TheoryCraft vs AmiBroker (2026)
AmiBroker validates your backtest. TheoryCraft writes it for you, in Python, in the browser.
AmiBroker is a fast, mature Windows app with serious backtest validation. The work it leaves to you is writing the code, finding the data, and staying on Windows.
Strategies live in AFL, AmiBroker's own language, so every system is hand-written by you. There is no AI assistant, and the app ships no market data, so you buy and wire up a separate vendor feed before you can test anything.
TheoryCraft keeps the rigorous validation and removes that friction. You describe an idea, an AI assistant writes and runs the backtest as standard, portable Python that runs anywhere, market data is already bundled, and the whole thing runs in the browser on any operating system.
You can also connect your own coding agent over MCP and let it drive the research, so the validation AmiBroker is known for is one step away instead of one language away.
TheoryCraft vs AmiBroker: feature comparison
| Feature | TheoryCraft | AmiBroker |
|---|---|---|
| AI drafts your strategy from a plain-language brief |
Describe the idea; the assistant writes and runs it, and you keep full control of the code
|
No built-in AI; strategies are written in the AFL language
|
| Standard, portable Python (runs anywhere) |
Readable code you can export and run anywhere, with no lock-in
|
Proprietary AFL, not Python
|
| Connect your own AI agent (Claude, Cursor, Codex) via MCP |
Native MCP server
|
No MCP or connect-your-own-agent
|
| Flexible LLM access (included, or your own key) |
Model included on the Managed plan, or your own key across 26 providers
|
No LLM access
|
| Open-source engine (Apache-2.0) |
Free to inspect, fork and run
|
Proprietary, paid license
|
| Runs in any browser, on any OS |
Nothing to install
|
Windows-only desktop
|
| Market data included (1,600+ instruments) |
Forex, EU and US equities, metals, commodities, indices via Dukascopy Bank
|
Ships no data; bring your own vendor
|
| Scientific validation (walk-forward, Monte Carlo, overfit checks) |
Layered Edge, Filters and Risk, each tested independently
|
Walk-forward, Monte Carlo and multiple optimizers
|
| Historical strategy backtesting |
Across years of market data
|
Fast portfolio-level backtesting
|
| Parameter optimization |
Matrix and genetic search
|
CMA-ES, particle swarm and exhaustive search
|
| Interactive charts and visualization |
Live charts in your research notebooks
|
Charting and exploration
|
AI on TheoryCraft vs AmiBroker
AmiBroker has no AI. As of 2026, every strategy is written by you in AFL, its own language. Some traders paste prompts into ChatGPT to draft AFL, but that happens outside the product, and there is no way to connect an agent or your own LLM key.
TheoryCraft puts the AI inside the workflow:
- From a brief to a backtest. Describe the idea and the assistant writes the code, runs it, and reads back the results. You can also write the Python yourself; the AI is a head start, not a black box.
- Standard, portable Python. Every strategy is readable Python in a notebook you can export and run anywhere. No AFL lock-in.
- Your own agent, your own model. Connect Claude, Codex or Cursor over MCP, and either use the model included on the Managed plan or bring your own key across 26 providers.
On AmiBroker, you still write every strategy yourself in AFL.
Why traders move from AmiBroker to TheoryCraft
Same validation, written for you
AmiBroker has genuine depth here: walk-forward, Monte Carlo and several optimizers. TheoryCraft offers that same scientific validation, but the AI assistant writes and runs it from a plain-language brief, so you spend time on the idea instead of on AFL syntax.
Standard, portable Python, not AFL
AmiBroker locks your logic into AFL, its own language, and that code only runs inside AmiBroker. TheoryCraft hands you standard Python notebooks you can export and run anywhere, the same code a quant would write by hand.
An open engine, your own agent, any OS
AmiBroker is a proprietary, paid, Windows-only desktop app. TheoryCraft runs in the browser on any OS, its tick-level engine is open source under Apache-2.0, and you can connect your own AI agent over MCP with a choice of 26 LLM providers.
Market data, already bundled
TheoryCraft includes historical data for 1,600+ instruments across forex, EU and US equities, metals, commodities and indices, sourced through Dukascopy Bank. AmiBroker ships no data, so you buy and wire up a separate vendor feed before you can test anything.
Stop guessing. Start proving.
Turn an idea into evidence. Build it, backtest it, and see whether the edge is real before you risk capital.
Frequently asked questions
Is TheoryCraft a good AmiBroker alternative?
Yes. It keeps the serious validation AmiBroker is known for, walk-forward and Monte Carlo, but an AI assistant writes the backtest as standard, portable Python that runs anywhere, market data is bundled, and it runs in the browser on Mac, Linux or Windows. AmiBroker stays a Windows-only desktop app where you hand-code AFL.
Does AmiBroker have AI?
No. AmiBroker has no built-in AI as of 2026, and every strategy is written by hand in AFL. Some traders use ChatGPT externally to draft AFL, but that is not a feature of the product. TheoryCraft is built around an AI workflow, plus MCP and 26 LLM providers.
Can I use Python instead of AFL?
Yes. On AmiBroker, strategies are written in AFL, its own language, and that code runs only inside AmiBroker. TheoryCraft generates real, exportable Python notebooks you can run anywhere, the same code a quant would write by hand.
Does it run on Mac or Linux?
Yes. TheoryCraft is browser-based and runs on any OS (Mac, Linux or Windows) with nothing to install. AmiBroker is a Windows-only desktop app, so Mac and Linux users need a Windows environment to run it.
Do I need to bring my own market data?
No. TheoryCraft bundles historical data for 1,600+ instruments across forex, EU and US equities, metals, commodities and indices, sourced through Dukascopy Bank. AmiBroker ships no data, so you buy and connect a separate vendor feed before you can test anything.