Ninjatrader vs. Trade Ideas – A Detailed Comparison
Discover our detailed comparison of Ninjatrader and Trade Ideas to help determine which is best for you. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting out, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your trading experience.
To make your research easier, we manually found key data for Ninjatrader and Trade Ideas across the internet and compiled it all in this article.
- Best for futures trading
- Advanced order flow tools
- Solid charting tools
Overview of Ninjatrader
NinjaTrader is a futures trading platform known for its advanced charting, trade simulation, and market analysis tools, targeting active traders who require detailed technical analysis capabilities and automated trading strategies. NinjaTrader has extremely competitive commissions for futures contracts, but doesn’t support many other assets. There is also a minimum account activity fee, so you must trade at least once per month to avoid this $25 fee.
✓ Best for futures trading
✓ Advanced order flow tools
✓ Solid charting tools
Ninjatrader is Best For
NinjaTrader is best for those specifically looking to trade futures. It has much lower futures commissions than the bigger brokers, but it does not directly support equity trading.
Overview of Trade Ideas
Trade Ideas is an advanced charting platform and stock screening software that provides real-time quotes, indicators, and heat maps. The dashboard seems overwhelming at first, but you can easily customize it to see only what you want, such as charting, screeners, or heatmaps. The platform is constantly scanning the stock market, and showing you which stocks are trending up, which is great for day traders.
✓ Pricing: $89-$179/month
✓ AI stock scanning
✓ Best for day traders
Trade Ideas is Best For
Trade Ideas is best for day traders and swing traders who need a premium platform to help them track which stocks are making the biggest moves of the day. You can easily filter stocks by various metrics like daily volume %, gap %, change % from open, and many more.
Key Characteristics of Ninjatrader and Trade Ideas
| Platform | Platform Type | Tradeable Assets | Charting Features | Data | Premium Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninjatrader | Futures Brokerage Platform | Futures, Futures Options, Forex | Free charting platform + premium charting option including volume profile and footprint | Real-time data with funded account | $99 per month or $1,499 lifetime for reduced commissions |
| Trade Ideas | Charting & AI Stock Scanner | Not a broker, but you can chart stocks, ETFs, futures, crypto, and forex | Advanced web-based charting platform + downloaded desktop version | Real-time data included with paid subscription plans | $89-$179 per month, get 15% off using my affiliate link |
Trading Features and Tools
| Platform | DRIP | Margin Trading | Insurance | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninjatrader | No equity | Yes | Not insured | Yes |
| Trade Ideas | Not a broker | Not a broker | Not a broker | No |
Trading Costs and Commissions Compared
| Fee Type | Ninjatrader | Trade Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Commission | No equity | Not a broker |
| Option Commission | No equity options | Not a broker |
| Futures Commission | $1.29 per contract, $0.35 micro | Not a broker |
| Futures Options Commission | Not specified, likely the same as regular futures | Not a broker |
| Option Exercise Fee | None | Not a broker |
Ninjatrader vs Trade Ideas – Bottom Line
Choosing between Ninjatrader and Trade Ideas depends on your specific trading needs, preferred trading tools, and the type of assets you’re interested in.
Both platforms offer distinct advantages, but by considering the detailed comparison above, you can select the one that aligns best with your trading strategy and goals.
For more detailed reviews and comparisons, continue exploring our other articles on brokerage platform comparisons.
What is the Overall Best Charting Software?
I have reviewed and used nearly every trading platform available, and I believe that TradingView is the best overall charting software available. Here are some reasons why:
- All of TradingView’s key features are free to use
- TradingView provides real-time data for free whenever possible
- You are not tied to a single broker and can use whichever you want while charting on TradingView
- You can track all markets on a single platform, including stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and futures.
- TradingView has an excellent economic calendar and various screeners
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- Advanced Charts
- Real-Time Data
- Track all Markets
If you sign up for a TradingView account using my affiliate link, you can get a 30-day free trial of its premium features plus a $15 credit toward your subscription. However, signing up for a free trial is not required, and you can use nearly all of its features with a basic free account. You can read my full review of TradingView to learn more.
