❓ Frequently Asked Questions

ApexVol is a professional options analytics platform that provides real-time options data, Greeks calculations, volatility analysis, and strategy simulation tools. It helps options traders make informed decisions by visualizing complex options data in an intuitive, actionable format.

Key features include:

• Real-time option chains with Greeks (Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega)
• Volatility Lab for smile, surface, and term structure analysis
• Greeks Heatmap for visual risk analysis
• Strategy Simulator for multi-leg position modeling
• Market Overview Scanner for finding opportunities across 8,000+ stocks

ApexVol focuses exclusively on options analytics and education, providing professional-grade tools at an affordable price:

• Purpose-built for options: Unlike brokerage platforms, we focus 100% on options analysis
• Real-time Greeks: Calculate Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega in real-time for all strikes
• Volatility tools: Dedicated tools for smile, surface, and term structure analysis
• Educational focus: Comprehensive guides and tutorials for all skill levels
• Clean interface: No clutter, just the data and tools you need

No, ApexVol is an analytics and educational platform, not a broker. We provide the tools and data to analyze options, but you'll need to execute trades through your broker (TD Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers, Schwab, etc.).

This separation is actually beneficial because it allows us to focus entirely on providing the best analytics tools without the conflicts of interest that brokers may have.

We use professional-grade market data from institutional providers including Polygon.io and Financial Modeling Prep. Our data includes:

• Real-time and delayed options quotes
• Historical options data for backtesting
• Stock prices and fundamentals
• Earnings calendars and corporate events

Greeks are calculated in-house using industry-standard Black-Scholes and binomial models.

ApexVol offers a simple pricing structure:

• Free Demo: Access AAPL options data and all platform features (limited to one ticker)
• Pro Plan: $195/month or $1,950/year (save 17%) - Full access to 8,000+ stocks and all premium features

We offer a 7-day free trial of the Pro plan so you can test all features before committing.

View detailed pricing →

Yes! We offer two ways to try ApexVol:

1. Free AAPL Demo: No registration required, full platform access with AAPL data
2. 7-Day Free Trial: Full Pro access to all tickers when you sign up for a subscription

Start with the AAPL demo, and when you're ready for full access, take advantage of the 7-day trial.

Try AAPL Demo →

You can cancel anytime from your Account page. Simply:

1. Log in to your account
2. Go to Settings → My Account
3. Click "Cancel Subscription"

Your access continues until the end of your billing period. No refunds for partial months, but you keep access until the paid period ends.

Yes! We offer educational discounts for verified students and educators. Contact us at support@apexvol.com with proof of enrollment/employment for discount details.

Yes, Pro subscribers get real-time options data. The free AAPL demo also uses real-time data to showcase the platform's capabilities.

Data updates continuously during market hours and reflects live bid/ask prices, volume, and open interest.

We calculate Greeks in-house using the Black-Scholes model for European-style options and binomial trees for American options. Inputs include:

• Current stock price
• Strike price
• Time to expiration
• Implied volatility (backed out from market prices)
• Risk-free interest rate (based on Treasury yields)

Greeks update in real-time as underlying prices and IV change.

Minor differences in Greeks between platforms are normal and can result from:

• Different pricing models (Black-Scholes vs proprietary models)
• Timing of data feed updates
• Different interest rate assumptions
• Rounding differences

These differences are typically minor (1-5%) and don't materially affect trading decisions. For exact execution Greeks, always defer to your broker's values.

Absolutely! ApexVol is designed for traders at all levels. We provide:

• Beginner Guides: Learn options basics, Greeks, and strategies
• Video Tutorials: Step-by-step walkthroughs of platform features
• Glossary: Definitions of all options terms
• Interactive Tools: Practice with the Strategy Simulator before risking capital

Start with the free AAPL demo and explore our educational resources in the Resources section.

Browse Learning Guides →

For beginners, start with defined-risk strategies:

1. Credit Spreads: Sell premium with limited risk (bull put spreads, bear call spreads)
2. Debit Spreads: Directional trades at lower cost (bull call spreads, bear put spreads)
3. Covered Calls: Generate income on stocks you own
4. Cash-Secured Puts: Buy stocks at a discount while collecting premium

Avoid naked options, straddles, and iron condors until you understand Greeks and risk management.

