Trading Diary Pro is a powerful Windows desktop trading journal — strong on analytics, broker imports, Monte Carlo simulations, and risk reporting. TradingPlan is a different category of tool — a native Apple app built for in-session execution and discipline. They solve different problems and run on different platforms. Use TradingPlan for the moment before a trade on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Use Trading Diary Pro for desktop analytics on Windows.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | TradingPlan | Trading Diary Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Category | In-session execution tool | Desktop trading journal |
| Platform | Native iPhone, iPad, Mac | Windows desktop only |
| Mobile app | ✅ Native iOS | ❌ No mobile app |
| Strategy Flow (live checklist) | ✅ Core feature | ❌ Not the use case |
| Pre-market routine builder | ✅ Dedicated module | ❌ Not built for this |
| Risk management framework | ✅ Built-in, surfaced before trades | ⚠️ Analytics including Monte Carlo |
| Broker imports | ❌ Not the use case | ✅ One-click import from major brokers |
| Monte Carlo simulations | ❌ Not the use case | ✅ Built in |
| Privacy | iCloud only, no third-party | Data stored locally on Windows PC |
| Free tier | ✅ 1 strategy, 1 routine | ❌ 30-day trial only |
| Pricing | Free / £59.99 year / £149.99 lifetime | $149 one-time + $49/year for upgrades |
They Solve Different Problems
Trading Diary Pro is a Windows desktop trading journal with a long heritage. It excels at importing trades from major brokers, running detailed analytics, Monte Carlo simulations, and producing comprehensive performance reports.
TradingPlan is a native Apple app built for what happens before a trade.
Both useful. Both different. They don’t really overlap.
Where Trading Diary Pro Wins
1. Deep Analytics And Reporting
Trading Diary Pro provides detailed metrics — profit/loss across instruments, win rates segmented by symbol and time, risk-reward ratios, expectancy calculations.
2. Monte Carlo Simulations
A standout feature — Trading Diary Pro generates multiple simulated equity curves from your historical trade data.
3. One-Click Broker Import
Trading Diary Pro supports MetaTrader 4 and 5, Interactive Brokers, and several other major brokers with automated import.
4. Tax Reporting
The software produces tax-ready capital gains reports.
5. Local Data Storage
Trading Diary Pro stores everything locally on your Windows PC.
6. One-Time Pricing
$149 once plus $49/year for ongoing upgrades.
Where TradingPlan Wins
1. Your Rules Become Active In The Moment
Trading Diary Pro analyses what you did. TradingPlan guides what you’re about to do.
2. Native Apple — Available Where You Trade
TradingPlan is built natively for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Trading Diary Pro is Windows-only desktop software.
3. Pre-Market Routine As A Daily Habit
TradingPlan has a dedicated routine module. Trading Diary Pro has no routine builder.
4. Free Tier Available Indefinitely
TradingPlan’s free tier includes one strategy and one routine. Trading Diary Pro has a 30-day trial only.
5. Modern Interface Designed For Touch
TradingPlan is built with SwiftUI — modern, gesture-aware.
6. iCloud Sync Across Apple Devices
TradingPlan syncs your plan privately across iPhone, iPad and Mac via iCloud.
Our Honest Verdict
Use Trading Diary Pro if: - You’re a Windows user with a powerful desktop setup - You want deep desktop analytics with Monte Carlo simulations - You trade through supported brokers - You don’t need mobile or in-session execution support
Use TradingPlan if: - You’re an Apple user (iPhone, iPad, Mac) - You want your rules active in the moment of trading - You need mobile support - You want a built-in routine and risk framework - You want lifetime pricing without ongoing upgrade fees
The platform question alone often decides this comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trading Diary Pro a trading plan app?
No — Trading Diary Pro is a Windows-based trading journal.
Can I use Trading Diary Pro on Mac?
Trading Diary Pro is Windows-only. Mac users would need to run it via Windows emulation.
Does Trading Diary Pro have a mobile app?
No. Trading Diary Pro is desktop-only Windows software.
Can I use Trading Diary Pro and TradingPlan together?
Yes — they complement each other if you have a Windows machine for journaling and an Apple device for trading.
Which is cheaper?
TradingPlan has a free tier and £59.99/year (or £149.99 lifetime). Trading Diary Pro is $149 one-time plus $49/year for upgrades.
Ready to Try TradingPlan?
Free on the App Store. Native iPhone, iPad and Mac. Setup takes minutes.
Stop trading from memory. Start trading from a plan.
Related Reading
Explore the rest of the TradingPlan hub series:
- The Trading Plan App — the category overview and homepage
- Trading Discipline App — how to actually follow your rules under pressure
- Trading Checklist App — turn your rules into a live pre-trade flow
- Trading Strategy App — execute your strategy with rule-by-rule discipline
- Trading Routine App — the pre-market habit that compounds
- Trading Plan Template — the free framework to fill in
Ready to build a plan you actually follow?
TradingPlan turns your trading rules into a live system you run before every trade. Free on the App Store — iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Download TradingPlan Free