What happened to FlowAlgo?
By Faizan Ahmad. Updated .
FlowAlgo took its service offline on October 30, 2026. Its own notice says Cboe is discontinuing a product at the core of FlowAlgo's data processing and the replacement pipeline isn't ready, so it stopped new flow, canceled every subscription on October 30 with prorated refunds, and paused sign-ups and trials. Existing data stays viewable for free until November 13, 2026, and FlowAlgo promises an all-new platform, plus a new product called FlowAlgo Human, in Q1 2027. Until then, former members need another options flow tool.
Why did FlowAlgo go offline?
FlowAlgo says Cboe is discontinuing a product that sits at the core of how FlowAlgo processes its data. The replacement pipeline isn't ready, and rather than run on data it couldn't stand behind, FlowAlgo paused the service. It has not named the Cboe product, and we won't guess.
This is a pause, not a closure: FlowAlgo describes a relaunch, not a wind-down.
What happens to my FlowAlgo subscription and refund?
All subscriptions were canceled on October 30, 2026, with prorated refunds for the unused time, calculated as of that date. You don't need to do anything to stop future charges. FlowAlgo hasn't published a standing refund policy beyond this, so for timing on a specific refund, check its update page or contact its support.
Can I still log in and see FlowAlgo data?
Yes, until November 13, 2026. Existing data stays viewable for free until then. No new options flow, block or dark pool data has been added since October 30, so anything you see there is history, not live flow.
Is FlowAlgo coming back?
FlowAlgo says an all-new platform will launch in Q1 2027, with real-time notifications among the promised features, alongside a new product called FlowAlgo Human. Pricing for the new platform will be announced before launch. Its old homepage still shows plan prices and a trial offer from the previous service; those are not current, and nothing is for sale today.
What was FlowAlgo known for?
FlowAlgo launched in 2017 as one of the first options flow services for retail traders. It showed sweeps, blocks and dark pool prints, and it coined the term "Golden Sweep" (our guide explains what a golden sweep is). Its pitch was curated, filtered flow rather than a raw tape, in the browser with no phone app. Its old homepage said dark pool and block data was delayed up to 20 minutes.
What should FlowAlgo users use instead?
Every tool below was selling plans as of October 2026. Prices checked October 31, 2026; Cheddar Flow's come from its pricing page as archived on October 9, 2026, because its site blocks automated checks.
| Tool | Live flow from | Dark pool prints | Good fit for a former FlowAlgo user who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unusual Whales | $50 a month | Yes; says real time | Wants the full tape plus GEX, Congress trades and phone apps, and a free tier to learn on |
| Cheddar Flow | $85 a month | Pro ($99 a month, or $75 billed yearly); says real time | Wants a focused flow feed and a 7-day trial on the Standard plan |
| Quant Data | $74.99 a month | Yes | Wants deep dealer exposure (GEX, DEX, VEX, CHEX) and a 7-day trial |
| InsiderFinance | $75 a month, or $55 billed yearly | Yes; says real time | Wants one all-in plan with trading courses |
| BullFlow | $396 a year (Basic) | Premium, $708 a year; says real time | Wants a low yearly price for live flow, gamma and AI alerts |
| Tradytics | $39 a month or $299 a year (Live) | Within about 15 minutes, with 10-session levels | Wants flow, dark pool, gamma, research and an AI analyst in one app, and a Free plan to test with |
Our full FlowAlgo alternatives guide covers who each one fits, and the best options flow apps ranks the wider field.
How to find FlowAlgo-style trades on another tool
What FlowAlgo members watched for travels to any tool: big premium, an aggressive buyer, and size bigger than the open interest. On October 30, 2026 at 3:18 PM ET, 5,350 Citigroup (C) December 18 $75 calls traded against open interest of 2,675, for $24.82M, bought at the ask. In the same minute, 4,270 of the $72.50 calls traded against open interest of 2,133, for $20.86M, also at the ask.
That pair had all three marks. Buying at the ask means the buyer paid up. Volume about twice the open interest means most of it was likely new positions, not closing trades. Two strikes bought in the same minute suggests one buyer building a position. It still isn't proof of a bullish bet: a large call buyer can be covering a short stock position, and no tool sees the other side of a trader's book.
On Tradytics, the live options flow page shows every large print with a side chip (Above ask, At ask, To ask, Mid, To bid, At bid, Below bid), a type (Sweep, Block, Split or Single) and an Opening tag when size beats open interest. The AI analyst can also tell you whether a big print looks like a hedge, a spread or a fresh bet. The Tradytics vs FlowAlgo page compares the two for former members.
Do I need real-time dark pool data to replace FlowAlgo?
No. FlowAlgo's own dark pool feed was delayed up to 20 minutes, and for reading levels that matters little, because dark pool prints are after-the-fact reports by nature. Off-exchange trades are reported to FINRA after they execute, and the biggest ones (negotiated blocks, average-price and portfolio trades) are often reported late, sometimes hours later, at a price from earlier in the day. Tradytics shows prints within about 15 minutes of their report and builds levels from 10 sessions of prints, which is what dark pool data is good for. Read more on whether dark pool data is real time.
Common questions
Is FlowAlgo shut down for good?
No. FlowAlgo calls it a pause and promises an all-new platform in Q1 2027. No exact date or price has been announced.
Will I get a refund from FlowAlgo?
Yes, a prorated one. FlowAlgo canceled all subscriptions on October 30, 2026 and refunds the unused time as of that date.
Can I still sign up for FlowAlgo?
No. New sign-ups and trials are paused until the new platform launches, and pricing will be announced before launch.
How long can I see my FlowAlgo data?
Until November 13, 2026. Nothing new has been added since October 30.
What is FlowAlgo Human?
A new product FlowAlgo announced alongside the relaunch. It has named it but not described what it does yet.
Sources
- FlowAlgo update: the October 30, 2026 shutdown, the Cboe reason, canceled subscriptions, prorated refunds, data access until November 13 and the Q1 2027 relaunch.
- FlowAlgo plans page: no new subscriptions or trials, and pricing to be revealed before launch.
- Unusual Whales pricing: Retail Basic at $50 a month.
- Quant Data: $74.99 a month with a 7-day trial, and its exposure tools.
- InsiderFinance pricing: $75 monthly, $65 quarterly, $55 a month billed yearly.