Required Live Market Data to Use OptionsApp

Updated: July 14, 20252 min read

To use OptionsApp to its full extent, certain Live Market Data subscriptions with Interactive Brokers (IBKR) are required. These are essential because OptionsApp needs to access live data to execute trades and evaluate Entry Conditions.

Required Live Data

Interactive Brokers offers many selectable packages for live market data and potentially other options besides those presented here to unlock the correct live data. Below we present the market data packages that, based on our experience, represent the most cost-effective option and meet the minimum requirements for OptionsApp.

You must ensure that live data is available for the following underlyings / financial instruments:

SPX Index
SPX/SPXW Options
VIX Index
SPY Options

Why are SPX and VIX data required?

OptionsApp uses SPX and VIX values for Entry Conditions such as:

VIX < 40
SPX EMA 5 > EMA 20

Missing live data for SPX or VIX prevents the app from opening trades.

Market Data Packages at InteractiveBrokers for Private Accounts

Below is a market data package configuration for private accounts with which OptionsApp can be operated without issues:

As you can see in the screenshot, market data costs are partially reimbursed if a certain monthly commission is generated.

Market Data Packages at InteractiveBrokers for Business Accounts (GmbH, UG, ...)

Below is a market data package configuration for business accounts with which OptionsApp can be operated without issues:

How to Check if Live Data is Being Received

To ensure that live data is being received correctly, you can add SPX and VIX to the Watchlist in TWS (Trader Workstation). During regular US market hours, a green or red dot should appear next to the price. If no dots or only yellow dots are visible, the live data is likely missing.

Note on Business Accounts

Business accounts (e.g. GmbH, UG) are subject to different data packages. These will be added in a separate section shortly. The structure of the requirements is comparable, but the available bundles and prices often differ. The reimbursement rules for business accounts are also handled differently.

Note: This article exclusively addresses the requirements for running OptionsApp. Additional data packages may be individually required for other purposes.