# QuantMage alternatives: 4 tools compared

> Looking for a QuantMage alternative? Compare Tactfolio, Composer, testfol.io, and QuantConnect on automated trading, brokers, and price.

Written by [Tactfolio research team](https://tactfolio.com/about/editorial-policy.md), published 2026-10-16, updated 2026-10-17.

QuantMage is a no-code builder for rules-based stock and ETF strategies that can trade through Alpaca. Good QuantMage alternatives include Tactfolio, Composer, testfol.io, and QuantConnect. Each one fits a different need. We make Tactfolio, so read our notes with that in mind. Every fact about the other tools comes from their own websites, checked on October 16, 2026.

## QuantMage alternatives at a glance

| Tool | Best for | Builds with | Automated trading | Price |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tactfolio | Automating on a free plan in your own Alpaca account | Visual blocks or your AI assistant | Yes, Alpaca | Free, Plus $12 a month ($99 a year), Pro $29 a month ($249 a year). Everything is free until billing opens. [See pricing](https://tactfolio.com/pricing.md) |
| Composer | One app that also holds your account | Visual editor or its AI chat | Yes, as your broker | Free for one strategy, paid from $10 a month |
| testfol.io | Free daily backtests and research tools | Forms and signal rules | No | Free tiers, paid from $15 a month |
| QuantConnect | Programmers who want every market | Python or C# code | Yes, about 20 brokers | Free tier, paid seats from $10 a month plus compute |

## Why people look for a QuantMage alternative

QuantMage's Apprentice plan costs $10 a month, or $8 billed yearly, and covers building and backtesting. Automated trading needs the Mage plan, at $500 a month or $400 a month billed yearly. There is a 14-day trial but no free plan. People who want to automate a few strategies often look for a cheaper way.

## Tactfolio

Tactfolio is a platform where you build rules-based investing strategies, [backtest](https://tactfolio.com/learn/backtesting-explained.md) them on decades of real prices, share them, and run them automatically in your own [Alpaca account](https://tactfolio.com/alpaca-trading.md). You can build by hand in a visual builder or by asking an [AI assistant](https://tactfolio.com/ai-trading.md).

Like QuantMage, Tactfolio trades once a day near the close, through Alpaca. You can export a QuantMage spell as a JSON file and import it into the builder. It opens as a private draft with its backtest. Any part Tactfolio can't express yet is listed, and nothing is saved in that case. [Import and export strategies](https://tactfolio.com/docs/import.md) has the details. Tactfolio's Free plan automates 1 strategy, and Plus automates 10 for $12 a month. Read [Tactfolio vs QuantMage](https://tactfolio.com/comparisons/tactfolio-vs-quantmage.md).

## Composer

Composer is a no-code app and broker. Its blocks are close to QuantMage's. It has a library of more than 2,000 community strategies and a built-in AI chat. Your money sits in a Composer account, carried by Alpaca or Apex. Live trading is for US residents. Read [Tactfolio vs Composer](https://tactfolio.com/comparisons/tactfolio-vs-composer.md).

## testfol.io

testfol.io is a backtesting and research site with daily data. Its free tiers include the portfolio backtester, and a free account adds a tactical allocation backtester. Paid plans add optimizers, [Monte Carlo](https://tactfolio.com/trading-tools/monte-carlo-simulation.md), and alerts. It does not trade, so you would place trades yourself.

## QuantConnect

QuantConnect is a code-first platform. You write strategies in Python or C#, with data down to the tick. It covers stocks, options, futures, forex, and crypto, and connects to about 20 brokers, including Alpaca. It suits programmers. Read [Tactfolio vs QuantConnect](https://tactfolio.com/comparisons/tactfolio-vs-quantconnect.md).

## How to choose

- To keep trading through Alpaca without the $500 plan, try Tactfolio.
- For one app that holds the money and trades, try Composer.
- For research only, with free daily backtests, try testfol.io. See [testfol.io alternatives](https://tactfolio.com/comparisons/testfolio-alternatives.md) for more like it.
- If you code and want more markets, try QuantConnect.

Before you switch, run the same strategy on both tools and compare. Small differences in data and trading costs can change a backtest. [What a backtest simulates](https://tactfolio.com/docs/backtests.md) lists every assumption Tactfolio makes.

## Common questions

### Can I move my QuantMage spells to Tactfolio?

Yes. Export the spell from QuantMage's Grimoire as a JSON file, then upload it in Tactfolio's builder. It opens as a private draft with its backtest ready.

### Is there a free alternative to QuantMage with automated trading?

Yes. Tactfolio has a Free plan that includes 1 [automated strategy](https://tactfolio.com/automated-trading.md) in your own Alpaca account, and every feature is free until billing opens. Composer's Starter plan is free for one automated strategy.

### Does QuantMage work with brokers other than Alpaca?

No. QuantMage trades only through Alpaca, in taxable, paper, or [IRA](https://tactfolio.com/learn/ira-vs-401k.md) accounts. Tactfolio also trades real money only through Alpaca.

## Sources

- [QuantMage homepage](https://quantmage.app/), accessed 2026-10-16
- [QuantMage pricing](https://quantmage.app/pricing.html), accessed 2026-10-16
- [QuantMage FAQ](https://quantmage.app/library/guides/faq/), accessed 2026-10-16
- [Composer pricing](https://www.composer.trade/pricing), accessed 2026-10-16
- [Composer disclosures](https://www.composer.trade/disclosures), accessed 2026-10-16
- [testfol.io homepage](https://testfol.io/), accessed 2026-10-16
- [testfol.io pricing](https://testfol.io/pricing), accessed 2026-10-16
- [QuantConnect pricing](https://www.quantconnect.com/pricing/), accessed 2026-10-16
- [QuantConnect brokerages](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/live-trading/brokerages), accessed 2026-10-16