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Having a good trading platform involves more than just liking the design and interface. The platform you choose can significantly impact your performance, as having the right features can better position you for success in futures trading. Asset availability, essential tools, and third-party integrations all play a role in how profitable you can be.
NinjaTrader and ThinkorSwim are two of the most popular platforms among active retail traders. Each has its own pros and cons, and ultimately, the best choice depends on your trading goals and preferences. Here’s a guide to help you decide which one might be better for futures trading.
NinjaTrader is designed for experienced derivatives traders who rely on detailed analysis and want a high level of customization. It offers powerful built-in features for technical analysis, as well as a wide range of third-party integrations, including our own add-ons for NinjaTrader.
Its main limitation is that it’s focused exclusively on derivatives like futures and options on futures. However, if that’s your area of focus and you’re comfortable with more advanced trading strategies, NinjaTrader is likely the better fit.
Advanced charting tools
24/7 access to futures markets
Cross-account trading automation
Comprehensive order flow tools
Large library of third-party add-ons
Multiple brokerage integrations
(Some advanced features may require add-ons like Order Flow Entry Orders or Duplicate Account Actions.)
ThinkorSwim makes active trading more accessible for beginner and intermediate traders. It offers strong charting capabilities, useful performance reports, and a wide array of educational resources to help traders grow their knowledge.
You can use the platform on desktop, tablet, or mobile. While charting is limited on mobile devices, you can still monitor your trades on the go. Most research and analysis is best done on a desktop.
One drawback is that ThinkorSwim only supports trading through TD Ameritrade. You’ll also find fewer third-party add-ons compared to what’s available with NinjaTrader.
Desktop and mobile access
User-friendly interface
Built-in learning tools
Broad asset availability
Strong charting options
The right platform for you will depend on your trading experience and the types of assets you focus on.
The biggest advantage of NinjaTrader is its advanced features. If you’re already familiar with technical analysis and precise trade execution, you might find ThinkorSwim lacking in some areas.
With NinjaTrader, you can build and automate custom strategies, use professional-grade tools like footprint charts and volume profiles, and integrate high-performance third-party indicators created specifically for futures trading.
The platform also offers detailed control over your trades and supports backtesting using historical tick data. These tools are ideal for traders who prioritize precision and performance.
ThinkorSwim is the better choice if you want to trade a mix of assets, including stocks and ETFs. NinjaTrader focuses almost entirely on futures and futures options, so ThinkorSwim is a better fit for traders who want more flexibility.
It also allows you to de-risk through asset diversification or invest long-term, which isn’t practical on NinjaTrader.
Of course, some traders choose to use both—ThinkorSwim for equities and NinjaTrader for derivatives.
While ThinkorSwim offers paper trading, NinjaTrader provides full simulated trading. Paper trading is useful for learning or testing a new strategy in a risk-free environment.
Simulated trading goes a step further, allowing you to test strategies using real-time or historical data. This makes it a valuable tool for evaluating strategy performance across different market conditions.
As a desktop-only platform, NinjaTrader generally provides faster execution speeds than ThinkorSwim. ThinkorSwim’s web and app interfaces are convenient but may experience slight delays compared to NinjaTrader’s dedicated environment.
Both platforms offer different advantages in terms of accessibility, depending on your trading style and daily schedule.
NinjaTrader gives you 24/7 access to futures markets, allowing you to trade any time they are open. In contrast, ThinkorSwim typically only supports 24/5 access, which limits trading to weekdays.
NinjaTrader does not currently offer a mobile app, due to its advanced features and integration-heavy setup. ThinkorSwim, on the other hand, is available via mobile and web, which is ideal for traders who are frequently on the move or away from a desktop setup during market hours.
NinjaTrader’s main advantage lies in its advanced tools and customization. To get the most out of it, consider adding third-party integrations to unlock its full potential. At Affordable Indicators, we specialize in creating powerful NinjaTrader tools to support your strategy.
If you’re newer to trading or looking to sharpen your skills, take advantage of the educational resources offered by TD Ameritrade. While you may already know some of the basics, there’s likely more you can learn to improve your trading over time.
There are several factors to weigh when deciding between these two platforms. As you evaluate them, don’t overlook the additional functionality that NinjaTrader add-ons can provide. You might even consider trying both to see which platform feels more intuitive to you.
Whichever you choose, we wish you success in your trading journey. Set up your account, and start exploring what each platform has to offer.
The Enhanced Chart Trader makes it easy to manage trades in a Chart window by solving many common challenges.
The Impact Order Flow analyzes tick data to create a dynamic display of details that truly impact trading decisions.
We build the best NinjaTrader indicators with years of experience in trading futures and understanding what traders need.
We would love to hear from you! The best way to reach us is using the circular help button in the bottom right corner of this page.
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