TradeSmith Reviews: Are TradeStops + Trade360 Legit?

TradeSmith is a company that offers tools for investment research and portfolio management designed to make investing easier. But is it worth the cost ($299 for a Basic account), and will the service make you a more informed investor?

The truth is that most TradeSmith reviews (including this one) paint a mixed picture. 

Why? Below, I’ll explore the service, its many offerings, and why I’m hesitant to recommend it. However, I’ll also offer examples of worthy alternatives that I do feel comfortable recommending.

What is TradeSmith?

TradeSmith was founded in 2011 by one Dr. Richard Smith, who wanted to take the stress out of investing. To do that, he created tools like the Volatility Quotient (VQ), which helps people understand how risky a stock is and when they might want to sell. The company grew from there, adding more products to help investors keep their portfolios on track.

In 2020, TradeSmith was reportedly sold to a financial publisher whose name wasn’t made public. Even with new ownership, TradeSmith has continued to build its lineup of tools, aiming to make investing more achievable for everyone.

TradeSmith: Detailed Examination of Key Products

TradeSmith offers a range of tools designed to meet the needs of different types of investors, from beginners to seasoned pros. Let’s take a look at the key products they provide, breaking down what each one does, how it works, and whether it’s worth the investment:

TradeStops

• TradeStops cost:  TradeStops offers multiple subscription tiers:
• Basic: $299 
• Plus: $599
• Premium: $999
• Pro: $3,000

Here’s the difference between each plan: 

TradeStops is a risk management platform designed to help investors make smarter decisions about when to buy, hold, or sell stocks. Instead of relying on emotions or guesswork, it uses advanced algorithms like the Volatility Quotient (VQ) and Stock State Indicator (SSI) to track stock performance and set data-driven trailing stop-loss levels. 

The higher-priced premium and pro plans include advanced features like:

• Portfolio Volatility Analyzer 
• Risk Rebalancer  
• Position Risk Equalizer 
• Asset Allocation Calculator  
• The Billionaires’ Club 
• Pure Quant Portfolio Builder

Overall, the goal for all plans is to help users maximize their gains while minimizing unnecessary losses.

Key features include:

• Volatility Quotient (VQ): The VQ measures a stock’s natural volatility, expressed as a percentage, to help investors set stop-loss levels that aren’t too tight or too loose. This ensures users can ride out minor market fluctuations without selling prematurely, while still having a safety net in case of significant downturns.
• Stock State Indicator (SSI): SSI uses color-coded signals (green, yellow, and red) to show a stock’s status: whether it’s in a “buy,” “hold,” or “sell” condition based on recent performance. This quick visual guide helps investors stay on top of their portfolio at a glance.
• Position Sizing Calculator: This tool helps investors figure out how much of a stock to buy based on their risk tolerance and the VQ. It ensures portfolio balance by considering both potential gains and manageable losses.
• Portfolio Risk Rebalancing: With TradeStops, users can analyze and rebalance their portfolio across one or more accounts to lower overall risk. This feature is particularly helpful for managing multiple portfolios with varying levels of volatility.

Overall, TradeStops is ideal for medium- to long-term investors who want to manage risk while actively tracking their portfolios. It’s particularly helpful for those who are comfortable managing multiple accounts and prefer using data-driven tools to refine their investment strategies. 

Ideas by TradeSmith

Ideas by TradeSmith cost: The price for Ideas is $99 monthly, following an initial thirty-day testing period.

Ideas acts as a complementary tool to TradeStops, offering a way for users to identify promising investments while factoring in risk and volatility.

Users can explore strategies inspired by famous investors, such as “The Best of Billionaires,” or pursue specific goals like value investing or growth-focused strategies.

Here’s what you get:

1. Tailored Investment Ideas: Ideas provides personalized stock and ETF suggestions based on various investment strategies, including growth, value, and dividend investing. For example, users can explore portfolios like “Lower Risk Runners” or “Kinetic VQ,” which group stocks by specific risk levels and market conditions.
2. Market Trends and Risk Snapshots: Ideas breaks down market performance using color-coded risk categories—green (low risk), yellow (medium risk), and red (high risk). These visual insights cover indices, sectors, and individual stocks, helping users quickly gauge market conditions and identify safer opportunities.
3. Doctor Smith’s Lab: This feature organizes stocks into themed portfolios based on strategies like value investing or billionaire-inspired picks. It offers a unique way to explore stocks beyond traditional metrics, using SSIs and VQs to highlight potential winners.
4. Stock Locator: The platform’s stock locator tool allows users to search for assets using parameters like risk level (VQ) or SSI state. This is ideal for investors looking to refine their portfolios or add specific types of stocks based on volatility and risk preferences.

