and developers.
"Tickblaze is built to meet the needs of modern traders, offering the power and simplicity required to stay competitive." – Sean Kozak, CEO of Tickblaze
QuantVPS, on the other hand, delivers hosting infrastructure tailored for trading. With its Chicago-based datacenter and focus on trading-specific needs, it ensures consistent performance and reliability for automated strategies that demand low latency and high uptime.
Recommended Use Cases
Here’s how each platform aligns with different trading needs:
Tickblaze is ideal if you:
- Require advanced strategy development and backtesting tools.
- Trade across multiple asset classes.
- Want both manual and automated trading options.
- Appreciate a community-driven environment for sharing strategies and learning.
- Prefer a platform that includes market data, eliminating the need for separate subscriptions.
QuantVPS is the right choice if you:
- Operate automated trading systems that need ultra-low latency.
- Depend on guaranteed uptime for uninterrupted trading.
- Already have trading software and need reliable hosting.
- Focus on high-frequency strategies where every millisecond counts.
- Need scalable hosting solutions to match your trading growth.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Cost is another important factor when deciding between these platforms.
Tickblaze is free for retail traders, making it an excellent option for those learning or testing strategies. The inclusion of market data further reduces expenses by removing the need for additional data subscriptions.
QuantVPS starts at $59 per month, with pricing tiers that allow you to scale from basic setups to dedicated servers as your trading needs grow.
The Bottom Line
Your choice ultimately depends on what you prioritize: a comprehensive trading platform or specialized hosting for execution. Many traders may benefit from leveraging both – using Tickblaze for strategy development and backtesting, while relying on QuantVPS for live execution where performance is critical.
It comes down to whether you need an all-in-one trading solution or robust hosting to support your existing trading tools.
FAQs
What makes Tickblaze a strong choice for both manual and automated trading?
Tickblaze offers a dynamic platform that combines manual trading with automated strategies, giving traders flexibility in how they approach the markets. With its multi-asset backtesting capabilities, users can rigorously test strategies across different asset classes, ensuring they perform effectively under various conditions. The platform also delivers real-time market data to keep traders well-informed and includes advanced automation tools that help simplify trading workflows. These features make Tickblaze an efficient tool for traders aiming to refine and enhance their trading strategies.
How does QuantVPS improve the performance of automated trading strategies with Tickblaze?
QuantVPS enhances the efficiency of automated trading strategies when used alongside Tickblaze by delivering high-speed virtual private servers. These servers are fine-tuned for low latency, which means trades are executed faster and with greater precision – essential for achieving success in systematic trading.
On top of that, QuantVPS ensures consistent and dependable connectivity, minimizing the chances of interruptions that could disrupt trading operations. With its blend of speed, reliability, and performance, QuantVPS is a perfect match for traders utilizing Tickblaze’s sophisticated automation and backtesting tools.
What factors should traders consider when deciding between Tickblaze and QuantVPS for their trading setup?
When deciding between Tickblaze and QuantVPS, it’s important to weigh factors like performance, reliability, automation features, and data integration. Tickblaze shines with its powerful multi-asset backtesting tools and advanced trading capabilities, making it a strong choice for traders focused on systematic strategy development. On the other hand, QuantVPS excels in offering tailored VPS solutions that boost trading performance and support smooth automation.
Think about what matters most for your trading – whether it’s cutting-edge strategy testing or a dependable setup for automated trading – and choose the platform that best suits your objectives.
