Best Free Trading Journal for 2025 – Track, Backtest & Improve your Trading

Imagine the energy of a trading floor—the numbers, the pressure, the thrill of a win after weeks of effort (and, let’s be honest, the heartbreak of the occasional “what was I thinking?” trade). Every trader wants profit, but discipline, data, and insight are what keep you from turning your trading account into a donation box. That’s why a trading journal is essential: by tracking trades, emotions, and results—even the ones you’d rather forget—you get the clarity needed to turn hard lessons into consistent wins.

In the fast-paced world of stocks, forex, commodities, and global markets, instinct alone isn’t enough (unless your gut has a PhD in statistics). To navigate these complexities, you need clarity and insight. Specifically, you need to know:

• What trades are actually working for you
• Where are you losing money?
• Which strategies deserve more focus
• And how to stay consistent in an often unpredictable market

A well-designed journal offers answers to these questions. Not only does it track your progress, but it also becomes your personal growth tracker, your mirror, and your map forward.

---

---

With the value of journaling clear, the real challenge is finding a tool that’s actually worth using. Plenty claim to be the “best free trading journal”—but can they deliver without hidden fees, clunky interfaces, or features that disappear faster than a profitable trend? That’s what we set out to explore.

In this blog, we’re going to walk you through:

• How we selected the tools to review (we’ll cover criteria in detail)
• A clear comparison of the top free and freemium journals in the market
• A detailed look at each of them, with what they do well and where they fall short
• And finally, our honest verdict on which one truly stands out for traders who want power and simplicity

You need a journal that’s effective, easy to use, and free of hidden costs—the kind of tool that helps you turn trading experience into real insight (and maybe gives you one less thing to stress about on Mondays).

---

Choosing a trading journal isn’t about fancy features. It’s about finding one that improves your trading and fits your habits seamlessly.

When we started comparing different trading journals, we focused on what really matters for day-to-day use. Here’s what to look for (and maybe what to avoid if you like your sanity):

1. Ease of Use

If logging a trade takes longer than placing one, you probably won’t keep up with it. A good journal should be clean, easy to use, and quick to update, no matter your experience level.

2. Import Options (All Markets)

Manually typing hundreds of trades? That’s old school. With CSV import, you can track stocks, forex, crypto—you name it—from any broker or platform, all in one place. If your journal can use AI to detect layouts automatically, even better. It saves time, prevents mistakes, and means you never have to worry about whether your favorite market is supported. It’s basically the VIP pass to trade journaling.

3. Analytics and Insights

Numbers tell the truth. Your journal should clearly show your win rate, risk-reward ratio, and performance trends over time. Simple charts and data visualization can turn confusion into clarity.

4. Backtesting and Replay

You should be able to test your strategy on past data to see what works before risking real money. Journals with built-in backtesting tools help you refine your edge safely.

5. Data Privacy and Security

You’re uploading real trade data, which is personal and valuable. Always choose a platform that protects your privacy and keeps your data safe with strong encryption and secure storage.

6. True Free Access

“Free” shouldn’t mean limited demo. A great free trading journal should let you actually use its features without paywalls, trial limits, or hidden costs.

7. Innovation and AI Integration

AI is changing how traders work. Features like natural-language logging (“I bought Apple at 180, sold at 185”) or smart trade tagging can make journaling feel effortless—or at least, a lot less like doing taxes.

In the end, the best trading journal is the one that fits smoothly into your routine. It should be simple, insightful, and reliable. If it makes you reflect, improve, and trade more confidently, then you’ve found the right one. And hey, if it helps you sleep better at night, that’s a win too.

---

---

1. Traders Journal — Free, Friendly, and Seriously Smart

Traders Journal keeps things simple and free. It’s built for traders who want smart features without the headache—track, analyze, and even backtest your trades, all without paying (or pulling your hair out).

Key Features:

• Easy CSV import—upload your trades and let AI handle the details.
• Live market simulation and backtesting for when you want to see if your brilliant idea works before risking real money.
• Log trades in plain English—type what you did, like you’re texting a friend.
• Analytics that actually make sense: spot risks, see your profit/loss calendar, and get mistake heatmaps (because nobody’s perfect).
• Truly free—unlimited trade logs, unlimited screenshots, unlimited second chances.

Pros:

• Super clean, intuitive design. No instruction manual needed.
• Actually free. No paywalls, no gotchas.
• AI import and chat-style logging mean less time typing, more time trading.
• Analytics and live backtesting—at the unbeatable price of zero.

Cons:

• No Broker Sync.
• Community and learning resources are on the way.

If you want a powerful, truly free journal with smart features, this is the one—easy for beginners, deep enough for pros, and no surprise bills at the end of the month. What’s not to love?