Trade360

Trade360 cost: $5,000 annually

Trade360 is a premium, all-in-one investment platform that combines the best features of TradeStops and Ideas by TradeSmith into a single package.

It’s designed to give investors a complete view of their portfolio’s health, advanced risk management insights, and access to curated investment strategies, making it ideal for those managing larger, more complex portfolios.

Here’s what you get:

1. Integrated Portfolio Management: Trade360 consolidates TradeStops’ risk analysis tools and Ideas’ strategy-driven stock recommendations into one seamless experience. Users gain access to powerful features like Volatility Quotient (VQ) tracking, Stock State Indicators (SSI), and market health indicators for top-down market analysis.
2. Pure Quant Portfolio Builder: This advanced tool uses quantitative analysis to recommend stocks and construct portfolios tailored to individual risk tolerance and financial goals. It simplifies diversification while optimizing for performance.
3. Billionaire’s Club: Modeled after the portfolios of high-profile investors like Warren Buffett, this feature provides insight into the buying, holding, and selling habits of financial giants.
4. Streamlined Insights: With curated strategies from the Ideas Lab and in-depth market analysis tools, Trade360 makes it easier for users to identify opportunities and manage risk without juggling multiple platforms.

Trade360 is ideal for experienced investors and professionals managing large portfolios who need a consolidated, data-driven platform for decision-making. It’s especially useful for those already familiar with TradeStops or Ideas but looking for an upgraded, integrated experience.

At $5,000 annually, it’s TradeSmith’s most premium offering. The price reflects its comprehensive features and is best suited for high-net-worth individuals or serious investors

Crypto by TradeSmith

Crypto by TradeSmith cost: Not Disclosed 

Crypto by TradeSmith is a portfolio management tool designed specifically for cryptocurrency investors. Similar to TradeStops for stocks, this service provides data-driven insights and alerts to help users navigate the crypto market’s notorious volatility. 

By leveraging proprietary health indicators, Crypto by TradeSmith helps investors decide when to buy, sell, or hold their digital assets, ensuring they stay informed and prepared for market shifts.

This tool also allows users to evaluate crypto recommendations from other sources, making it easier to filter through options and select the most promising investments. 

Here’s what you get:

1. Crypto Portfolio Tracking and Alerts: Add your cryptocurrencies to the platform, and Crypto by TradeSmith will monitor them using proprietary risk algorithms. Customizable alerts notify users when a coin’s performance changes, signaling whether it’s time to act or hold steady.
2. Health Indicators for Risk Management: Proprietary health indicators evaluate each crypto asset, providing actionable insights to manage the market’s volatility. This allows users to make informed decisions rather than reacting emotionally to price swings.
3. Filtering Tools: Crypto by TradeSmith simplifies decision-making by allowing users to refine recommendations from newsletters or other sources. This ensures investors focus only on high-potential assets.
4. Advanced Premium Features: The Premium plan includes tools like the Risk Rebalancer, Portfolio Volatility Analyzer, and Pure Quant Portfolio Builder for crypto. These advanced features enable portfolio diversification, optimize risk exposure, and enhance overall investment strategies.

Pricing for Crypto by TradeSmith is not disclosed on the website and requires contacting a plan specialist at (866) 295-5103. With multiple tiers, such as Plus and Premium, users can select a level that fits their portfolio size and investment goals. 

TradeSmith Investment Report

TradeSmith Investment Report cost: $199

The TradeSmith Investment Report is a research-driven newsletter designed to help readers grow their wealth by identifying and owning top-performing stocks within major market trends. 

Led by Jason Bodner, this report uses a proprietary quantitative analysis system that has demonstrated the ability to beat the market 7-to-1 in back-tests.

By focusing on stocks with strong fundamentals, robust technical performance, and significant “Big Money” inflows, the report aims to spotlight market leaders poised for long-term growth.

