Hi-- Can anyone recommend low-cost or freebie platforms or websites that I can use for simple paper-trading of options? They don't have to be fancy, just easy to use and hassle-free. Thanks!
Thanks, electron! I'd heard of both OptionsXpress and OptionVue but didn't know whether they have simple (not-flashy) stuff for me. I tend to get distracted by bells and whistles, so I'm trying to avoid fancy platforms right now.
You can get real time option quotes at CBOE for just a few dollars a month. Not sure if they have a simulator.
Electron: yep, optionsxpress looks perfect for my current needs. I especially like the no fees policy, which effectively makes the service free for what I intend to use it for. Thanks, easyrider, for the tip--I just checked out their website and saw something called the Options Toolbox. It says it's got "Simulated Position Analysis," which may be exactly what I'm looking for, though there's not much detail like screenshots, etc. Figure I'll give it a try to see what it's like. Their site doesn't say much more than to download a trial.
you dont happend to have a URL for that? Actually, while we at it - does anyone know of a service that provides a cheap demo account that allows to trade CBOE or CBOT instruments (CBOT would be better)? Or, may-be LIFFE or TIFFE demo account? My significant other has been looking for such a thing for a while.
Looks like the CBOE's Options Toolbox is educational material only. The simulations therein are part of a pre-programmed tutorial. I'll check out the optionscentral CD to see what it does--thanks, vhehn!
You have to set up an account with them, though, I think...but that apparently doesn't require funding it. Unless I missed something?