Now accepting new clients · Remote + In-person

Local, Secure, API Trading

We provide local, secure trading tools that connect directly to your Schwab API for professional-grade portfolio and trading management.

Our custom software — available via Excel or our dedicated local application — plugs directly into your Schwab account. Experience the same level of control, execution speed, and advanced portfolio tracking used by professional firms, all hosted securely on your own machine.

Why SetupTrader?

Direct API Integration

Execute trades and pull data without the middleman.

Local Security

Your data stays on your hardware, giving you total privacy and control.

The Pro Setup

From institutional-level spreadsheets to custom apps, we build for performance.

The Discord Community

Access a network of serious traders using the same high-level tools to find an edge.

Works with
📊 Excel (Windows)
📈 Excel (Mac)
🔗 Schwab Trader API
📉 Market Data API
🔐 OAuth 2.0
🐍 Python
🤖 AI Integration
Top Resources for Retail Traders
Lyn Alden Investment Strategy & Macro Research
Market Radar Macro Insights & Data-Driven Analysis
Real Vision Financial Knowledge & Expert Interviews
Crowded Market Report Contrarian Trading with Jason Shapiro
Lyn Alden Investment Strategy & Macro Research
Market Radar Macro Insights & Data-Driven Analysis
Real Vision Financial Knowledge & Expert Interviews
Crowded Market Report Contrarian Trading with Jason Shapiro

Everything wired up,
ready to trade

From API registration to live trading — we handle the technical complexity so you can focus on your investment strategy.

Full Schwab API Setup

We register your developer account, create your app, configure OAuth authentication, set up callback URLs, and handle the token refresh flow. You go from zero to authenticated API access in a single session.

📊

Custom Excel Interface

A purpose-built Excel spreadsheet connected to live Schwab data — real-time quotes, positions, balances, and trade execution. All with VBA source code included.

🎯

Trading Workflows

Market orders, limit orders, three-part orders (entry + target + stop loss), order status tracking, and portfolio management for up to 500 tickers.

🔐

OAuth & Security

Proper OAuth 2.0 implementation with secure token storage, automatic refresh, and credential management following Schwab's security requirements.

' Example: Fetch live quote from Schwab API in Excel VBA
Sub GetQuote(ticker As String)
  Dim response As String
  response = SchwabAPI.GetMarketData("/quotes/" & ticker)
  Range("B2").Value = ParseJSON(response, "lastPrice")
  Range("C2").Value = ParseJSON(response, "netChange")
End Sub

Live in one session

Most setups are completed in 2–4 hours. You'll be placing trades from Excel the same day.

01

Kickoff Call

We discuss your trading needs, which API products you need (Market Data, Accounts & Trading, or both), and your Excel workflow preferences.

02

Developer Account & App Registration

We walk you through creating your Schwab Developer Portal account, registering your app, setting callback URLs, and linking your brokerage account.

03

OAuth Configuration

We configure the OAuth 2.0 flow — authorization code exchange, access token generation, and automatic refresh token management so your connection never drops.

04

Excel Integration

We install and configure your API-enabled Excel spreadsheet with live quotes, trading controls, portfolio management, and any custom workflows you need.

05

Go Live + 14-Day Support

You start trading immediately. We provide 14 days of dedicated support for any issues, tuning, or additional customization requests.

Get more from the API

Pro techniques our clients use to get the most out of their Schwab API setup.

TIP 01

Token Refresh Strategy

Schwab access tokens expire every 30 minutes. Set up a background timer in Excel to refresh automatically — never get logged out mid-session.

TIP 02

Batch Quote Requests

Instead of individual API calls per ticker, batch up to 500 symbols in a single request. Dramatically reduces latency and API rate limit usage.

TIP 03

Error Handling

Always check HTTP status codes before parsing. A 401 means your token expired, 429 means you hit rate limits. Build retry logic into your VBA modules.

TIP 04

Multi-Account Trading

Use account hash IDs to route orders across multiple linked accounts from a single spreadsheet. Perfect for managing family accounts or different strategies.

