🧠 Naked Charts vs. Indicator Charts: Which Is Better?

This is a debate as old as trading itself — and today, I want to break it down from a practical, no-BS perspective.

I’ve traded both styles. I’ve mentored traders who swear by one or the other. And my personal strategy? It actually blends the best of both.

Let’s dive into the real differences, pros, cons, and when to use each.

🧼 What Are Naked Charts?

Naked chart trading (also called price action trading) means you're analyzing raw candlestick structure with no indicators on the screen. You rely on:

• Support and resistance

• Breaks and retests

• Market structure shifts

• Candlestick patterns

There’s nothing to "help" you — which can feel overwhelming at first. But when mastered, it’s incredibly powerful.

✅ Pros:

• Clean, uncluttered screen = clearer decisions

• Forces you to understand structure

• High adaptability to any market
  

❌ Cons:

• Steeper learning curve

• No “confirmation” safety net

• Easy to second-guess yourself early on
  

💡 What About Indicator-Based Charts?

Indicators are tools — moving averages, RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, and custom ones like my Starlight Indicator.

They provide signals to support your entries and exits. They don’t "predict," but they can highlight high-probability setups when used properly.

✅ Pros:

• Clear visual cues for entries/exits

• Easier for newer traders to follow

• Helpful for automation or signal-based trading

❌ Cons:

• Can clutter your screen fast

• Tempting to over-rely on them

• Lagging by nature — they react, not predict

⚖️ Which Is Better?

The truth? Neither is better — unless it suits your style.

I lean slightly toward naked charts because I believe structure beats signals. But I still use indicators — in moderation — to streamline decision-making and stay consistent.

In fact, one of my key strategies uses a custom indicator to alert me to setups I’d spot anyway. It’s not a crutch — it’s a shortcut.

🧭 What Should You Use?

Here’s a simple rule:

• If you’re still learning structure → start with indicators to simplify things.

• If you want maximum control → work toward naked charts as your base.

But no matter which path you take:📌 Your edge is in the rules, not the tools.

🎧 Want the Full Conversation?

Listen to the podcast episode where I break all this down:Naked Charts vs Indicator Charts — Which One Wins?Now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Patreon.

👇 Ready to Level Up?

If you want to trade clean, structured strategies with full transparency — check out:

• 💼 My mentorships (10-week or 20-week)

• 🛠 The Starlight Indicator — just $25/month

• 📲 My crypto signals group with real-time alerts and a full trade log

Message me to get started or visit the site.