The Complete Guide

NinjaTrader: The Complete Guide

What NinjaTrader is, how to get it for free, and how to set it up with the right tools — every guide, download, and answer in one place.

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Affordable Indicators tools are add-ons that run inside NinjaTrader — a free, professional futures trading platform. You install NinjaTrader first (free), then add our tools on top. New to NinjaTrader? Start with the step-by-step guide →

What is NinjaTrader?

NinjaTrader is a brokerage and software services company with over 800,000 trading platform users and thousands of trading software add-ons. One of its biggest advantages is the ability to customize indicators and strategies — unmatched in the industry. NinjaTrader attracts professionals from all over the world and offers a desktop platform, a web platform, and a mobile app.

The desktop platform is free for charting, backtesting, and unlimited simulated trading — you only fund an account when you’re ready to trade live. That free desktop platform is also where third-party add-ons like ours run.

🖥️ Desktop Platform

Customizable like no other platform in the world, powered by Microsoft C#. NinjaTrader 8 — now called NinjaTrader Desktop — keeps gaining new features and remains one of the premiere platforms for futures trading. Windows-based, and the home of every NinjaScript add-on.

🌐 Web Platform

Trade from any browser — Chrome, Safari, and more. Workspace configurations are stored in the cloud for instant access from anywhere. Added in 2023 after NinjaTrader acquired Tradovate.

📱 Mobile Apps

Apple and Android apps with real-time market data, customizable charts, and on-the-go order management. Advanced order types keep you connected wherever you are.

Get set up, step by step

Whether you’ve never opened NinjaTrader or you’re re-licensing a new machine, these guides cover the whole path — download, Machine ID, importing add-ons, and your first chart.

⭐ Getting Started with NinjaTrader

The front door: download the free platform, register your Machine ID, and import your tools — about 15 minutes end to end.

Start here →

⬇️ Download NinjaTrader (Free)

Get the desktop platform with live data configured in as little as 10 minutes — charting, backtesting, and sim trading included, no payment required.

Download guide →

📦 Install Indicators & Add-Ons

Import any NinjaScript add-on in about two minutes — plus the fixes for every common import error.

Install guide →

🔑 NinjaTrader Machine ID

Find your Machine ID, register it for your license, and understand why it sometimes changes.

Machine ID guide →

❓ NinjaTrader FAQ

Quick answers to the questions we hear most about the platform, data, licensing, and our tools.

Read the FAQ →

🔧 Resolve NinjaScript Errors

Our free troubleshooting guide for import failures, compile errors, and the manual-import fallback.

Fix errors →

Learn NinjaTrader

Deep-dive guides for actually using the platform day to day:

🎓 How to Use NinjaTrader

The learning hub: get oriented, practice in simulation, place orders, and manage risk.

Start learning →

📈 Chart Setup & Workspaces

Open your first chart, pick the right chart type, add indicators, and save your layout.

Set up charts →

📡 Data Feeds & Connections

How market data works, connecting Rithmic / Tradovate / prop-firm accounts, and fixing feed issues.

Connect data →

🧭 The Indicators Guide

What NinjaTrader indicators are, the four categories that matter, and how to choose yours.

Read the guide →

More guides & tutorials

Is NinjaTrader Good for Beginners? Hotkeys & Shortcuts: Productivity Guide How to Simulate Trades (Paper Trading) How to Use the Chart Trader NinjaTrader Web vs Desktop How to Run NinjaTrader on a Mac Minimum Deposit to Trade Live Best Free NinjaTrader Add-Ons

Compare NinjaTrader

NinjaTrader vs TradingView NinjaTrader vs Tradovate NinjaTrader vs ThinkorSwim NinjaTrader vs Tastytrade NinjaTrader vs TradeStation NinjaTrader Review

Popular NinjaTrader Add-Ons

Once NinjaTrader is running, these are the add-ons our 8,000+ customers reach for first — every one a lifetime license with free updates and live chat support.

Trade Copier →Mirror trades across every prop-firm account Enhanced Chart Trader →One-click order tools on your chart Impact Order Flow →See real buying & selling pressure

Browse all NinjaTrader software →

Get help

For questions about our add-ons, use the live chat button in the corner or the Help Center — and for hands-on platform training there’s Premium NinjaTrader Support (paid one-on-one sessions). For platform-level support (accounts, data feeds, billing), reach NinjaTrader directly at ninjatrader.com or +1 312-262-1289. Need custom NinjaScript work instead? See NinjaTrader Programming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NinjaTrader?

NinjaTrader is a futures brokerage and trading-platform company with over 800,000 platform users. Its desktop platform is famous for deep customization: traders can add third-party indicators, strategies, and tools (called NinjaScript add-ons) on top of the free platform.

Is NinjaTrader free?

Yes — the desktop platform is free for charting, backtesting, and unlimited simulated trading. You only need to fund a brokerage account when you want to trade with real money. Download it here.

Do Affordable Indicators tools require NinjaTrader?

Yes. Every Affordable Indicators product is an add-on that runs inside NinjaTrader Desktop — they are not standalone apps. Setup is always: (1) get NinjaTrader free, (2) add our tools on top. The Getting Started guide walks through both.

Does NinjaTrader work on Mac?

NinjaTrader Desktop is Windows-based. Mac traders typically run it in a Windows environment (Boot Camp, Parallels, or a Windows VPS) — see our Mac guide for current options.

Buy with Confidence·🛡️ 8,000+ customers·⭐ 4.8 Trustpilot·🏆 18 years programming experience

NinjaTrader® is a registered trademark of NinjaTrader Group, LLC. Affordable Indicators, Inc. builds add-ons for the NinjaTrader platform as part of the NinjaTrader Ecosystem and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NinjaTrader Group, LLC.