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Free and Trial Account Data Policy

Free Forever and trial accounts are limited to data that is at least 24 hours old. This restriction arises from two independent requirements: exchange rules on user identification and exchange rules on free trials.

User Identification Requirement​

Before an exchange permits a vendor to distribute real-time or intraday delayed data to a subscriber, the subscriber must be identified and their professional status determined. Free and trial account holders have not completed this process.

Market Data is required by the exchanges to collect, verify, and report the identity of all subscribers who receive real-time or intraday data. Until your account is verified and you have signed the required exchange agreements, Market Data can only provide data that is at least 24 hours old, which is not subject to the same identification requirements.

See Account Compliance for details on the verification process.

Exchange Restrictions on Free Trials​

Separately from identification requirements, the exchanges place limits on which subscribers may receive real-time or intraday data at no charge:

  • Non-professional subscribers are not permitted to receive real-time or intraday data through a free trial under any circumstances.
  • Professional subscribers may be eligible for limited free trial access from some exchanges, but this is not universally permitted across all exchanges.

Because Market Data serves a broad base of non-professional subscribers, and because free trial access to real-time or intraday data is prohibited for non-professionals regardless of plan, all free and trial accounts are limited to 24-hour delayed data.

Accessing Real-Time and Intraday Data​

To access real-time or 15-minute delayed data, all of the following are required:

  1. A paid subscription — real-time and intraday data are not available on free or trial plans.
  2. Account verification — your identity and professional status must be confirmed by Market Data before exchange data can be enabled. See Account Compliance.
  3. Signed exchange agreements — you must sign the subscriber agreement for each exchange whose data you wish to receive. See Exchange Entitlements.