Trading options successfully takes more than just a gut feeling. The best alert services offer real-time trade setups, volatility signals, and strategic guidance to help you act with clarity, not just impulse. Whether you’re looking for short-term scalps or longer-dated swings, the right service can bring discipline and data to your strategy.
We’ve reviewed the five best options trading alert services and newsletters, factoring in signal frequency, historical performance, pricing, and ease of use. These services cater to traders from retail beginners to advanced professionals offering curated trade alerts based on real market conditions.
How We Chose the Best Options Alert Services
This list is based on a methodology adapted to analyze independent options alert platforms and newsletter providers. Evaluation criteria included:
- Pricing structure: Monthly or annual costs compared to alert volume available to users, i.e., are alerts limited or unlimited; and is the price reflective of the service in terms of quantity?
- Platform usability: Interface quality, mobile alerts, and user experience
- Account options and minimums: Subscription tiers, trial periods, and account flexibility
- Customer service and availability: Response times, onboarding help, and live support
- Asset class coverage: Focus on equity options, exchange-traded fund (ETF) options, spreads, and volatility trades
- Educational content and support: Availability of strategy breakdowns, webinars, and community features
Best Options Alert Services
The five platforms below offer a mix of timely alerts, actionable trade setups, and helpful educational content backed by real-world strategy and historical context.
Market Rebellion – Best for Active Traders
Market Rebellion, co-founded by Jon and Pete Najarian, is built for traders who want institutional-grade options flow analysis. It delivers daily unusual options activity alerts flagging large, aggressive orders from institutions as well as detailed trade setups with entry and exit guidance.
Traders receive multiple trade ideas per day via app, email, and dashboard, with breakdowns including strike price, expiration, implied volatility, and suggested risk management. Market Rebellion also offers live coaching and webinars for deeper learning.
Key Features:
- Pricing: Starts at $995 annually for the Premium tier
- Alerts: Intraday unusual options activity, volatility trades
- Delivery: App notifications, email, live dashboard
- Education: On-demand classes, coaching, daily video recaps
- Drawbacks: Can be overwhelming for beginners
Options Alpha – Best Free Automation Platform
Options Alpha blends trading alerts with an automation engine allowing traders to backtest, monitor, and execute trades automatically based on real-time conditions. While it does not issue trade “alerts” in the traditional sense, it enables users to build rule-based systems and receive notifications when setups trigger.
The platform also includes one of the most comprehensive libraries of options education online, ideal for traders who want to understand the “why” behind each strategy.
Key Features:
- Pricing: Free core features; automation unlocks at $99/month
- Alerts: Rule-based signals based on user-defined criteria
- Delivery: Web dashboard, Slack, and third-party integrations
- Education: Extensive options trading courses, live workshops
- Drawbacks: Requires more hands-on setup than newsletter-style alerts
Benzinga Options Newsletter – Best for Swing Traders
Benzinga’s Options Newsletter delivers several trades per week, generally targeting 1–3 week holding periods. The newsletter breaks down each trade idea with clear entry/exit guidance, risk/reward expectations, and accompanying charts.
Subscribers benefit from Benzinga’s full news desk and institutional data coverage meaning each alert comes with timely context and fundamental drivers behind the trade idea.
Key Features:
- Pricing: $19/month or discounted annual plan
- Alerts: 36+ trade alerts per year
- Delivery: Email newsletter, dashboard login
- Education: Chart breakdowns, real-time sentiment drivers
- Drawbacks: Lower alert frequency than high-volume services
SteadyOptions – Best for Strategy Explanation
SteadyOptions is a long-standing service known for its consistent performance and focus on non-directional strategies like earnings plays and calendar spreads. Each trade alert is accompanied by a detailed explanation of the strategy mechanics, expected move, and rationale.
The service also features an active forum with trade journals and member Q&A, making it great for serious traders who want to learn and participate, not just copy trades.
Key Features:
- Pricing: $125 a month for various subscriptions
- Alerts: 3–10 setups per month; mostly non-directional
- Delivery: Email and forum posts
- Education: Detailed trade logic, backtests, member discussions
- Drawbacks: More technical than casual services
The Option Strategist – Best for Comprehensive Options Strategy Coverage
The Option Strategist, authored by options industry legend Larry McMillan, is one of the longest-running and most respected newsletters in the business. With over 30 years of publication history, it offers a deep blend of education, market commentary, and actionable trade ideas for both beginner and seasoned traders.
Published every Friday, the newsletter includes technical analysis, sentiment readings, put-call ratios, and option volatility insights. In addition to standard directional trades, it covers advanced strategies like spreads, condors, straddles, and volatility plays. Subscribers also receive feature articles during the week that explore emerging market trends and backtested studies.
Key Features:
- Pricing: Starts at $129
- Alerts: Weekly trade recommendations with follow-ups and risk parameters
- Delivery: Friday newsletter, plus midweek feature article emails
- Education: Extensive explanation of strategy, indicators, and technical outlooks
- Drawbacks: Not real-time; weekly cadence may not suit high-frequency traders
Why Alerts Matter in Options Trading
Unlike stocks, options decay over time, which makes timing, volatility, and precision critical. A good alert service doesn’t just tell you what to trade, it explains why, and how to manage the risk.
The best services include details like:
- Strike, expiration, and entry price
- Implied volatility context
- Strategy rationale (e.g., earnings, IV crush, skew)
- Exit planning or adjustment advice
Whether you’re scalping short-dated calls or selling premium around earnings, a high-quality alert service can add structure and confidence to your decision-making.
Choose the Service That Fits Your Style
If you prefer high-frequency, real-time setups, Market Rebellion is hard to beat. If you’re a more technical trader who enjoys automation and rule-building, Options Alpha gives you full control. Meanwhile, SteadyOptions and Option Pit offer great education and unique strategies for volatility-focused traders.
Before subscribing, consider how each service matches your trading goals, time horizon, and experience level. Many offer free trials or money-back guarantees. Use them to test drive before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, for traders who understand how to manage risk. Alerts can help you spot high-probability trades, but success depends on discipline and sizing.
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Most deliver alerts via email or app. For real-time execution, look into platforms like Options Alpha, which supports automated trading via brokers.
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Benzinga Options and SteadyOptions both offer well-explained trades with solid educational content.