Learn Credit Spreads →

No, ApexVol does not provide specific trade recommendations or financial advice. We provide:

• Data and analytics tools for your own analysis
• Educational content on strategies and risk management
• Screeners to help you find opportunities

All trading decisions are yours to make. We're a data and education platform, not an advisory service.

The Simulator lets you test "what-if" scenarios for options without risking real money. You can:

• Change stock price: See how option prices and Greeks respond to price movements (±2%, ±5%, ±10%, or custom)
• Simulate time decay: Move the slider to see how options lose value as expiration approaches
• View impact summary: Track changes to ATM call/put prices in real-time

All calculations use the Black-Scholes model with real-time implied volatility data.

IVx (Extrinsic IV %) represents the extrinsic value of an option as a percentage of the stock price. It's calculated as:

IVx = (Extrinsic Value / Stock Price) × 100

For example, if a stock is at $100 and an option has $3 in extrinsic value, IVx = 3%.

Why it's useful:

• Compare premiums across different stock prices
• Quickly identify expensive vs cheap options
• Normalize option costs for easier comparison

The Simulator uses the Black-Scholes model with current market data:

• Real implied volatility: IV is taken from actual option prices
• Standard assumptions: 5% risk-free rate (consistent across simulations)
• Instant recalculation: All Greeks update in real-time

Limitations:

• Assumes IV stays constant (reality: IV changes with price and time)
• Black-Scholes model works best for European-style options
• Does not account for dividend adjustments or early exercise

For most use cases, the Simulator is within 5-10% of actual market prices.

Calls and puts respond oppositely to price movements because of their delta:

• Calls have positive delta: They gain value when stock rises
• Puts have negative delta: They gain value when stock falls

Example: If stock moves from $100 to $110 (+10%)

• ATM call might go from $3.50 → $11.50 (huge gain, now ITM)
• ATM put might go from $3.50 → $0.80 (major loss, now OTM)

Use the Simulator's quick change buttons to see this effect instantly!

Time decay (theta) is the erosion of option value as expiration approaches. All options lose value over time if the stock price doesn't move.

In the Simulator:

1. Load any ticker and expiration
2. Use the "Time Decay Simulation" slider
3. Move it right to simulate time passing
4. Watch option prices decrease even if stock price stays the same

Key insights:

• ATM options have the highest theta (lose value fastest)
• Deep ITM/OTM options have lower theta
• Theta accelerates as expiration approaches (last week is brutal)
• Sellers profit from theta, buyers lose to it

Currently, the Simulator shows one scenario at a time. However, you can:

• Quickly switch between scenarios using the quick change buttons
• Adjust both price AND time simultaneously
• Use the Reset button to return to original values

Workflow tip: Open multiple browser tabs to compare different expirations side-by-side!

📋 Coming soon: Side-by-side scenario comparison and saved simulation presets.

The Impact Summary shows how your simulation affects at-the-money (ATM) options:

• Price Change: Your simulated stock move in $ and %
• Time Passed: How many days you've simulated
• ATM Call Impact: Change in ATM call price (green = gained, red = lost)
• ATM Put Impact: Change in ATM put price (green = gained, red = lost)

Example interpretation:

Price Change: +$5.00 (+5%)
Time Passed: 7 days
ATM Call Impact: +$2.45
ATM Put Impact: -$1.80

This means: Stock up 5%, call gained $2.45, put lost $1.80, both affected by 7 days of theta decay.

For support inquiries:

• Email: support@apexvol.com
• Response Time: Within 24 hours (usually faster)

For billing questions, contact billing@apexvol.com

ApexVol works best on modern browsers:

• Chrome (recommended)
• Firefox
• Safari
• Edge

We recommend keeping your browser updated to the latest version for the best experience.

ApexVol is currently a web-based platform optimized for desktop use. While you can access it on mobile browsers, the full experience is best on a laptop or desktop with a larger screen.

A dedicated mobile app is on our roadmap for future development.