TIP 05

Webhook-Style Alerts

Combine Excel's auto-refresh with conditional formatting and email rules to create pseudo-alerts when prices hit your targets.

TIP 06

Historical Data Caching

Store price history locally in a separate sheet. Only fetch new candles on refresh — saves API calls and lets you build technical indicators offline.

Simple, transparent pricing

One-time setup fee. No subscriptions. Source code included with every package.

Starter
DIY Guide
$50

The complete Excel spreadsheet with source code and written setup instructions.

  • API-enabled Excel spreadsheet
  • VBA source code included
  • Step-by-step setup guide
  • Portfolio rebalancing integration
  • Optional trend following support
Purchase Spreadsheet
White Glove
Full Setup
$450

We do everything for you — live screen share, fully configured and tested.

  • Everything in Starter
  • Live 1-on-1 setup session
  • Developer account registration
  • Custom portfolio & strategy design
  • Custom workflow setup
  • 14-day dedicated support
Book Setup Session →
Custom
Enterprise
Custom

Bespoke trading systems, Python integrations, and ongoing consulting.

  • Custom trading algorithms
  • Python / cloud deployment
  • Automated strategy execution
  • Custom UI/dashboard builds
  • Ongoing consulting & support
  • Dedicated Slack channel
Request Estimate
Discord Community
Trader Community
$19/mo

Join a private Discord of traders using the Schwab API. Share ideas, get help, and stay ahead of API changes together.

Join Community →
  • Private community of Schwab API traders
  • Real-time trade idea discussions
  • First access to spreadsheet updates & new features
  • API change alerts & migration help
  • Weekly live Q&A sessions
  • Strategy sharing & code snippets
  • Networking with like-minded traders

Real traders, real results

From day traders to portfolio managers, our clients trade smarter with Excel.

"Using your spreadsheet is so much easier than using the trading web portal. I can see everything I need and place trades in seconds."
Carl E. · MD & Active Trader
"The OAuth setup alone would have taken me days. They had me live in under two hours. Now I run three accounts from one spreadsheet."
James R. · Portfolio Manager
"I migrated from TD Ameritrade and was dreading the API switch. The transition was painless — everything just works."
Sarah M. · Swing Trader
"The AI trading module is surprisingly good. It's not going to replace my judgment, but the entry signals have been solid."
David K. · Algorithmic Trader

Common questions

Everything you need to know before getting started.

What is the Charles Schwab Trader API?
It's Schwab's official API that lets you programmatically access market data, account information, and execute trades. It replaced the old TD Ameritrade API after the merger. You need a separate developer account at developer.schwab.com to use it.
Do I need to know how to code?
Not at all. Our Starter package includes a ready-to-use Excel spreadsheet — you just need to follow the setup instructions or let us do it for you with the White Glove package. If you want to customize, the VBA source code is included and well-commented.
How long does approval take?
After submitting your app on the Schwab Developer Portal, approval typically takes 1–3 business days. During this time, your app will show as "Approved — Pending." Once fully approved, you can begin making API calls.
Is this safe? Can the API access my money?
The API uses OAuth 2.0, the industry standard for secure authentication. Your credentials are never stored in the spreadsheet — only temporary access tokens that expire every 30 minutes. You control exactly which permissions your app has.
What if I was using TDA's API before?
The Schwab API is similar in structure but uses a different authentication flow and endpoint URLs. We handle the full migration — your trading workflows will feel familiar, just on the new infrastructure.
Can I use this with Python instead of Excel?
Yes. Our Custom/Enterprise tier includes Python setup using popular libraries like schwab-py or Schwabdev. We can deploy cloud-based trading bots, automated strategies, and custom dashboards built with Python.
Do you provide ongoing support?
Every White Glove and Team setup includes 14–30 days of dedicated support. For ongoing consulting, custom development, and priority support, we offer monthly retainer arrangements tailored to your needs.

Ready to trade from Excel?

Get set up in a single session. No subscriptions, no complexity.