Strategy Lab Pricing
Strategy Lab uses a pay-per-experiment model. You pay only for the AI optimization cycles that actually run.
Cost Structure
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per experiment | $0.50 |
| Maximum experiments per optimization | 30 |
| Maximum cost per optimization | $15.00 |
How Billing Works
Wallet Balance Required
Strategy Lab charges are deducted from your TradeStaq wallet balance. You must have sufficient balance before starting an optimization.
| Experiments Planned | Balance Required |
|---|---|
| 5 | $2.50 |
| 10 | $5.00 |
| 20 | $10.00 |
| 30 | $15.00 |
The full amount is reserved at the start. If the optimization runs fewer experiments than planned, the unused balance is refunded to your wallet.
Prorated Billing on Early Stop
If you stop an optimization early:
- You are charged only for experiments that completed
- Unused reserved funds return to your wallet immediately
- The best strategy version found so far is saved
Example: You start a 20-experiment optimization ($10.00 reserved). After 7 experiments, you see a strong result and stop early. You are charged $3.50 (7 x $0.50) and $6.50 returns to your wallet.
What Counts as an Experiment
Each mutation-backtest cycle counts as one experiment:
- AI generates a mutated version of the strategy
- The mutation is backtested on the training data (70%)
- If it passes training, it is validated on out-of-sample data (30%)
- Results are scored and compared
All four steps together count as a single experiment, regardless of whether the mutation was accepted or reverted.
Adding Wallet Balance
Top up your wallet from the dashboard:
Dashboard -> Settings -> Wallet -> Add Funds
Wallet funds are used for Strategy Lab experiments, marketplace purchases, and other platform services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do failed experiments still cost money?
Yes. Each experiment involves AI computation and backtesting resources, so it is charged whether the mutation improves the strategy or not. Failed experiments are valuable — they inform the AI about what not to try next.
Is there a free trial?
Strategy Lab does not have a separate free trial, but new accounts may receive promotional wallet credits. Check your wallet balance in the dashboard.
Can I set a budget limit?
Yes — the maximum experiments setting acts as your budget cap. Set it to the number of experiments you are willing to pay for. You can always stop early for a partial refund.
Next Steps
- Running an Optimization — Start your first optimization
- Strategy Lab Overview — How the engine works
- Wallet Settings — Manage your wallet balance