Your Forex Broker and Your Charting Package Are TWO Different Things

These are TWO distinct subjects.

* Forex Broker (who handles your transactions and keeps a record of them)
* Charting Package (a tool that fits your personality)

Okay, here's a radical idea: you DON'T have to use your forex broker's charts. Radical maybe a stretch but from what we gathered most people use (atleast for the lack of creativity) the broker's charting package. Between your broker and charting package - your broker would be the first one you'd boot (let go) - then your charting package. Yes! its important to have a reliable broker - who has enough NET assets that allows the brokerage to liquidate your account easily. However, your charting package is the "DECISION MAKER" - you make your decisions based on what the charts are showing you and your ability to read them correctly. It is VERY important to get a charting package - which has atleast a few of the following:

1. Tools that you know you need (will use).

2. Tools that you MIGHT want to use in your back-testing

3. Tools that generate "alerts" when needed - for example, you might have drawn what you think is an IMPORTANT support or resistance on the chart - what good is it gonna do you - if it doesn't "ring a bell" when the market hits that price? - maybe your in the other room - or maybe you on the same computer reading an interesting article about Obama vs McCain (?) - shouldn't your charting package "alert" you of a moving market?

4. I personally would prefer a package that would alert me a few PIPS - BEFORE my support or resistance is hit - either it can make noise on my computer or send me a text message - so far, I am yet to realize this joy in my life.

5. You also need a charting package that doesn't use much of your computer's resource - who wants something that freezes up your computer every now & then?

6. Last but not the least - you will need something that you "enjoy" or atleast "tolerate" looking at - that's only achievable if the charting package allows you to change backgrounds, candlestick colors, trendline, channel colors etc..

Prepare a list of "what my charting package SHOULD be" - and then compare it with what's available. Take them for a test drive - almost all of the package subscriptions can be taken for a test drive - just make sure to cancel them (if you don't like it) Forex Brokers on the other hand - the only test drive you can do - is use their demo accounts - and "feel" their trading platform and execution. And its also good advice to demo your broker's platform before signing up. All the best in your setup.