Five Best Free Trading Indicators On TradingView For Beginners

TradingView has become one of the most popular platforms for crypto traders. It offers a wide range of free indicators that help both new and experienced traders analyze markets. For beginners, these tools can provide a foundation for understanding price trends, identifying entry and exit points, and managing risk.

This guide covers the best free TradingView indicators that every crypto beginner should explore. Each indicator is explained in simple terms, with clear instructions on how to use them effectively in crypto trading.

Moving Averages (SMA and EMA)

What they are

Moving Averages help smooth out price data to identify trends over time. TradingView offers two key types. The Simple Moving Average (SMA) calculates the average closing price over a specific period, giving equal weight to all data points.

The Exponential Moving Average (EMA) gives more weight to recent prices, making it more responsive to recent price changes. These tools help traders filter out noise and determine overall market direction.

How to use

• Use a 50-period and 200-period SMA to identify long-term trends.
• When the 50 SMA crosses above the 200 SMA, it often signals a bullish trend (golden cross).
• A downward cross can indicate a bearish reversal (death cross).
• In an uptrend, look for price pullbacks to the 20 EMA for potential entries.
• Use moving averages as a trend filter — only take buy signals when the price is above the 200 SMA.

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

What it is

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator that measures the speed and change of recent price movements. It ranges from 0 to 100 and is used to identify overbought or oversold conditions. Values above 70 suggest an asset might be overbought, while values below 30 indicate it may be oversold. This helps traders gauge potential reversal points and momentum shifts.

How to use

• Look for RSI below 30 to spot potential buying opportunities.
• An RSI above 70 can signal that the asset may be due for a pullback.
• Watch for bullish divergence: price makes a lower low, but RSI makes a higher low.
• Look for bearish divergence: price makes a higher high, but RSI shows a lower high.
• Use RSI in conjunction with trendlines or support/resistance levels to improve accuracy.

Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD)

What it is

MACD is a trend-following momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two moving averages of an asset’s price. It consists of the MACD line (the difference between the 12-period and 26-period EMAs), the signal line (a nine-period EMA of the MACD line), and a histogram that represents the distance between the two. It helps identify momentum direction and strength.

How to use

• A bullish signal occurs when the MACD line crosses above the signal line.
• A bearish signal appears when the MACD line crosses below the signal line.
• Watch for growing histogram bars to confirm strong trend momentum.
• Shrinking histogram bars may suggest a trend is weakening.
• Use MACD on higher timeframes (four-hour or daily) to reduce false signals.

Bollinger Bands

What they are

Bollinger Bands are volatility indicators that consist of a 20-period moving average (middle band) and two standard deviation lines (upper and lower bands). They expand and contract based on market volatility. When prices move close to the upper band, the asset may be overbought; near the lower band, it could be oversold. This helps traders identify potential reversal or breakout zones.

How to use

• Use the lower band as a potential support level during pullbacks.
• Use the upper band as potential resistance in uptrends.
• A Bollinger Band squeeze (narrowing bands) signals low volatility and possible breakout.
• Enter long trades when price breaks above the upper band with volume.
• Consider short trades if price breaks below the lower band in a downtrend.

Volume Profile (Visible Range)

What it is

Volume Profile (Visible Range) displays how much volume was traded at each price level within the visible area of the chart. It highlights high-volume areas (High Volume Nodes or HVNs) where traders have previously been active and low-volume areas (Low Volume Nodes or LVNs) where price moved quickly. This helps identify key support and resistance zones.

How to use

• Look for HVNs to identify strong support and resistance areas.
• Use LVNs to anticipate fast price moves through low-volume zones.
• When price approaches a high-volume node, expect potential consolidation or reversal.
• Trade breakouts through LVNs with caution but expect quick moves.
• Combine with price action to confirm key levels.

On-Balance Volume (OBV)

What it is

On-Balance Volume (OBV) is a cumulative volume indicator that measures buying and selling pressure. It adds volume when the price closes higher and subtracts volume when the price closes lower. The idea is that volume precedes price, so if OBV moves sharply in one direction, it may signal a future price move.

How to use

• Rising OBV during an uptrend confirms strong buyer interest.
• If price increases while OBV decreases, it may signal a weakening trend.
• A breakout in OBV before price breaks out can signal early momentum.
• Use OBV trendlines to identify shifts in buying or selling pressure.
• Look for OBV confirmation when testing resistance or support levels.

Putting it all together

For beginners, it’s important not to rely on a single indicator. Instead, use them in combination to improve the reliability of trading decisions:

• Use Moving Averages to determine trend direction.
• Combine with RSI or MACD to confirm momentum.
• Use Bollinger Bands to assess volatility and time entries.
• Validate key price zones with Volume Profile.
• Use OBV to confirm whether volume supports the price action.

Start with two or three of these indicators and practice in a demo environment on TradingView. Focus on recognizing patterns, following trends, and identifying high-probability trade setups before committing real capital.

Final thoughts

TradingView’s free indicators offer a strong foundation for beginner crypto traders. They provide tools to understand market structure, track momentum, and manage risk. While these indicators are powerful, no tool guarantees success. Use them to support your analysis, not replace it.

Stick to simple strategies. Combine a few well-understood indicators and build your confidence through practice. Over time, you’ll develop the discipline and skills to make more consistent trading decisions.

With a thoughtful approach and the right use of indicators, TradingView can become an essential part of your crypto trading journey.