NinjaTrader

NinjaTrader is one of the most established and feature-rich trading platforms in the futures trading space. Originally launched as a charting and analysis tool, NinjaTrader has evolved into a full brokerage offering low-commission futures and options on futures trading, with the platform itself available for free. The platform is built around three core capabilities: advanced charting with hundreds of customizable indicators, market analytics including order flow tools (Market Depth, Time & Sales, Volume Profile), and automated trading through NinjaScript (based on C#). Traders can develop, backtest, and deploy automated strategies, or choose from thousands of third-party add-ons in the NinjaTrader ecosystem. NinjaTrader offers free use of its platform for charting and simulation trading, while live trading requires either a free account with higher commissions ($0.35/side micro, $1.29/side standard) or a lifetime license ($1,099) for reduced rates. The platform connects to multiple data feeds and supports futures from CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT. NinjaTrader 8 is the current desktop version, providing a highly customizable workspace with multi-monitor support.