Start with the exact exchange and contract.
A terminal connects analysis and account controls around an exchange account. Compatibility needs to match the products you use: spot, linear derivatives and inverse derivatives can require different adapters or account modes. An exchange count on a landing page is not enough to establish those details.
Look for a current capability table, supported environments and clear limitations. For Schizo, use the exchange page; further integrations are under review. Ask whether private balances, order state and history are supported, rather than checking only that a chart opens.
Trace a complete order workflow.
Check how the interface identifies the active account, instrument and quantity unit. When you switch a chart or account, the order module should make the new context clear. The software should also surface a rejected instruction instead of leaving a click unexplained.
Review the supported order types, exchange constraints and the information shown after submission. An accepted instruction and a completed fill are different states. Evaluate them in an appropriate demo environment where supported before relying on a new workflow.
Evaluate the layout on your actual screen.
Charts, order books, positions and order entry compete for space. Test whether modules can be resized, whether split charts keep independent markets and whether the current selection remains visible. Keyboard access and readable labels matter alongside appearance.
Try a small layout first. More charts and feeds increase device workload; a maximum pane count is not automatically a useful working arrangement. Test the browser and screen size you plan to use.
Check storage, access and portability.
Find out where credentials and settings are stored, what passes through a relay and how backups work. Verify whether another device receives the same workspace or needs an explicit transfer. A saved layout is not necessarily a complete account backup.
Trade-review tools should explain history coverage, reporting currency, fees and partial closes. Without those details, a polished equity curve can be difficult to reconcile with exchange records.
Make a short, repeatable evaluation.
- List your required exchanges, contracts and account modes.
- Check the published capabilities against that list.
- Build one chart–order book–order entry layout.
- Switch symbols and accounts, and inspect the resulting context.
- Review error handling, history coverage and backup steps.
- Check the actual pricing, restrictions and support channels.
Apply this checklist to Schizo as well as other software. Choose based on the tasks you can verify, with a clear understanding of the limits.