MotiveWave — Cross-Platform Trading with Elliott Wave & Java SDK Backtesting
MotiveWave is a professional charting and trading platform known for its advanced Elliott Wave analysis tools — best-in-class in the retail space. It also offers strategy backtesting via a full Java SDK. Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux (one of few cross-platform trading platforms).
Language: Java (SDK) | Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux | Price: Free (Community) to $2,295 (Ultimate)
Java SDK
Full Java — use any Java library, OOP, access the entire Java ecosystem. Strategies extend the SDK’s base classes.
- Event-driven model:
onBarUpdate,onTick, etc. - Compile and package as JAR files
- Eclipse/IntelliJ integration
- Built-in access to historical data, indicators, drawing tools
- Condition Wizard for no-code strategy building (no Java required)
- Study Scanner for scanning across instruments
Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced for SDK. Condition Wizard available for non-programmers.
Strategy Tester Features
- Write strategy in Java → compile to JAR → load into platform → run backtest
- No-code alternative via Condition Wizard
- Basic parameter optimization (input parameter variation)
- Performance report: Trade statistics, equity curve, P&L summary, drawdown analysis
- Commission/slippage configurable
- Strategies can run live for automated trading
- Timeframes: Tick, 1-min to monthly, custom bar types (Renko, range, Heikin Ashi, etc.)
Limitations
- No portfolio backtesting
- No walk-forward optimization
- No genetic algorithm optimization
- SDK documentation less extensive than competitors
Supported Instruments
- Stocks, Futures, Forex, Options, Crypto (Coinbase, Binance, etc.), CFDs
- Connects to IQFeed, CQG, Rithmic, Interactive Brokers, and many others
Pricing
| Edition | Price |
|---|---|
| Community | Free |
| Charts | $99 lifetime |
| Charts Plus | $195 lifetime |
| Trade | $295 lifetime |
| Strategy | $595 lifetime |
| Professional | $995 lifetime |
| Ultimate | $2,295 lifetime or $159/mo |
14-day free trial. Data feeds are separate cost.
Pros
- Cross-platform — Windows, Mac, Linux (Java-based)
- Full Java SDK — no language limitations
- Best-in-class Elliott Wave analysis tools
- Clean, modern UI
- Connects to many brokers and data feeds
- Free Community Edition for basic use
- Affordable lifetime pricing for paid editions
- Condition Wizard for no-code strategies
- Good Gann and Fibonacci tools
Cons
- Backtesting engine less powerful than MultiCharts or AmiBroker
- No portfolio backtesting
- No walk-forward or genetic optimization
- Java SDK requires real programming knowledge
- Smaller community — fewer shared strategies
- Elliott Wave focus means backtesting feels secondary
- Java startup can be slow
- Limited SDK documentation compared to competitors
- Data feed costs add up
Who Should Use MotiveWave?
MotiveWave is the right choice for Elliott Wave practitioners who also want backtesting capability, or for traders who need a cross-platform solution (Mac/Linux). The Java SDK gives unlimited flexibility for those who know Java.
For dedicated backtesting, AmiBroker or MultiCharts are more powerful. For free backtesting, use MetaTrader or thinkorswim. For Python development, see Backtrader.