TraderSync
Pick TraderSync when you want automated broker / API import and multi-asset analytics on the web. Mantis can import a TraderSync CSV export, but it won't replace a live multi-broker pipeline.
Looking for the best trading journal app in 2026? This roundup compares four journals iPhone traders actually use: Mantis, TraderSync, Tradervue, and Edgewonk. We score for iPhone-first workflows — emotion tracking, privacy, and speed over desktop-only features.
Mantis is our pick for iPhone-native journaling with emotion tracking built in. Mantis imports CSV files from TraderSync, Tradervue and Interactive Brokers (Premium), and can pull Interactive Brokers trades through a Flex Query. If you trade through several brokers and want them all synced into a web account, TraderSync and Tradervue cover more of that. Choose Edgewonk for desktop-first behavioral analytics.
How we ranked these trading journal apps
Mantis publishes this roundup. We score for iPhone traders who want to journal without a desktop, not for every web-first workflow. These five criteria decide the order on this page:
- iOS-native. Can you log a trade on iPhone without opening a laptop? Native iOS beats a wrapped web view; web-only journals score zero here.
- No account required. Can you start without creating a cloud login? Journals that force an account before the first entry rank lower for this list.
- Emotion logging. Does the app capture psychology — not only P&L? See how Mantis tracks trading emotions.
- Price to start. What do you pay before the first journaled trade versus TraderSync, Tradervue, and Edgewonk? Free-to-start beats a subscription or Edgewonk's annual subscription ($197/yr list price, sometimes discounted to $169).
- R-multiple review. Does the app show risk in R, not just dollars? Mantis works out an R-multiple for every position with a stop loss, and shows your average R in Analytics (Premium). See what an R-multiple is.
Mantis is listed first because it is the only journal here that is iOS-native, starts with no account, and logs emotion on-device. That is a scoped pick, not a claim that Mantis is the best trading journal for every trader.
When to choose another journal: TraderSync and Tradervue win when you want many brokers synced into a web account you can open anywhere. Edgewonk wins on desktop behavioral depth. Mantis loses when you need a web or Android app, or automatic syncing from a broker other than Interactive Brokers.
How the apps compare
| Criterion | Mantis | TraderSync | Tradervue | Edgewonk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS-native | ✓ | iOS app | ✗ | ✗ |
| No account required | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Emotion logging | ✓ | Basic | Limited | ✓ |
| Price to start | Free | Subscription | Free tier | $197/yr (sometimes $169) |
| Trade import | ✓ CSV (Premium) + IBKR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Switching from TraderSync or Tradervue
- Export your trades as a CSV from TraderSync or Tradervue (an Interactive Brokers CSV works too).
- In Mantis, open Settings → Data & Integrations → Import Trades (CSV). Mantis detects the format for you. Import is a Premium feature, and there's a 7-day free trial.
- Check the preview. It flags errors and duplicates before anything is saved. Each file can be up to 5 MB or 2,000 rows.
Starting from a spreadsheet instead? Grab the free trading journal template. Full comparisons: TraderSync alternative · Tradervue alternative.
When another journal is the better pick
Tradervue
Pick Tradervue when you review trades in a browser, want CSV/broker import, and a free tier matters more than an iPhone app.
Edgewonk
Pick Edgewonk when your review session is at a desk and you want deeper built-in statistics. It is not an iPhone journal.
Download on theApp Store
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Top trading journal apps
Mantis
Best for iPhone
A native iPhone trading journal built for speed, privacy and psychology. Your journal lives on your iPhone, with no cloud copy and no account needed. Log trades in seconds, tag emotions, set a stop to get R-multiples, and bring old trades over from a CSV when you switch.
Pros
- iOS-native, optimised for iPhone
- On-device storage — your data stays private
- Emotion and behavior tracking
- Free to start, no account required
- Logging works offline (live prices and IBKR import need a connection)
- CSV import from TraderSync, Tradervue and IBKR (Premium)
Cons
- iOS only — no Android or web app
- CSV import and full analytics need Premium
- Live broker connection is Interactive Brokers only
TraderSync
A web-first trading journal with strong broker integrations and multi-asset analytics. The better pick when automated import matters more than journaling on iPhone.
Pros
- Extensive broker / API import
- Detailed P&L analytics
- Web + mobile app
Cons
- Cloud-only storage
- Requires account + subscription
- Not optimised for mobile-first workflows
Tradervue
A web-based journal focused on broker import and trade review. Long-standing tool favoured by equities traders who live in a browser. No iOS app.
Pros
- Broker and CSV import
- Free tier available
- Solid trade review tools
Cons
- Web only — no iOS app
- Cloud storage
- Limited emotion / psychology tracking
Edgewonk
A desktop and web trading journal with a strong focus on manual entry and behavioral analytics. The better pick for desk-bound review, not pocket logging.
Pros
- Deep behavioral analytics
- Annual subscription ($197/yr list, sometimes $169)
- Manual entry encourages discipline
Cons
- No iOS app
- Desktop-first UX
- Steeper learning curve
Frequently asked questions
How did you rank the best trading journal apps?
This page is scored for iPhone traders. We weight iOS-native logging, starting with no account, emotion tracking, and price to start versus TraderSync, Tradervue, and Edgewonk. Mantis leads on those four. It is not a paid ranking and not a claim that Mantis is the best journal for every workflow.
What is the best trading journal app for iPhone?
For iPhone-first journaling, Mantis is our pick: on-device storage, emotion tracking, and no account to start. Choose TraderSync or Tradervue if you want multi-broker sync or a web app; choose Edgewonk if you review on a desktop.
Should I use a journal app or a spreadsheet?
A dedicated app provides structure, faster logging, and built-in analytics that spreadsheets require manual setup for. Spreadsheets offer more flexibility but demand discipline to maintain consistently.
Is Mantis free?
Yes, Mantis is free to start with no account required. Premium, which starts with a 7-day free trial, unlocks unlimited trades, the full analytics dashboard, and CSV import and export.
Can I import trades from my broker into Mantis?
Yes. With Premium, open Settings → Data & Integrations → Import Trades (CSV) and choose a TraderSync, Tradervue or Interactive Brokers CSV, or a file in Mantis's own format. You'll see a preview with duplicates flagged before anything is saved. Interactive Brokers users can also connect a Flex Query and pull trades by date range. There's no automatic sync for other brokers.
Which trading journal is best for privacy?
Mantis keeps your journal on your iPhone. There's no Mantis account and no cloud copy of your trades, which makes it the most private option on this list. The app looks up live prices by ticker, and an IBKR import talks to Interactive Brokers, but your trade history isn't uploaded unless you export it.
Important: Mantis is a trading journal and analytics tool. This page is not investment advice, not financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy or sell any security or instrument. Trading involves risk; past performance does not guarantee future results. Competitor feature information is provided in good faith and may change — verify current pricing and features on each product's official website before making a purchase decision.