NinjaTrader is a brokerage and software services company offering one of the most powerful and customizable platforms for futures day traders. Download it for free and get started with live futures data in less than 10 minutes.
Download NinjaTrader Now
Get started immediately with live futures data — no payment required. Create your free NinjaTrader username first, then download the installer from your NinjaTrader dashboard. The steps are below.
Download NinjaTraderEverything Included for Free
NinjaTrader is completely free to download and includes all of the following features out of the box:
How to download and install NinjaTrader 8
Short answer: NinjaTrader 8 (NinjaTrader now calls it NinjaTrader Desktop) is free to download from your NinjaTrader account dashboard at account.ninjatrader.com. You need a free NinjaTrader username, which does not require a brokerage account or a deposit. The current version is 8.1.8.4, released October 19, 2026. It runs on Windows only.
- Create a free NinjaTrader username. Go to the NinjaTrader registration page, enter your email and click Sign Up. Click the link in the verification email, then choose a username and password. If you trade a Tradovate-based prop firm account, NinjaTrader says you can log in with your prop firm username and password instead.
- Open the download page. Log in to the NinjaTrader Dashboard. On the Welcome screen of a new username, click Additional Options, then Download Desktop Platform. Otherwise, click the Download button at the bottom left of the Home page.
- Download the installer. The Most Recent Release is listed in the center of the page. Click Download Now. The file is called
NinjaTrader.install.msiand is usually saved to your Downloads folder. - Run the installer. Double-click
NinjaTrader.install.msi, click Next, accept the Terms and Conditions, then click Install. Click Finish when done. - Start NinjaTrader and connect. Search for "NinjaTrader" in the Windows Start menu, log in, then follow NinjaTrader's connection guide for your broker, prop firm or data feed.
If you use a firewall or antivirus program, allow NinjaTrader to access the internet, or you may see a login error. Also keep the NinjaTrader 8 folder inside your Documents folder out of OneDrive, Dropbox and other backup tools: NinjaTrader says syncing it can cause file access conflicts.
System requirements
NinjaTrader's minimum requirements for NinjaTrader Desktop:
- Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016 or later, 64-bit
- 1 GHz or faster 64-bit processor (2 GHz quad-core or faster recommended)
- 2 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8, which is pre-installed on most PCs
- Screen resolution of 1024 x 768
- DirectX 10 compatible graphics card (highly recommended), and an SSD is recommended
Using a Mac?
NinjaTrader Desktop does not run natively on a Mac, so you would run it inside Windows on a virtual machine or a Windows VPS: see how to trade on NinjaTrader using a Mac.
After you install
Once NinjaTrader is installed and connected, you can add third-party tools. If you are looking for a trade copier, chart trader or order flow tools, you can browse our NinjaTrader add-ons.
Why NinjaTrader?
One of NinjaTrader's biggest advantages is the ability to fully customize indicators and strategies using C# NinjaScript development. This level of flexibility is unmatched in the industry and is what sets NinjaTrader apart from other day trading platforms.
NinjaTrader 8 attracts top professionals from across the financial industry worldwide, and also offers hundreds of free education videos, free trading webinars, and multiple choices of market data feeds. It's the platform we build all of our tools on — and for good reason.
Learn more on our NinjaTrader overview page or browse our NinjaTrader FAQ.
Enhance Your NinjaTrader Experience
Once you've downloaded NinjaTrader, explore our premium tools built specifically for the platform — including our flagship Trade Copier, Enhanced Chart Trader, and Impact Order Flow indicator.
Frequently asked questions
Is NinjaTrader 8 free to download?
Yes. Registering for a NinjaTrader username and downloading NinjaTrader Desktop are free, and no deposit is needed. NinjaTrader says the platform is always free to use for charting, backtesting, trade simulation and technical analysis. Live trading needs a brokerage or prop firm account, and some features, such as real-time market data, may depend on your account and plan.
Is there a NinjaTrader download for Mac?
No. NinjaTrader says NinjaTrader Desktop cannot run on Mac, Chromebook or Linux, and suggests a Windows virtualization tool such as Parallels on a Mac. NinjaTrader Web works in a browser on a Mac, but add-ons like ours run only in NinjaTrader Desktop on Windows.
What is the latest version of NinjaTrader 8?
The current release is NinjaTrader 8.1.8.4, released October 19, 2026 (see NinjaTrader's release notes). To see which version you have, open the Control Center and go to Help > About.
How do I update NinjaTrader 8?
Close NinjaTrader, log in to your NinjaTrader Dashboard, download the Most Recent Release and run NinjaTrader.install.msi. The Help menu in the Control Center also has a Download item for the latest version. NinjaTrader says updating does not affect your saved workspaces, templates or third-party add-ons. See our guide on how to update NinjaTrader.
Does NinjaTrader 8 work on Windows 10?
NinjaTrader lists Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016 or later, as the minimum, and says Windows 7, 8 and 10 are no longer supported. The platform may still install on them, but it may not connect properly, and NinjaTrader says its support team cannot help until the PC runs a supported version of Windows.
Questions about getting started? Contact us or visit our Help Center.