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Here is a 2500+ word blog post on the best options trading courses:
Options trading can be an extremely profitable yet risky endeavor. With the right knowledge and skills, traders can leverage options to hedge positions, speculate on market moves, and generate income. However, without proper education, many traders lose money and exit the market.
That‘s why choosing the right options trading course is critical. The best courses teach you options theory, trading strategies, risk management, and real-world application. With this foundation, traders can thrive in all market environments.
I‘ve compiled this definitive guide on the top 8 options trading courses based on content, instructor quality, price, and reviews. Whether you‘re a complete beginner or a seasoned trader, there‘s a course that matches your experience level and budget.
Best Options Trading Courses
1. Option Alpha
Best For: Beginners seeking a structured curriculum at no cost
Created by Kirk Du Plessis, Option Alpha offers free beginner, intermediate, and advanced video courses totaling over 15 hours of content. The structured curriculum serves as an options trading education pathway to take traders from zero to consistently profitable.
While the course library is completely free, Option Alpha also offers mentoring programs and live trade alerts for purchase. The platform and courses are regularly updated as Kirk and his team continue testing new options strategies.
Key Features
- 15+ hours of organized video content
- Foundational to advanced level courses
- Free access forever with no strings attached
- Active community support and new lessons
Overall, Option Alpha is ideal for new traders to not just learn about options, but also develop sound trading habits.
2. TD Ameritrade Education
Best For: Traders seeking free education tied to a brokerage
Brokerage firms like TD Ameritrade have an interest in educating their clients to become more active traders. TD Ameritrade offers hundreds of free trading courses, videos, and in-person events covering everything from options and technical analysis to risk management and retirement planning.
Since the education ties directly into the Thinkorswim and TD Ameritrade trading platforms, traders can easily fund accounts and put knowledge to work. Active traders may also benefit from $0 dollar commissions.
Key Features
- 300+ free trading courses and videos
- Education centers around TD platforms
- $0 commissions for active traders
- In-person events and support network
For those looking to learn with a community while saving on commissions, TD Ameritrade is a leading choice.
3. The Complete Foundation Stock Trading Course
Best For: Investors getting started with technical analysis
Created by Mohsen Hassan for Udemy, this course packs 9 hours of content explaining stock trading basics, technical/chart analysis, risk management fundamentals, and more. Since options trading builds on common trading knowledge, the course effectively prepares new investors looking to specialize in options.
With a solo instructor in Mohsen, students receive a consistent foundation across the entire curriculum. For $40, enrollment comes with lifetime course access.
Key Features
- 9 hours of organized video content
- Technical analysis for beginners
- Risk management education
- Accessible for only $40
For investors needing to establish core trading competencies, this Udemy course delivers a wealth of beginner knowledge.
4. Derivatives, Options & Futures
Best For: Traders pursuing intermediate knowledge
Created by the Intercontinental Exchange for Coursera, this specialized course dives into options and derivatives trading with 16 hours of video lectures. The content prepares traders to utilize options, futures, and derivatives contracts.
Taught by university-level instructors, course enrollment gives traders access to the full curriculum, quizzes, and a shareable certificate upon completion. Traders can also test knowledge in practice environments.
Key Features
- Specialized options and derivatives course
- 16 hours of university-level content
- Shareable completion certificate
- Hands-on practice trading environments
For traders looking to further option knowledge or become derivatives traders, this Coursera course delivers robust education.
5. Bullish Bears Options Course
Best For: Active traders seeking a monthly membership
Bullish Bears offers a $50 monthly membership providing complete access to their stock and options trading courses plus extras. Over 50 videos explain options strategies, technical/chart analysis, paper trading, and more surrounding short and long-term trading.
Since Bullish Bears is an active trading community, members also get daily watch lists, proprietary scans, chat rooms, and regular webinars. Hence, active options traders receive both quality education and actionable trade ideas.
Key Features
- >50 strategy and technical analysis videos
- Complete options and stock trading curriculum
- Daily watch lists and scans
- Active Discord and chat community
For active traders seeking community, ongoing education, and trade ideas in one platform, Bullish Bears delivers substantial value at $50 per month.
