# NinjaTrader > NinjaTrader is a futures platform and brokerage known for charting, order flow tools and C# automation. Learn its features, costs and who it suits. Source: https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/ninjatrader/ Track: The Trading Industry · Level: Beginner · Updated: 2026-10-03 Publisher: TradeLabs AI (https://tradelabsai.com). Education, not financial advice. Cite as: TradeLabs Learn, "NinjaTrader", https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/ninjatrader/ NinjaTrader is a trading platform focused mainly on futures, used by many retail day traders. Founded in 2003, it began as charting and trading software that connected to other brokers and later became a futures brokerage itself. It is known for its desktop charting, depth of market ladder, order flow tools, simulated trading and NinjaScript, a C# based language for custom indicators and automated strategies. In 2025, the crypto exchange Kraken acquired NinjaTrader, adding a large retail futures business to its operations. ## Key features | Feature | Description | |---|---| | Advanced charting | Many chart types, including tick, volume, range and Renko charts. See [Tick Data and OHLCV Data](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/programming/tick-data-and-ohlcv-data/) | | SuperDOM | A price ladder showing market depth with click to trade. See [The Order Book and Market Depth](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/market-structure/the-order-book-and-market-depth/) | | Order flow tools | Volume profile, footprint style charts and cumulative delta on higher licence levels. See [Volume Profile](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/volume/volume-profile/) | | Advanced Trade Management | Automatic stops and targets attached to entries. See [Bracket Orders](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/orders/bracket-orders/) | | Simulated trading | Free simulation with market data. See [Paper Trading](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/start-here/paper-trading/) | | Market replay | Replay recorded market days to practise. See [Market Data Replay](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/programming/market-data-replay/) | | NinjaScript | C# based custom indicators and strategies | | Strategy Analyzer | Backtest and optimise strategies | ## Costs NinjaTrader's platform is free to use for charting and simulation, with paid licence options (subscription or lifetime) that unlock features such as some order flow tools and lower commissions. Futures trading incurs per contract commissions plus exchange, clearing and regulatory fees, and real time CME data requires a data subscription. Pricing changes over time, so check current rates. **Example: Counting the cost per trade** A day trader trades micro E mini S&P 500 futures (MES). Suppose all in costs, including commission, exchange and clearing fees, total about $0.50 to $1.00 per contract per side, depending on the plan. A round trip on one contract then costs roughly $1 to $2. The MES moves $1.25 per tick, so costs equal about one to two ticks per round trip. A strategy targeting 4 ticks of profit gives up a large share of its edge to costs, while one targeting 20 ticks is much less affected. See [Futures Tick Value Calculator](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/tools/futures-tick-value-calculator/) and [Transaction Costs](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/orders/transaction-costs/). ## NinjaScript for automation NinjaScript uses C# and the .NET framework. Traders write indicators and strategies that react to bar updates or individual ticks, manage orders and backtest in the Strategy Analyzer. C# is more powerful than simpler scripting languages but has a steeper learning curve. For live automated strategies, the platform must stay running, often on a dedicated computer or virtual server. See [Automated vs Semi-Automated Trading](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/algo-trading/automated-trading/) and [VPS, Cloud and Bare-Metal Servers](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/infrastructure/vps-cloud-and-bare-metal-servers/). ## Strengths and weaknesses | Strengths | Weaknesses | |---|---| | Strong futures focus and order flow tools | Desktop application is Windows based | | Free simulation and market replay | Some advanced features require paid licences | | Powerful C# automation | Steeper learning curve for scripting | | Large third party add on ecosystem | Add on quality varies widely | ## Who it suits - **Futures day traders,** especially those using depth of market and volume based tools. - **Traders who want to automate** with a full programming language. - **Prop firm evaluation traders,** since many futures prop firms support NinjaTrader. See [Prop Trader](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/prop-trader/). Investors focused on stocks or options are usually better served by other platforms. See [Charting Platforms Compared](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/charting-platforms-compared/) and [Thinkorswim](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/thinkorswim/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is NinjaTrader used for? Mainly futures trading, with advanced charts, a depth of market ladder, order flow tools, simulation and C# based automation. ### Is NinjaTrader free? The platform can be used free for charting and simulation; live trading involves commissions, fees and market data costs, with paid licences for some features. ### What language does NinjaTrader use? NinjaScript, which is based on C# and the .NET framework. Next, learn about a popular platform for US options traders in [Thinkorswim](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/thinkorswim/). ## Continue learning - Next lesson: [Thinkorswim](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/thinkorswim/) - Previous lesson: [MetaTrader](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/metatrader/) - Related: [MetaTrader](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/metatrader/): MetaTrader 4 and 5 are popular forex and CFD platforms with expert advisors for automation. Learn their differences, MQL, strategy testing and broker checks. - Related: [Futures Trading](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/markets/futures-trading/): How futures trading works day to day: choosing contracts, margin, tick values, trading hours, rolling, costs and risk, with a worked Micro E-mini trade. - Related: [Charting Platforms Compared](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/charting-platforms-compared/): Compare popular charting platforms: TradingView, MetaTrader, NinjaTrader, thinkorswim and others. Learn their strengths, costs, markets and which traders they suit. - Related: [Volume Profile](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/volume/volume-profile/): Volume profile shows how much traded at each price instead of each time period. Learn to read profiles, POC, value areas, nodes and how traders use them. - Related: [Automated vs Semi-Automated Trading](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/algo-trading/automated-trading/): Automated trading systems place and manage orders without manual input. Learn levels of automation, platforms, what to automate first and the safeguards. - Related: [Futures Commission Merchants (FCM)](https://learn.tradelabsai.com/industry/futures-commission-merchants/): A futures commission merchant holds customer funds and clears futures trades. Learn how FCMs differ from introducing brokers and how funds are protected.