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.

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Vega

Options Pilot Education·Educational Content

The rate of change in an option's price for a 1% change in implied volatility. Higher for longer-dated options.

See Vega analysis for 500+ stocksTry Options Pilot

Visual Example

IV Rank

19%

Position between 52w low & high

IV Percentile

25%

% of days IV was lower

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

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

Vega by Days to Expiration

7 DTE

0.08

14 DTE

0.12

30 DTE

0.18

45 DTE

0.22

60 DTE

0.25

90 DTE

0.30

Vega measures sensitivity to IV changes. Longer-dated options have higher vega - they're more affected by IV swings.

SPY example data from January 2025 · For educational purposes only

Vega measures how sensitive an option's price is to changes in implied volatility. A vega of 0.10 means the option price will increase by $0.10 for every 1% increase in IV.

Why Vega Matters

Unlike the other Greeks, vega isn't derived from the underlying's price movement. Instead, it reflects pure volatility exposure. This makes it crucial for:

Volatility trading: Buying options when IV is low and selling when high
Earnings plays: Understanding how IV crush affects your position
Long-dated positions: LEAPS have high vega, making them sensitive to IV changes

Vega Characteristics

Highest at ATM: Vega peaks when the option is at-the-money
Increases with time: Longer DTE means higher vega
Always positive for long options: Both calls and puts gain value when IV rises
Decays near expiration: Short-dated options have minimal vega

Practical Application

When buying options before earnings, you're paying for elevated IV (high vega exposure). After earnings, IV typically collapses, reducing option value regardless of price direction. Understanding vega helps you avoid these "IV crush" surprises.

For premium sellers, high vega means you're collecting more premium when IV is elevated - a favorable setup for income strategies.

See it in Action

Vega is part of the Value pillar in our 5-pillar scoring system.

Screen stocks by Vega Learn about our scoring system

See Vega Analysis Live

Our scoring system evaluates vega across hundreds of stocks daily. Join the waitlist to see which options have the best opportunity right now.

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