AmiBroker vs VectorBT (2026)
AmiBroker (windows desktop platform for high-speed portfolio backtesting in the afl language) and VectorBT (high-speed vectorized python backtesting library with a free core and paid pro tier) solve backtesting differently. The table below compares them on verified specs and pricing; full details are in each review.
Side by side
| AmiBroker | VectorBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.8 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 |
| Engine type | hybrid | vectorized |
| Pricing model | one-time | freemium |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $0 | $0 |
| Languages | AFL (AmiBroker Formula Language), C++ (plugin ADK), JScript/VBScript (OLE automation) | Python |
| Asset classes | stocks, ETFs, futures, forex, mutual funds, crypto (via imported data) | stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, futures, any OHLCV/tick time series |
| Bundled data | No market data is bundled. The AmiQuote companion app (included in the Ultimate Pack, $99 standalone) downloads free EOD data from Yahoo Finance and Stooq, plus limited free intraday from Barchart OnDemand. Paid sources (Tiingo, eSignal, IQFeed, Norgate, Interactive Brokers) plug in when you need higher quality. | None bundled. You bring your own data: the open-source version ships a yfinance wrapper, while PRO adds unified connectors for CCXT exchanges (Binance, Bybit, KuCoin, Bitfinex), Alpaca, Interactive Brokers, Polygon.io, TradingView, Databento, Alpha Vantage, Nasdaq Data Link, plus local CSV/HDF5/Parquet/Feather and ArcticDB/DuckDB/PostgreSQL storage. |
| Finest resolution | tick (Professional edition, with a tick-capable feed such as eSignal or Interactive Brokers); Standard edition is limited to minute bars | tick |
| Live trading | Yes | No |
| Options support | No | No |
| Open source | No | Yes |
AmiBroker
Windows desktop platform for high-speed portfolio backtesting in the AFL language
VectorBT
High-speed vectorized Python backtesting library with a free core and paid PRO tier
Frequently asked questions
Is AmiBroker better than VectorBT?+
They target different users. AmiBroker: systematic eod and swing traders on windows who want the fastest affordable portfolio-level backtesting and optimization, own their data pipeline, and don't need turnkey live execution or options modeling. VectorBT: python-fluent retail quants who want to screen thousands of strategy variants fast, and who will trade a hard learning curve and diy execution for near-c research speed. Our scores: AmiBroker 7.8/10, VectorBT 7.8/10.
Which is cheaper, AmiBroker or VectorBT?+
AmiBroker entry pricing: $0 (one-time). VectorBT: $0 (freemium). See each review for full verified pricing tables.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Specs and prices come from each platform's official pages; see the individual reviews for sources and last-verified dates.