6. Options Trading for Rookies
Best For: Beginners seeking foundational knowledge
Created by instructors at SharperTrader.com, this 2.5 hour Udemy course simplifies options trading concepts for true novices. Key investing and options basics are covered through 40 concise video lectures you can complete in a weekend.
The limited scope enables new traders to establish options foundations before pursuing wider educations. Lifetime access starts at $90 with sale discounts down to $12.
Key Features
- 40 beginner lectures
- Covers all core options concepts
- Concise 2.5 hour course
- Access for as low as $12
If you‘re brand new to options and investing altogether, this course will provide the introductory knowledge needed to understand more advanced training.
7. Futures, Options & Swaps
Best For: Traders pursuing professional credentials
Offered through edX by the New York Institute of Finance, this 6-week intensive course prepares students for derivatives and options trading roles. The $250 course mimics university-level finance programs granting a shareable certificate of completion equal to 30 hours of study.
Taught by Jack Farmer and Chris Thomas, traders receive an immersive education through lessons, quizzes, team projects and hands-on trading. Course graduates walk away with industry-recognized education for their resumes.
Key Features
- Professional certificate upon completion
- 30 hours of intensive finance study
- University-equivalent curriculum
- Hands-on simulated trading
For anyone pursuing professional credentials or a career in options trading, this course delivers reputable training for your resume.
8. High Probability Options Strategies
Best For: Traders seeking free intermediate training
Offered for free through Alison, this 3-hour course focuses on advanced options strategies to boost probability of profit. Created by pro trader Kal Zurn, lessons cover straddles, strangles, ratio spreads, iron condors, and more in 40 video lectures.
Since courses are free yet thorough, traders looking to expand strategy knowledge on a budget can enroll without financial risk. Certificates of completion are also included for resume building.
Key Features
- Free access to intermediate material
- 3 hours teaching 7 strategies
- Specialized advanced content
- Shareable completion certificate
For traders with experience seeking free strategy education, Alison delivers a $0 course covering advanced options concepts.
How to Choose an Options Trading Course
With countless courses available, it can be overwhelming deciding which options education is right for your experience level and goals. Here are key factors traders should consider:
- Experience Level – Match course difficulty with your existing knowledge. Beginner courses provide foundation while intermediate/advanced course teach complex strategies.
- Comprehensiveness – Look for organized courses that cover all aspects to options trading, not just concepts in isolation.
- Instructor Quality – Courses taught by reputable traders will share practical insights not found in textbooks.
- Teaching Style – Learning is enhanced when instructors actively engage audience using examples, stories, etc.
- Hands-On Practice – Apply knowledge by paper trading or using brokerage education tools.
- Community Access – Chat rooms and forums to ask questions not covered in course materials.
- Certification – Courses offering shareable certificates verify course completion to outside parties.
- Price – Consider free courses, one-time payments, or monthly memberships offering the best education per dollar spent.
Selecting a course well-matched to your specific needs and learning preferences will determine if the time and money invested pays dividends in better trading performance.
Options Trading Jobs
The right options trading education can open doors to new career opportunities with attractive six-figure income potential. Here are common jobs traders land after developing options expertise:
- Proprietary Trader – Trade firm capital to realize zero personal financial risk.
- Hedge Fund Trader – Employ options strategies to hedge risky portfolio positions.
- Registered Investment Advisor – Advise clients on options strategies tailored to financial goals.
- Quantitative Analyst – Create complex options trading models, algorithms, and analysis.
- Software Developer – Build cutting-edge trading platforms used by retail and institutional traders.
Roles within top prop shops, hedge funds, RIAs, and financial technology firms offer variety for those passionate about options, trading, statistics, technology or finance.
The Best Options Trading Course Is…
While all featured courses deliver immense value, Option Alpha stands out as the best options trading course. By covering fundamentals to advanced concepts through hundreds of free videos, new traders can access complete education without any financial hurdles.
As skills develop, the Option Alpha community provides ongoing support, new video lessons, and optional mentoring programs to invest in. Plus, founder Kirk Du Plessis offers full transparency applying his options strategies across a real money account.
So for online options trading courses that are comprehensive, beginner-friendly, and completely free, Option Alpha leads the industry by a sizable margin. The platform enables self-driven traders to learn diverse option strategies at their own pace backed by an engaged support network.