NinjaTrader Reviews 2023: Features, Cost & Alternatives

NinjaTrader is a software-based trading platform based in the United States. They are known for their great desktop application, suited to more advanced traders, especially those active in the futures market. However, this is only available on Windows. Additionally, users like using the NinjaTrader brokerage because of its low trading fees, some of the lowest in the industry. 

While their desktop trading platform is a better fit for active traders, they also offer great educational materials to help beginners as well. But, even though the trading fees are low, some point to the higher withdrawal and inactivity fees. Plus, you can only trade futures and options on futures through the platform unless you connect to external brokerage accounts.

Continue reading below as we complete our NinjaTrader review for futures traders to reference when they’re choosing a trading platform. 

NinjaTrader Advantages

Let’s begin our NinjaTrader Review by covering the top advantages of using this trading platform. 

Free Simulated Trading

To begin, NinjaTrader offers free simulated trading on their platform. They make it clear that advanced charting, backtesting, and trade simulation are always free on their platform before you want to begin live trading. 

Effective Analysis Tools & Excellent Charting

Additionally, NinjaTrader provides great tools like customizable technical indicators and advanced charting when you have an account with them. These valuable trading tools are extremely helpful to futures traders, and a perk of being in the NinjaTrader ecosystem. 

Best For Advanced Traders

Given that the platform is built to trade futures, it’s more suitable for advanced traders. They also offer great trading tools like technical analysis tools and trading indicators that are customizable and help active traders get the most out of the NinjaTrader website.  

Great Research & Quality Education

Lastly, both beginners and active traders appreciate the great research, market data, and quality education on the platform. This helps with technical analysis functions and market analytics, no matter the trading styles that a trader employs. 

NinjaTrader Features & Prices

We can now go over some of the main features and pricing of the site. 

NinjaTrader Brokerage: Futures, Options & Forex Trading

Here are some of the core features and types of trading strategies you can implement with the NinjaTrader platform: 

• Futures: discounted commissions, no minimums, and low margins
• Options: only support options on futures, unless connecting to external brokerage services
• Forex: must connect to your existing brokerage services to access the NinjaTrader platform

Trading Platform & Analysis Tools

NinjaTrader’s core service is their trading platform, which is completely free to use. So when traders make a futures account, they gain access to many other tools, like unlimited simulated futures trading, unfiltered professional market data, data feed, extensive daily and historical data, a free 24-hour emergency trade desk, great charting and analysis, hundreds of indicators, thousands of apps and add-ons, and unlimited support and daily training. 

Education & Research

They also offer great training and help guides to assist users and give them the support they need to utilize the platform. This includes a support forum, blogs, and live streams, all of which provide great value to account holders. 

Commission & Fees

NinjaTrader is known for its low trading fees on live trading, though some have noted they have higher withdrawal and inactivity fees compared to other futures and forex trading platforms. 

Customer Support & Security

They do not offer 24/7 support, though many have noted that the service they do provide during US trading hours is high quality. They are available to reach via phone, email, live chat, or through the support forum. It appears as if they offer quick response times and relevant support to users’ needs. 

NinjaTrader Quick Overview

4.7 stars

Best Overall Value

• Great research and education materials
• Low trading fees
• No minimum deposit required

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NinjaTrader Customer Reviews

NinjaTrader has good reviews on Trustpilot. Let’s take a look to see what some of their users have to say. 

Quick response and fixed my issue connecting. This was an issue from over a month ago I was being helped on that didn’t get resolved. Thank you very much to whoever took care of this for me!

Brady

First impression customer service wasn’t great. It has improved since then. Sales reps are nice & responsive but need to be more educated on platform specifics so they’re selling accurately. Recent interactions with client/tech support have been much better. Clayton in particular is a wonderful tech/client service rep! You need more like him.

Kemi

I was very skeptical of Ninja trader as I have used the free MT4 trader for decades. But it is worth all the money. Absolutely brilliant software to develop automatic trade robots. I can recommend Ninja trader for all that want save a lot of time and effort to program automatic trading robots or strategies…

Mads

An exceptionally long wait time on hold for a CSR and the person who waited on me was very rude. I am still thinking of closing my account because of this person.

Thomas

NinjaTrader Review

Let’s finish off our NinjaTrader review by seeing if it’s a good fit for you and your trading needs. 

Is NinjaTrader Right For You?

The NinjaTrader platform is a great match for anyone who wants to trade futures and gain access to helpful tools for market analysis, research, and training. This trading software has great trading fees, though they have higher rates for withdrawals and inactivity compared to others. So, active futures traders will like this platform. 

Cost Value 

Since the trading fees on NinjaTrader are so attractive, and the platform is free to access for a variety of purposes, they do offer good cost value to users. They do charge a higher withdrawal fee and inactivity fee, so it may be a little pricier than other platforms if you don’t plan on staying active on the platform. So, it’s the most cost-effective for active users. Plus, there is no minimum deposit required to use the site, so it’s highly accessible for any budget.  

Customer Service

It appears as if NinjaTrader offers great customer service and quick response times, even though they are not available 24/7. However, it still does appear that customers have good interactions with the customer support team. 

Ease of Use

The account opening process is simple, and it’s easy to set up automated trading and access portfolio analysis tools. The charting and market analysis tools are easy to use and monitor, which helps users get started on the platform. 

Included Features

There are great features included with NinjaTrader accounts, including free trade simulation, hundreds of indicators, extensive daily and historical data, data feed, chartings, thousands of add-ons, and more. 

Overall

Since NinjaTrader supports primarily futures trading, it may be a better fit for advanced users. However, they offer plenty of educational and research materials to help their users. While you cannot access stock exchanges directly through the platform, you can access other markets by connecting your NinjaTrader account to an external broker for trading futures and other securities. 

So even though some wish there were more trading instruments and the stock exchange was available through the platform, they still offer many great features that future investors can enjoy. 

2 Top NinjaTrader Alternatives

Interactive Brokers 

Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted broker, with many different tradeable assets available to account holders on their platform–like futures and forex. Plus, users like them for their competitive fees, the available securities and asset classes they offer, the research and education, and the easy-to-use interface. They have very advanced features though, which may mean it’s a better option for more advanced traders. 

TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade is very commonly used, offering 70 currency pairs, great tools, research and educational materials, and more. It is available to US traders, offering a great trading experience that is highly rated among the other platforms available. All in all, it’s a trusted platform both by newcomers and experienced traders. 

Conclusion

Those who are interested in futures trading on a platform with great education and research materials, and low trading fees, will like the NinjaTrader platform. While you can only access the forex and stock markets when connected to external brokerage accounts, the helpful tools on the platform and great fees make it worth the extra steps for many traders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)