Best Platforms & Tools Every ICT Trader Needs — Set Your Charts Like a Pro

Table of Content

Learn which platforms and tools (like TradingView and economic calendars) are essential for ICT trader. Beginner-friendly guide to set up your charts like a pro.

Introduction

Imagine trying to build a house with only a hammer. Possible? Maybe. Effective? Definitely not. Trading works the same way. You may have ICT concepts in mind, but without the right tools, your charts will always feel messy and confusing. That’s why every trader needs a solid platform setup before diving into market analysis.

In this article, we’ll cover:

Which platforms most ICT traders use
Why TradingView is the go-to choice
Why an economic calendar matters more than most people think
Simple setup steps to make your chart clean, clear, and professional

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to set up your trading desk — even if all you have is just your laptop or mobile.

Why Platforms Matter in ICT Trading

Most beginners think learning ICT is only about “concepts.” But here’s the reality:

Wrong platform → You waste time struggling with messy charts.
Right platform → You focus on what truly matters: price, structure, liquidity.

Trading tools don’t make you profitable by themselves, but they make your process smoother and more efficient.

TradingView — The ICT Trader’s Playground

If ICT had to pick one charting platform for beginners, it would be TradingView.

Why?

Because it offers:

Clean Charts: Easy to hide indicators and keep charts simple.
Multi-Timeframe View: Switch between daily, 4H, 1H, 15M with a single click.
Drawing Tools: Mark POIs, liquidity zones, and order blocks clearly.
Mobile Friendly: Perfect for traders who study charts on the go.

👉 Pro Tip: Start with the free version. Upgrade later only if you need more alerts or multiple charts.

Economic Calendar — Don’t Ignore This

Ever placed a trade and suddenly the market spiked against you? Chances are, it was news release time.

An economic calendar (like Forex Factory or Investing.com) tells you when major events (like interest rate decisions, CPI, NFP) are coming.

Why it matters for ICT traders:

Smart money often uses news events to manipulate liquidity.
Knowing the schedule protects you from entering trades blindly.
You learn to connect fundamental triggers with technical setups.

👉 Golden Rule: Always check the calendar before trading. One glance can save you from unexpected losses.

Keep It Simple — No Fancy Indicators

Many beginners overload their charts with RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, and still feel lost.

ICT is about price action, structure, and liquidity.
So, keep your chart minimal:

Candlesticks
Horizontal lines for POIs
Maybe a session indicator (optional)

That’s it. The cleaner your chart, the clearer your mind.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Chart

Here’s a quick guide for a beginner ICT chart setup

1. Open TradingView → Select your market (XAUUSD, EURUSD, NAS100, etc.)
2. Remove default indicators → Keep only candlesticks.
3. Add horizontal lines for key highs/lows (liquidity).
4. Mark POIs like order blocks or FVGs.
5. Save your layout → So you don’t start from scratch every time.

👉 Think of this as building your “trading desk.” Once it’s neat, analysis feels natural.

Why It Matters

Most beginners skip this step. They jump straight to entries and wonder why everything feels random.

It’s like trying to cook without cleaning the kitchen first — messy, confusing, and frustrating.

A proper chart setup saves time, reduces stress, and helps you see ICT concepts more clearly.

What exactly should you put on that chart?

In the next article, we’ll build your Chart Template step-by-step:
• Which timeframes to use
• How to structure your analysis
• What not to add (common beginner mistakes)

👉 Don’t miss Article #4 — Chart Template: Build Your ICT Layout [Link: #ChartTemplate]