What is Ainvest Options Pilot?

Ainvest Options Pilot is a free options screener and scoring platform that analyzes 5,900+ stocks daily using a 5-pillar scoring system. It evaluates Value (IV rank), Sentiment (put/call ratios), Activity (volume), Liquidity (spreads), and Timing (catalysts) to help retail traders find options opportunities with institutional-grade data.

How does the 5-pillar options scoring system work?

The 5-pillar scoring system analyzes 650+ data points per ticker across five dimensions: Value measures if IV is cheap or expensive using IV rank and percentile; Sentiment analyzes put/call ratios and open interest skew; Activity detects unusual volume and block trades; Liquidity evaluates bid-ask spreads and open interest depth; Timing considers earnings proximity and time decay. Each pillar scores 0-100, combining into an overall Options Opportunity Score.

Is Ainvest Options Pilot free?

Yes, Ainvest Options Pilot is free during the beta period. You can screen 5,900+ stocks, view 5-pillar scores, and access strategy recommendations at no cost.

What options strategies does Options Pilot support?

Options Pilot supports multiple strategies including the wheel strategy (cash-secured puts and covered calls), long calls and puts, bull/bear spreads, iron condors, iron butterflies, straddles, strangles, calendar spreads, LEAPS, and PMCC (poor man's covered call). The system recommends strategies based on each stock's current scoring profile.

What is IV rank and why is it important for options trading?

IV rank (Implied Volatility Rank) measures where current implied volatility stands relative to its 52-week range, expressed as a percentage from 0-100. An IV rank of 80 means current IV is in the top 20% of its yearly range. High IV rank often signals overpriced options (good for selling premium), while low IV rank suggests underpriced options (good for buying). Options Pilot uses IV rank as a core component of the Value pillar.

How often is the options data updated?

Options Pilot data is updated daily using end-of-day market data. Scores are calculated pre-market each trading day, so you see fresh analysis before the market opens. This includes updated IV rank, open interest changes, volume analysis, and adjusted strategy recommendations for 5,900+ optionable stocks.

What is gamma exposure (GEX) and how does Options Pilot use it?

Gamma exposure (GEX) measures how market makers' hedging activity affects stock prices. Options Pilot identifies gamma levels including put walls (support) and call walls (resistance) where dealer hedging creates price floors or ceilings. Positive GEX environments tend to suppress volatility, while negative GEX amplifies moves. This analysis is part of the Activity pillar scoring.

Can I use Options Pilot for the wheel strategy?

Yes, Options Pilot is excellent for wheel strategy traders. The screener identifies stocks with favorable conditions for cash-secured puts and covered calls: high IV rank (better premiums), strong liquidity (tight spreads), supportive gamma levels (put walls as natural support), and good sentiment signals. Filter for wheel-friendly setups using the strategy presets.

How does Options Pilot differ from other options screeners?

Unlike basic screeners that only show prices and Greeks, Options Pilot provides a holistic 5-pillar scoring system that evaluates opportunity quality across Value, Sentiment, Activity, Liquidity, and Timing. It analyzes 650+ data points per ticker, identifies gamma support/resistance levels, detects unusual activity, and recommends specific strategies based on current market conditions.

What stocks does Options Pilot cover?

Options Pilot covers 5,900+ optionable stocks including all S&P 500 components, popular ETFs like SPY, QQQ, and IWM, and high-liquidity individual stocks. Coverage includes mega-caps, large-caps, mid-caps, and selected small-caps that have sufficient options liquidity for meaningful analysis.

metrics

IV Rank

Options Pilot Education·Educational Content

Where current IV falls within its 52-week range. IV Rank of 80% means current IV is near the top of its annual range.

See IV Rank analysis for 500+ stocksTry Options Pilot

Visual Example

IV Rank

19%

Position between 52w low & high

IV vs 20-day HV:+17% (IV Premium)

Low IV: Options are relatively cheap. Good for buyers (calls/puts), less attractive for premium sellers.

SPY example data from January 2025 · For educational purposes only

TL;DR: IV Rank tells you whether options are cheap or expensive compared to where they've been over the past year.

IV Rank is one of the most commonly used metrics for evaluating whether options are cheap or expensive. It takes the current implied volatility and places it within the context of the past year's range. The formula is straightforward: (Current IV - 52-Week Low IV) / (52-Week High IV - 52-Week Low IV). An IV Rank of 80% means current IV is 80% of the way from its annual low to its annual high.

This context is essential because raw IV numbers are meaningless without comparison. A stock with 40% IV might seem high, but if its 52-week range is 30% to 80%, that 40% translates to an IV Rank of just 12.5% — options are actually very cheap for this stock. Conversely, a utility stock at 20% IV with a range of 10% to 25% has an IV Rank of 66.7% — options are relatively expensive for that name.

Traders typically use IV Rank to decide strategy direction. When IV Rank is above 50-60%, conditions favor selling premium because IV is likely to revert toward the mean. When IV Rank is below 20-30%, options are cheap relative to history, and buying strategies may offer better value. Options Pilot incorporates IV Rank as one of several checks within the Value pillar to give you a complete picture of options pricing. Screen stocks by IV Rank on the Options Screener.