The report not only provides stock recommendations but also educates subscribers on the driving forces behind each pick.

Here’s everything you get:

1. Stock Recommendations for Leading Trends: Subscribers receive detailed analyses of the best stocks aligned with the world’s most powerful trends, such as advancements in technology, shifts in consumer behavior, and industry innovations.
2. Quantitative Analysis System: Jason Bodner’s proprietary system identifies stocks with the highest potential by evaluating key metrics like fundamentals, technical indicators, and money flow patterns. This systematic approach minimizes guesswork and enhances the probability of selecting winners.
3. Actionable Insights and Education: Each report explains why a stock was chosen, detailing its alignment with specific trends and market conditions. This not only helps subscribers understand the rationale but also equips them with knowledge to make smarter investment decisions.
4. Market Beating Potential: With a 7-to-1 track record in back-tests, the system promises a significant edge over traditional investing strategies. While past performance isn’t a guarantee, the methodology is rooted in data-driven insights.

Other TradeSmith Products 

Here are a few other TradeSmith Products worth being aware of:

• Ratings by TradeSmith: This tool provides a quick sentiment rating for any tracked stock, ranging from Strong Bullish to Strong Bearish, based on a combination of fundamental and technical indicators. It’s a great way to build confidence in potential investments.
• Trade Cycles by TradeSmith: Highlights entry and exit opportunities using back-tested research to analyze short-, medium-, and long-term patterns. This tool helps optimize the timing of your investment decisions.
• Options360: A robust platform for options traders, featuring pre-built screeners for profit probability and return on investment. Customizable screeners let users tailor strategies to their unique trading approach.
• Infinite Income Loop: Provides three top monthly income options trade ideas, complete with weekly updates and management tips. The system boasts a 90%+ win rate in its first six months.
• Constant Cash Flow: Subscribers receive daily income-based trade ideas for the entire year, offering 365 opportunities to keep portfolios active and optimized for growth.

TradeSmith Reviews: User Experiences and Reviews

TradeSmith gets mixed feedback across various platforms, with some users praising its powerful tools and customer support … while others express dissatisfaction with pricing and performance.

Here’s a high level overview of both the positive and negative points of TradeSmith reviews:

Positive Experiences:

• On Trustpilot, several users have highlighted excellent customer service, in the form of their patience and thoroughness. 
• Many appreciate how TradeSmith staff helped guide them through setup and troubleshooting. 
• Some also praise TradeStops for its industry-leading features and note the firm’s market-beating results, which contribute to ongoing satisfaction.

Negative Experiences:

• On Reddit, users have expressed concerns about TradeSmith’s marketing tactics, with some claiming that the company’s promises of big returns often fall short, leading to frustration. One user mentioned losing $1,200 after following a recommendation that was later removed from the site.
• Trustpilot also features complaints about the lack of refund options. One reviewer detailed his experience with TradeSmith360, where he was unable to get a refund despite canceling the service early. The company instead offered credits for other products, which he found unsatisfactory.
• Some users criticized the subscription renewal process, with one reviewer noting difficulties canceling auto-renewals and being charged unexpectedly, despite claims of a satisfaction guarantee.

Overall Sentiment:

Many users value the tools TradeSmith provides, particularly for managing complex portfolios and executing options trades. But there’s a significant number of complaints related to customer service, cancellations, and the effectiveness of some products.

It’s clear that TradeSmith is a powerful platform for those who are experienced and committed to learning its systems. But you should know that there could be challenges with customer service and billing.

Is TradeSmith Worth It? 

Whether TradeSmith is worth it depends on your investment style, portfolio size, and comfort level with premium tools. 

For experienced investors willing to invest the time and money, TradeSmith’s suite of tools—like TradeStops for risk management and Trade360 for portfolio analysis—can provide valuable insights. 

But the high costs and mixed reviews suggest it may not be the best choice for everyone, especially casual investors or those with limited budgets.

