Python vs MT5 vs TradingView for backtesting

Choosing a backtesting stack usually comes down to how much control you need versus how much time you want to spend debugging. If you are building custom signal logic or machine learning models, Python is the industry standard. Libraries like Backtrader or VectorBT give you total control over the data and execution logic, but you are responsible for handling your own tick data and accounting for slippage yourself. It is powerful but requires serious work to get realistic results.

MetaTrader 5 is the go-to for many retail traders because it includes the historical data and a built-in strategy tester right out of the box. The fill realism is decent if you use real tick data, but the MQL5 language can be a headache if you are used to Python. It is a closed ecosystem, which makes it harder to integrate with external data sources or custom optimization libraries compared to a local Python environment.

TradingView https://www.tradingview.com is the quickest way to prototype an idea. Pine Script is incredibly fast for visual backtesting, and the platform handles the data heavy lifting for you. However, it lacks the depth for complex walk-forward analysis or multi-asset portfolio simulations. For users needing more robust cloud-based simulation without writing thousands of lines of code, tools like QuantMogul offer a middle ground by handling the infrastructure while keeping the data access flexible.

Here is how they generally stack up:

• Python: Best for custom models and full control.
• MT5: Good for retail setups and built-in tick data.
• TradingView: Best for rapid visual iteration and ease of use.

None of these platforms is perfect. Python is a time sink, MT5 is rigid, and web-based tools can get expensive as you scale. Have you found a way to bridge the gap between quick prototyping on TradingView and the rigorous validation you get in a local Python environment?