---

2. TradesViz — Deep-Dive Analytics for Data Fans

Overview: TradesViz is packed with features for traders who love crunching numbers and exploring every detail of their performance. It’s a data playground, but new users might feel like they’ve wandered into a financial control room, and it has a hidden paywall.

Key Features:

• 600+ statistics and advanced chart widgets.
• AI-powered Q&A and daily trading insights.
• Auto-sync and import support from 200 + brokers.
• Condition-based trade tester and replay tools.
• Custom dashboards with tags, heatmaps & filters.

Pros:

• Unmatched analytics and visuals
• Works with nearly every market and broker
• AI features for smarter insights
• Solid privacy—your data stays put

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Free plan only covers stocks and 3,000 trades/month
• Full power means opening your wallet

Perfect for data junkies and pros who want to slice and dice every trade—and don’t mind a little complexity (or a subscription fee) along the way. So it’s not free.

---

3. UltraTrader — Syncs with Your Broker, Plays Nice with Paper Trading

Overview: UltraTrader is a one-stop shop: trading journal, portfolio tracker, and simulated trading platform all rolled into one. It looks sharp, works in the cloud, and is perfect if you want your trades to appear from your broker magically—no manual typing marathons required, but these features are hidden behind the paywall.

Key Features:

• Automatic trade sync with 9 + brokers.
• Manual CSV and file import.
• Basic analytics: investment tracker, price alerts, performance metrics.
• Paper-trading mode for strategy testing.
• Encrypted read-only broker connections.

Pros:+ Automatic broker sync saves you serious time

• Paper-trading lets you experiment risk-free
• Secure, cloud-based, and easy on the eyes

Cons:

• The free plan is limited to deep analytics or any features you want.
• No Backtesting Option
• Analytics aren’t as geeky as TradesViz or TradersJournal

Great for anyone who loves hands-off trade logging and simple tracking. Free tier is handy but feels a little cramped; you’ll get the most out of UltraTrader if you don’t mind unlocking paid features.

---

4. Stonk Journal — Minimal, Honest, and Actually Free

Overview: Stonk Journal is as pure as it gets—no ads, no subscriptions, no sneaky data selling. It’s all about manual trade entry and keeping things simple. If you’re looking to jot down trades and reflect, this one’s as lightweight as your morning coffee.

Key Features:

• Simple trade entry with custom notes, tags, and even confidence levels (for those days when you’re feeling bold… or not).
• Basic performance reports and summaries—no frills, just the essentials.
• 100% free and anonymous—no signup, no strings attached.

Pros:

• Completely free, forever.
• Fast, minimal interface—won’t slow you down.
• Privacy-focused; your data stays yours.

Cons:

• No import or backtesting support
• Limited analytics and no AI features—just you and your trades

Perfect for casual or beginner traders who want a private, distraction-free way to log trades—no tech headaches, just the basics.

---

5. Notion Trading Journal Template — Customizable but Manual

Overview: Notion templates are super flexible—perfect for traders who love building custom spreadsheets and dashboards. No broker connections here, but you get to design your workflow exactly how you like it.

Key Features:

• Daily trade journal and manual performance tracker—great for those who like to roll up their sleeves.
• Built-in P/L calculations and risk ratios—so you don’t have to do the math yourself (unless you want to).
• Syncs with your Notion workspace so that you can access your journal anywhere—on your laptop, phone, or even your friend’s tablet.
• Protected by Notion’s enterprise-grade security (so your trading secrets are safe, even from your cat).

Pros:

• Fully customizable—make it as simple or detailed as you like.
• Free and accessible on any device—work from anywhere.
• Highly secure through Notion’s cloud—your privacy is covered.

Cons:

• Manual entry only; no automation or imports—think of it as a workout for your typing fingers.
• No backtesting or AI features—just plain old journaling.

Great for traders who love DIY data and don’t mind getting hands-on. It’s simple, secure, and flexible—just be ready to do the heavy lifting yourself.

---

Let’s be honest: in the trading world, “free” gets tossed around more than a hot stock tip. But every trader learns quickly—if a tool limits your growth, you’re going to pay for it one way or another.

A lot of platforms wave the “free” flag, but hide the good stuff behind paywalls, cap your imports, or tempt you with backtesting as a “premium” treat (like the dessert menu nobody ever gets to order from).

After running these journals through their paces, only a handful actually deliver on their promises:

• Stonk Journal is truly free—no catches, but also no frills. It’s just you, your trades, and a lot of manual effort.
• Notion templates are free to use and endlessly customizable, but you’re signing up for a serious DIY project. It’s more “spreadsheet adventure” than modern trading journal.
• Then there’s TradersJournal.app, which actually delivers: everything essential—journaling, analytics, backtesting, and AI-powered imports—is genuinely free. No forced upgrades, no sneaky data caps, no ads, and no credit-card traps. It’s not just another freemium tool; it’s built on the idea that discipline and learning should be free for everyone (and your credit card can take the day off).