NinjaTrader vs Tradovate

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Contributor, Benzinga
July 16, 2024

Whether you're an experienced futures trader looking for a new brokerage platform or just dipping your toes into futures, NinjaTrader and Tradovate offer excellent charting tools and resources. However, ease of use, customer support, and overall fees vary, making each platform a better choice for certain traders. Read on for a complete overview of NinjaTrader vs. Tradovate to choose the best platform for your trading goals and analysis needs. 

NinjaTraderTradovate
Best For: Experienced Futures TradersBest For: New and Experienced Futures Traders
Pros: Learn the platform and practice futures trading with free simulations (paper trading) Free plan option Training opportunities and resources Make trades with PC, Mac, or mobile apps Can trade micro and e-mini futures No deposit minimum  Low margins
Pros: Excellent community support Training opportunities and resources Charting platform includes volume and market profile Good paper trading Free plan option Highly rated app Can trade micro and e-mini futures No deposit minimum  Low margins Low minimum monthly trades
Cons: Limited trading and investing options  High monthly fees or lifetime subscriptions required for lower trading fees Only useful for futures
Cons: Limited trading and investing options  High monthly fees or lifetime subscriptions  Only useful for futures
Table of Contents

Fees

The pricing structure of the two platforms is almost identical. Both Ninjatrader and Tradovate have low fees. Neither platform has any equity commission fees. They charge futures commissions of $1.29 per contract and $0.35 per micro.

Both platforms offer a free plan with the trade fees above. You can also pay a $99 per month subscription fee to reduce commissions. For maximum savings, you can pay $1,499 for lifetime access, including reduced commissions. You can divide the $1,499 fee into four payments to spread the costs over a few months.

Tradovate's fees if you pay for the lifetime access are:

  • $0.09 / Micros
  • $0.59 / Standard
  • $0.05 / Nano & Event Contracts

Here is a summary of NinjaTrader's fees:

  • Account Closure Fee: Up to $30
  • Administrative fees:
    • Clearing Fee: $0.15 per contract
    • Order Routing: $0.25 per contract
    • Electronic Daily and Monthly Statement: Free
    • Minimum Account Activity Fee: $25 per month with no activity
    • Currency conversions: 1% of funds converted
  • Deposit fees:
    • ACH: Free
    • Incoming Check or Wires: No fee
    • Bounced Check: $30
    • Emergency Trade Desk: Free
  • Margin Call: $50

Winner: With such similar fee structures, there's no clear winner between NinjaTrader and Tradovate. It's a tie. 

Accounts and Features

Both Ninjatrader and Tradovate offer a range of tools and features to enhance trading experiences. These include advanced data analysis, real-time information, futures trading guides, and innovative reporting features. 

You can access excellent futures trading algorithms to accelerate your investing strategy. These online stock brokers give you excellent tools to build your unique profile. Here's an overview of each:

NinjaTrader 

NinjaTrader is primarily an online futures trading platform for experienced investors who want to trade traditional and alternative futures contracts with low commissions. You can get $50 a day for trading margins with NinjaTrader. It also offers discount pricing on contracts, flexible funding, and no minimum deposit requirement. 

NinjaTrader offers excellent diversification opportunities with various futures contracts, including stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, cryptocurrency, crude oil, gold, natural gas, and more. The platform offers daily training opportunities, unlimited support, and 24-hour customer support.

You can create free customizable futures trading charts, simulate trading, load live market streams or market trackers, and use leveraged analytical tools for technical analysis. You can also trade micro futures and E-minis, allowing new futures traders to access investments at a lower cost. You can find more in Benzinga's full NinjaTrader review.

Tradovate

Tradovate is designed specifically for futures traders. It offers over 40 advanced trading tools built for modern markets. These tools help you easily identify and execute your next trade.