Here’s a breakdown to help:

Pros	Cons
Comprehensive Tools: Offers a full range of services, including portfolio tracking, risk analysis, and strategy-driven stock recommendations.	High Cost: Premium products like Trade360 cost thousands annually.
Proprietary Algorithms: Features like the Volatility Quotient (VQ) and Stock State Indicator (SSI) provide unique insights for investors.	Mixed Performance: Some users report losses or ineffective recommendations.
Support for Advanced Strategies: Tools like the Pure Quant Portfolio Builder and Billionaire’s Club cater to high-level investors.	Refund Challenges: Complaints about refund policies and auto-renewals are common.
Strong Customer Support: Positive reviews highlight helpful representatives who guide users through setup and troubleshooting.	Learning Curve: The platform’s advanced features may be overwhelming for new or less experienced investors.

Alternatives to Consider

TradeSmith’s premium products cost thousands annually. If you’re looking for high-quality alternatives at a lower price point, consider these services:

1. Zen Investor 

If TradeSmith feels too pricey or complicated, Zen Investor might be a better option for you. Created by Steve Reitmeister, who has over 40 years of experience, Zen Investor takes a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to picking stocks.

Reitmeister follows a disciplined and comprehensive method for selecting stocks. His strategy begins by closely tracking top-performing analysts to ensure that only high-quality recommendations make the cut. 

Each potential investment then undergoes a rigorous screening process through the Zen Ratings system, which distills 115 factors that drive growth into an easy-to-read letter score. In addition to an overall score, you can see how each stock scores in different areas, including value, growth, momentum, and more. 

Stocks are graded from A to F based on these factors. An “A” grade means it’s a Strong Buy, for instance. Stocks with an A rating have historically delivered annual returns of over 30%.

Once a stock passes this evaluation, Reitmeister digs deeper to assess its growth potential, paying particular attention to companies with strong earnings surprises, attractive valuations, and robust growth prospects.

From this refined selection, he handpicks stocks, relying on over four decades of investment experience to navigate market conditions and identify opportunities that align with his long-term strategy. 

Subscribers to Zen Investor gain access to regular market analysis, clear trading strategies, and a focused portfolio of 20-30 high-potential stocks.

With a portfolio of 20–30 hand-picked stocks, monthly updates, and live webinars where you can ask questions, Zen Investor offers a simple yet supportive setup. It’s especially great for newer investors who might find platforms like TradeSmith overwhelming.

Plus, it’s way more affordable, starting at just $79 per year. If you want an investment service that’s transparent, easy to understand, and doesn’t break the bank, Zen Investor is definitely worth checking out.

2. Motley Fool Epic

If you’re looking for a more immersive investing experience, Motley Fool Epic is well worth the investment ($499/year, but you can get $200 off using the links in this post).

With your Epic subscription, you gain access to 4 of Motley Fool’s most popular scorecards — Stock Advisor, Rule Breakers, Hidden Gems, and Dividend Investor. You also get access to an impressive variety of stock research tools and resources. 

In my opinion, The Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor is one of the biggest benefits of your Epic subscription. In case you’re not familiar, it’s a newsletter with stock picks that have performed exceptionally well since the service’s 2002 inception:

The reason why I suggest Epic versus Stock Advisor alone is all of the other excellent stuff you get:

• Monthly recommendations and rankings from Stock Advisor, Rule Breakers, Hidden Gems, and Dividend Investor
• A robust toolkit including Cautious, Moderate, and Aggressive Portfolio Strategies with specific stock allocation, FoolIQ research tools, simulators, and more. 
• Access to full historical financial data, max drawdown, and projected annualized returns for all publicly traded companies in Fool IQ.
• Access to Motley Fool’s GamePlan+ financial hub and financial planning articles.
• Access to Motley Fool’s proprietary stock scoring system, driven by their Quant team (Quant 5Y).
• Premium access to Epic Opportunities, a members-only podcast.
• Articles and earnings coverage on an expanded universe of stocks.

Final Word: 

The high cost and mixed TradeSmith reviews — especially around refunds and performance — make it clear that TradeSmith isn’t for everyone.

If you’re considering TradeSmith, take a close look at your goals, budget, and investment style. Are you ready to dive into a system that requires time and effort to get the most out of it? 

With so many tools and options in the TradeSmith suite, it can also feel overwhelming trying to pick what’s right for you. 

A  simpler, more affordable option like Zen Investor could be better for you. Either way, doing thorough research and starting small, if possible, is the smartest way to find the right fit for your investing needs.

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