Frequently asked questions
Straight answers. If something's missing, ask in our community.
What is ITMatrixHQ?
ITMatrixHQ is an options market-structure terminal. It visualizes gamma exposure (GEX) across strikes and expirations, streams live charts and option chains, and lets you build a custom workspace of linked widgets — all in one screen, updating through the trading session.
What is GEX and why does it matter?
GEX, or gamma exposure, estimates how options dealers must hedge as price moves. When dealers are long gamma their hedging dampens volatility and can pin price; when they are short gamma it amplifies moves. Reading that structure helps you understand whether the tape is likely to be sticky or slippery. See our Learn section for a full primer.
What data sources does ITMatrixHQ use?
ITMatrixHQ runs its own data pipeline: real-time and historical options and equities market data go in, and GEX, implied volatility and the related analytics are computed on top. The exchanges require everyone who uses live market data to declare whether they use it professionally — you make that declaration once, in the terminal.
How often does the data update?
On Pro, live data streams into the terminal through the session and the GEX grid refreshes on a short cadence. Free access shows a single daily snapshot, taken at 9am, of the GEX view plus low-frequency charts, for a limited set of symbols; free accounts can also use the charting app on a 15-minute delay. Exact refresh rates depend on your plan.
What is the difference between the plans?
Charts is the standalone charting app on its own — $29.99 a month, billed monthly, with the GEX overlay included; free accounts can use it on a 15-minute delay. Basic gives you the full set of views as fixed single-page layouts, and includes the charts product. Pro unlocks the modular workspace canvas — add, resize, link and save your own widget layouts — along with streaming data, index data (SPX, NDX, VIX) and the API Explorer. The API plan (API Pro) is the full API on its own, with or without a web plan.
Is there an API?
Yes. The ITMatrixHQ API is plain REST and JSON — one key, one base URL, and the same numbers the terminal shows: GEX by strike, options analytics and implied volatility, off-exchange activity, prices, fundamentals, and your own journal and watchlists. API Explorer is included with Pro; API Pro is its own plan. Official SDKs for Python (itmatrix) and TypeScript (@itmatrixhq/core) wrap it in typed models, with more languages coming soon. Live streaming is coming soon. Index data, news and social feeds, and the options flow tape stay in the terminal. API access is for non-professional use only.
Can I request a symbol that is not covered?
The supported universe is fixed at launch to keep the terminal fast and the data clean. If a symbol you need is missing, let us know in our community and we will consider it for a future update.
Do I need to be an experienced options trader?
No. The terminal is built for professionals but the Learn section explains the concepts from the ground up, and the interface is designed so the important structure is visible at a glance rather than buried in tables.
Does ITMatrixHQ provide trading advice?
No. ITMatrixHQ is an analytics and data tool. Nothing in the product is financial, investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice, and nothing is a recommendation to buy or sell any security. You are responsible for your own trading decisions.
Is there a community?
Yes. We run a Discord community for product questions, symbol requests, and discussion. A link is in the site footer.