TradingView publishes thousands of indicators and most of them are noise. The question is not "what is the best indicator" but "which combination covers structure, volume and timing without cluttering the chart." This is the selection we use, by category, with the reason each one earns a spot.
What makes a TradingView indicator good
Before the list, the filter. An indicator earns a place on your chart if it meets these:
- No repainting. It does not change past signals when new information arrives. Repainting is the #1 reason an indicator that looks "perfect" on history fails live.
- Built-in alerts. So you are not glued to the screen.
- Configurable. Timeframes, sensitivity, structure definitions.
- One clear job. Ten indicators saying the same thing is noise. Each must add a distinct layer.
Best buy/sell indicators (entry signal)
"Buy sell" indicators are the most searched and the most dangerous: many repaint their arrows. A useful one does not promise magic accuracy — it marks an objective event (a liquidity sweep, a change of structure) that you confirm. Prioritise the ones that show the logic behind the arrow, not a black box.
Best volume and VWAP indicators
Volume is context, not a signal. A good volume indicator or a VWAP with deviation bands tells you whether a move has real participation or is an empty push. VWAP with bands is especially useful intraday: price far from VWAP = extension; return to VWAP = institutional decision zone.
Best smart money indicators (SMC/ICT)
This is where we publish for free. If you trade Smart Money Concept you need to automatically detect FVGs, structure (BOS/CHoCH), liquidity sweeps and session levels. These five, published free on the EV Labs profile, cover the full framework:
| Indicator | What it detects |
|---|---|
| EV Fair Value Gaps | FVGs with mitigation tracking |
| BOS + CHoCH | Automatic market structure |
| Liquidity Sweeps | Real-time liquidity sweeps |
| Session Levels | Asia, London and NY highs/lows |
| FVG Probability Engine | Statistical mitigation probability |
How to combine them without cluttering the chart
Rule: one indicator per layer (structure, liquidity, entry, volume). Full SMC flow: bias on H4 with BOS+CHoCH → liquidity zone on H1 with Session Levels → sweep on M15 with Liquidity Sweeps → ChoCH confirmation on M5 → entry on an FVG. Volume/VWAP as a confluence filter, not a trigger.
18 free indicators
All EV Labs indicators — free on TradingView
FVGs, structure, liquidity, session levels and more — no cost, no signup. Or automate the same concepts on MT5 with Master of Liquidity EA.
Indicators are analysis tools. Their use does not guarantee profitability. Trading involves risk of capital loss.