Tradovate is also fully integrated with TradingView, a vast community of traders who connect and share trading ideas using the TradingView charts. This gives users a seamless trading experience and facilitates sharing trade ideas with peers and executing stock futures orders across both platforms. It can help you learn trading strategies that work or find more about Tradovate in Benzinga's full review

TradingView offers additional benefits, including:

  • Use whichever broker you want while charting on TradingView
  • Track all markets on a single platform, including stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and futures.
  • Excellent economic calendar and various screeners

Winner: While both platforms offer excellent charting tools, NinjaTrader is the winner for the types of assets you can trade. However, Tradovate gets an honorable mention for community-based sharing opportunities. 

It's a tie since both can add value to a trading platform. NinjaTrader wins for advanced traders, while Tradovate wins for new traders who can benefit from tracking other investors' trades. 

Mobile App

Both NinjaTrader and Tradovate offer robust and convenient mobile trading solutions. Their apps are available on Android and Apple devices and tablets, and they offer comprehensive features and ease of use across different devices. 

Regarding user reviews, NinjaTrader's app scores 3.5/5 stars on the Google Play Store and 4.2/5 stars on the Apple Store out of 186 and 648 reviews, respectively.

Tradovate's app scores 3.9/5 stars on the Google Play Store and 4.5/5 stars on the Apple Store, out of 1080 and 2441 reviews, respectively. Tradovate's users are consistently happy with the mobile app and its functionality. 

Many of its recent low reviews are related to an update with bugs or other issues that need to be worked out. Tradovate's app is more popular, and its user base is more engaged in leaving reviews.

Winner: Both NinjaTrader and Tradovate have decent mobile apps for Apple and Android devices. However, based on user reviews, Tradovate's app is more popular and offers better functionality, so it's the winner. 

Customer Support

NinjaTrader offers unlimited support and 24-hour customer support. You can reach customer support via email or phone. It also offers a good resource and training library.

Tradovate offers customer service via email, phone, chat, or contact form. It also has an extensive knowledge base with FAQs and a community forum where you can ask questions and get answers. 

Winner: Both platforms adequately address common user queries and provide excellent, accessible, and helpful support. However, Tradovate wins this round because of its well-established community-based support. 

Ease of Use

Both NinjaTrader and Tradovate offer user-friendly features and quick account setup processes. They also include paper trading options, allowing users to practice and familiarize themselves with the platforms without financial risk.

Winner: Both are easy and intuitive to use. While there's risk in any trading action, both platforms offer educational resources well. It's a tie.

Safety

NinjaTrader and Tradovate ensure safety through regulation, account protection, and security measures. 

In addition to regulatory oversight and investor protection, NinjaTrader is a reliable industry player that has not been involved in any major scandals. It has a long, spotless track record of protecting investors' information. 

Tradovate is a trusted broker with top-tier regulation. Data on Tradovate comes from regulatory sources. In addition, Tradovate's clients have access to existing investor protection programs. It is regulated by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) in the U.S., and relevant international authorities. 

You can learn more about FINRA security disclosures to protect investors.

Winner: Because Tradovate is regulated by the SEC, it provides higher investor protection and security. However, both platforms have an excellent track record of protecting users' financial information. Tradovate wins this round. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q

Are NinjaTrader and Tradovate the same?

A

No, NinjaTrader and Tradovate aren’t the same; they are two futures trading platforms popular with investors. Both platforms help you access options, make the most of your money, and access futures trading guides and bond resources.

Q

Is NinjaTrader good for trading futures?

A

Yes, NinjaTrader is excellent for trading futures on the stock market.

Q

Is NinjaTrader expensive?

A

No, NinjaTrader isn’t expensive. It offers low-cost futures trading.

Alison Plaut

About Alison Plaut

Alison Kimberly is a freelance content writer with a Sustainable MBA, uniquely qualified to help individuals and businesses achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and financial profitability. She has been writing for various non-profit organizations for 15+ years. When not writing, you will find her promoting education and meditation in the developing world, or hiking and enjoying nature.