What is manual backtesting?
It is testing a strategy on history with you making the decisions, not a script. The chart opens on a date you choose with future candles hidden; you move the market forward — a market replay — and trade by your rules. ChartStep is a forex simulator on historical data, with gold, indices and crypto as well: there is no broker, no deposit and no real trades. To keep yourself honest, start from a random date or in blind mode, where dates are hidden.
Is it free? Do I need to sign up?
Yes, it is free. The chart, the replay and trades open without sign-up. A free account is for saving sessions and running the prop challenge.
Will ChartStep stay free?
Right now everything is free, with the full feature set, until at least the end of 2026. A subscription will come later; its terms and prices are not set yet.
Where do the quotes come from, and how do trades fill?
The history is Dukascopy quotes with per-second bid and ask. Buys fill at the ask and sells at the bid, at that second’s spread. SL and TP are checked against prices inside the candle, not its high and low.
Which instruments and timeframes are there?
Seven major currency pairs (EURUSD, GBPUSD, AUDUSD, NZDUSD, USDCAD, USDCHF, USDJPY), gold and silver (XAUUSD, XAGUSD), the US30, US500 and NAS100 indices, Bitcoin and Ethereum (BTCUSD, ETHUSD). Timeframes run from M1 to monthly. Everything runs in the browser, on desktop and phone.
Are there ICT tools: Kill Zones, Silver Bullet, FVG?
Yes: Kill Zones, Silver Bullet and FVG, with the zones on New York time. We do not promise other ICT tools yet — what exists today is in the indicator list on the chart.
How does the prop challenge work?
You create a session with exam rules: a profit target, daily and maximum loss limits, minimum trading days. The server tracks the limits; on a breach, positions close and trading stops. The mode works only in an account — it is not available without sign-up. It is practice, not a firm’s challenge.
How is ChartStep different from TradingView Bar Replay and FX Replay?
ChartStep is an alternative to TradingView Bar Replay and FX Replay: the job is the same, manual backtesting on history in the browser. In ChartStep the chart, the replay and trades open without sign-up, trades fill on historical bid and ask, and the interface is in English and Russian. The fairest comparison is your own: replay the same day with your strategy.