TrendSpider isn't an "options-first" platform — but it's surprisingly good at options
Most pure options platforms (thinkorswim, Tastytrade) lead with the chain. TrendSpider leads with the chart and treats options as an overlay. For directional traders running technical setups on optionable equities, that's actually the right hierarchy — you find the trade on the chart first, then size it through options.
Here's the complete TrendSpider options workflow we use.
Step 1: Find a setup with auto-drawn levels
Pull up the chart of any optionable name (SPY, QQQ, AAPL, NVDA, etc.). TrendSpider auto-draws the relevant trendlines, support/resistance and Fibonacci zones. The setups that matter for options:
- Breakout from a tight consolidation — high gamma, defined risk
- Bounce off a multi-touch S/R level — clean stop placement
- Anchored VWAP reclaim — institutional flow signal
Each of these creates a clear invalidation level, which translates directly into your options stop and target.
Step 2: Layer the unusual options activity scanner
On the Advanced plan, TrendSpider's unusual options activity (UOA) scanner flags tickers where call or put volume is meaningfully above the 30-day average. Cross-reference UOA with your technical setup — when both align, the trade is much higher conviction.
Example: NVDA breaks resistance on increasing volume and UOA shows 2.3x average call volume hitting the ask at the same strike → that's a setup worth sizing into.
Step 3: Use the AI Strategy Lab to backtest the directional thesis
Don't just take the trade. Backtest the underlying directional move first. Type into the Strategy Lab:
"Buy NVDA when price breaks above the 20-day high on volume > 1.5x average, exit at 8% profit or 4% stop."
If the equity-side strategy backtests with a positive expectancy, the options trade is far more justified. If the underlying setup doesn't have edge, no options structure will save you.
Step 4: Pick the right options structure
TrendSpider doesn't pick options structures for you — that's a trader judgement call. But the platform gives you what you need to decide:
- Chart timeframe → expiration: Daily setup → 30-45 DTE. Weekly setup → 60-90 DTE.
- Stop level → strike: Place your stop just below the auto-drawn invalidation level. Pick a strike that gives you 0.40-0.60 delta with that stop in mind.
- Volume context → IV awareness: TrendSpider shows you historical volatility on the chart. Compare to current IV before buying premium.
Step 5: Set TrendSpider alerts at the strike level
Use TrendSpider's multi-condition alert builder to fire SMS or webhook alerts when:
- Price breaks above resistance + volume > X (entry trigger)
- Price closes below your stop level (exit trigger)
- Underlying touches your target level (profit-taking trigger)
These alerts can webhook directly into broker integrations on Advanced for semi-automated options entries.
What TrendSpider isn't great at for options
Be honest with yourself about the limitations:
- No native options chain. You'll still need your broker (or Tastytrade) for the actual chain and Greeks at execution.
- Limited multi-leg analytics. TrendSpider isn't designed for iron condors, calendars or ratio spreads.
- No options-specific strategy backtesting. You backtest the underlying move, not the options P&L curve.
For pure options traders running spreads, thinkorswim or Tastytrade remain better tools. For directional options buyers using technical setups on equities, TrendSpider is the best front-end most retail traders can buy — and with SET25 it's $40.50/mo for Elite or $60.75/mo for Advanced (which includes the UOA scanner).
Try TrendSpider for options trading — start the 7-day free trial, then apply SET25 at upgrade.