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Flow Proof vs Cheddar Flow

M
By Matt
Mining engineer turned options trader. Built Flow Proof because the existing tools weren't worth what they charged.

Cheddar Flow is a popular options flow scanner known for its real-time flow feed and dark pool data. Flow Proof isn't a flow tool. It's a free put-selling scanner and trade tracker for traders who sell premium for income. Quick disclosure: I build Flow Proof, so I'll be clear about where it fits and where Cheddar Flow is the better pick.

Feature Comparison

FEATURE
FLOW PROOF
CHEDDAR FLOW
Price
Free ($5/mo AI Pro optional)
$75 to $99/mo
Real-time options flow alerts
No
Yes
Dark pool data
No
Yes (Professional plan)
Net flow analysis
No
Yes
Put-selling scanner (IV Rank, A to F grades)
Yes
No
AI trade analysis
Yes (3/day free)
No
Trade blotter with roll advice
Yes
No
Wheel strategy tracker
Yes
No
Market regime view
Yes (VIX, Fear & Greed, yield curve)
Market sentiment tools
Trial
Not needed, it's free
7 days free

About Cheddar Flow

Cheddar Flow is an options flow and dark pool analytics platform that provides real-time options flow data, unusual activity alerts, dark pool prints, and market sentiment analysis. The platform targets active options traders who want to follow institutional money flow.

Pricing: Cheddar Flow Standard is $85/month. Professional (with dark pool data and AI-powered alerts) is $99/month, or $75/month billed yearly (about $900). They offer a 7-day free trial.

Full Cheddar Flow pricing breakdown, plan by plan →

Cheddar Flow Strengths

+ Clean, focused interface designed for speed
+ Strong dark pool data and analysis
+ Real-time options flow with good filtering tools
+ Net flow analysis shows aggregate institutional positioning
+ A real 7-day free trial, not a paid one

Cheddar Flow Weaknesses

- $85/month Standard, $99/month for full features
- Dark pool and AI alerts locked behind the Professional plan
- Flow still needs interpreting, since many large trades are hedges
- No put premium scanner or income strategy tools

Why Choose Flow Proof

✓ Free, with no credit card and no trial clock
✓ If your goal is selling puts for income, the scanner grades 25 stocks A to F every day, with IV Rank and IV/HV
✓ AI trade analysis on any symbol: 3 a day free, unlimited with AI Pro at $5/month
✓ Trade blotter with live P&L and breakevens, plus a wheel tracker with AI roll advice
✓ Roll calculator, payoff diagrams, and an assignment analyzer, all free
VISUAL

The Wheel Strategy Cycle

Each phase generates income. Assignment isn't a failure — it's the transition to the next income-producing phase.

↓SELL PUT◆ASSIGNED↑SELL CALL✓CALLED AWAYTHE WHEELCollect premium atevery phase
1SELL PUT— Collect premium
Sell cash-secured put on a stock you want to own at a lower price
2ASSIGNED— Buy shares at strike
Put expires ITM → you buy 100 shares. Cost basis = strike − premium
3SELL CALL— Collect more premium
Sell covered call above cost basis. Theta works for you again
4CALLED AWAY— Sell shares at strike
Call expires ITM → shares sold at profit. Restart the wheel

The wheel strategy generates income at every phase. Phase 1: sell a cash-secured put and collect premium ($150-400/month on a typical $50 stock). Phase 2: if assigned, your cost basis is the strike minus all premiums collected. Phase 3: sell covered calls against your shares to collect even more premium. Phase 4: when shares are called away, you've profited from the put premium, call premiums, and any stock appreciation. Then the wheel restarts.

Flow Proof trade blotter showing active options positions, wheel tracker with AI analysis, and real-time P&L tracking
Flow Proof in action — track puts, manage wheel positions, and get AI-powered rolling recommendations all in one place. Try it free →

The Verdict

If you want to follow institutional flow and dark pool levels, Cheddar Flow is the tool, and Flow Proof is not a substitute. Use the 7-day free trial to see if it changes your trades before paying $85 to $99/month. If you mainly sell puts or run the wheel, you don't need a flow feed. Flow Proof grades put-selling setups, runs AI analysis, and tracks your trades for free.

Flow Proof Is Free

Put premium scanner with A to F setup grades, AI trade analysis, and a trade blotter with roll advice. No credit card required.

Open Scanner →
View pricing & plans

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Flow Proof cheaper than Cheddar Flow?

Yes, Flow Proof is free, with an optional $5/month AI Pro plan. But it's not the same kind of tool. Cheddar Flow is an options flow and dark pool platform. Flow Proof is a put-selling scanner and trade tracker.

How much does Cheddar Flow cost?

Standard is $85/month. Professional is $99/month, or $75/month billed yearly (about $900). There's a 7-day free trial.

Does Flow Proof have dark pool data?

No. Flow Proof has no dark pool data or flow alerts. If dark pool levels are why you're looking at Cheddar Flow, you need its Professional plan.

Can I try Cheddar Flow before paying?

Yes, Cheddar Flow has a 7-day free trial that converts to a paid plan when it ends. Flow Proof doesn't need a trial since the whole product is free.

Is there a free alternative to Cheddar Flow?

For options flow, Unusual Whales has a free plan with delayed data. For selling puts, Flow Proof is free, but it's a put-selling scanner, not a flow feed.

Continue Learning

Choosing between Cheddar Flow and Flow Proof is mostly a question of what you'll do with the flow data once you have it. These guides cover the fundamentals that any options flow tool — including this one — assumes you already understand.

What Is Unusual Options Activity?
How to tell whether a whale trade is bullish, bearish, or just a hedge
How to Read Options Flow
Sweeps vs. blocks, ask-side vs. bid-side, and what actually matters
Options Flow Conviction Scoring
The 20+ signals that separate real institutional positioning from noise
Best Options Flow Scanners — Honest Review
I tested every major flow tool. Here's what each one is actually good for.

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