LumiBot vs Backtrader¶
Backtrader is one of the best-known Python backtesting libraries. LumiBot is a
Python framework for backtesting and live trading that also runs AI agents inside
the strategy. Both are open source and both use a strategy class with a
next-style loop, so moving between them is natural.
At a glance¶
Backtrader |
LumiBot |
|
|---|---|---|
What it is |
Python backtesting library with live trading support |
Python framework for trading strategies and AI trading agents |
License |
GPL-3.0 |
GPL-3.0 |
Backtesting |
Yes, event-driven, 122 built-in indicators, TA-Lib support, resampling and replay, many order types |
Yes, with charts, trade files, logs and tearsheets |
Live trading |
Interactive Brokers (needs IbPy, not on PyPI), Oanda and Visual Chart |
Alpaca, Interactive Brokers, Tradier, Schwab, Tradovate, ProjectX, Bitunix, Polymarket and many crypto exchanges through CCXT |
Assets |
Not listed by asset class; examples cover stocks, futures and forex |
Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, crypto and prediction markets |
AI agents |
None built in |
Built-in LLM agents that research, call tools and place orders. See Build AI Trading Agents in Python with LumiBot. |
Recent activity |
Last commit and PyPI release on April 19, 2023 (version 1.9.78.123) |
Released regularly; see the GitHub releases page |
Hosted option |
Self-hosted |
Self-hosted, or BotSpot for hosted backtests and deployment |
When to choose Backtrader¶
Choose Backtrader if you want a stable, self-contained backtesting library with very few dependencies and a large set of indicators, and you are happy with its current feature set. Many tutorials and books use it.
When to choose LumiBot¶
Choose LumiBot if you want active development, options and broker support beyond Interactive Brokers and Oanda, or AI agents that make decisions inside a backtest you can inspect. The same strategy class runs in a backtest, in paper trading and live.
Moving from Backtrader to LumiBot¶
There is a step-by-step guide: Migrating from Backtrader to LumiBot. In short,
Backtrader’s next() becomes LumiBot’s on_trading_iteration(), and data
feeds become a backtesting data source or a broker.
Try LumiBot with your AI assistant¶
The fastest way to try LumiBot is to let your AI coding assistant do the setup. Install the free LumiBot trading skills in Claude Code, Codex or Cursor with one command, then connect the free BotSpot MCP so your assistant can run backtests in the cloud. See Use LumiBot with Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and VS Code for the exact commands.
What BotSpot MCP adds
Use Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, Cursor, VS Code or another MCP-compatible assistant? Connect the free BotSpot MCP for:
Skills: build LumiBot strategies.
Free data: news, economics and SEC filings.
Backtests: run tests and read charts.
Cloud hosting: low-cost scheduled bots.
Community: share bots and discuss trades.
Marketplace: discover and publish strategies.
Broker linking: connect accounts through BotSpot.
Sources¶
Facts on this page were checked on October 24, 2026, against each project’s own repository and package page. Backtests are simulations and do not promise future returns.