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NinjaTrader Review
A popular futures brokerage and platform for active traders, with advanced charting, automation and low day-trading margins.
Best for
- Futures day traders
- Automation and strategy building
- Prop-firm-funded traders
Not best for
- You want stocks/ETFs
- You want a simple mobile-only app
- You're a passive investor
Our verdict & scoring
NinjaTrader is both a futures broker and a widely used desktop platform, favoured by active futures day traders for its charting, order-flow tools and strategy automation. Founded in 2003, it was acquired by crypto exchange Kraken in May 2025 (a ~$1.5B deal) and now operates as a standalone platform within the Kraken group. It offers competitive commissions (with an optional lifetime licence) and is a common choice among prop-firm-funded traders.
Scores are based on our review methodology. Affiliate relationships do not buy higher ratings.
Who should actually use NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is the default serious-tools choice for futures day traders: deep charting, order-flow tools and strategy automation in a desktop platform that doubles as a brokerage with low day-trading margins. It's also one of the most widely supported platforms among US futures prop firms, making it a natural home for funded traders. It's the wrong fit if you want stocks/ETFs, a simple mobile-only app, or you're a passive investor.
What we'd change
The learning curve is real, and the costs stack: per-contract commissions, a platform licence (monthly or lifetime) and exchange market-data fees all add up. The mobile experience trails the desktop platform — this is software you sit down at.
How it compares to Tradovate
Same corporate family (Tradovate is part of NinjaTrader Group; both are Kraken companies since 2025), very different philosophies. NinjaTrader is heavy desktop software with the deeper charting, order-flow and automation toolkit; Tradovate is cloud-native with a modern web/mobile experience and a flat-fee membership that can reduce per-trade costs. Power users and automation builders lean NinjaTrader; web-and-mobile-first traders lean Tradovate. Both are NFA/CFTC-regulated and popular with prop-firm-funded traders.
Pros
- Excellent futures charting
- Strong automation tools
- Popular with funded traders
Cons
- Futures-focused (no stocks)
- Learning curve
- Data fees add up
Fees & hidden costs explained
Per-contract commissions; pricing varies by plan (monthly/lifetime licence). Exchange data fees apply.
Safety, regulation & availability
US: NinjaTrader's brokerage (NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC) is a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant and NFA member — now a Kraken company. Verify current registration via NFA BASIC. Futures products are not available to all regions equally.
Account protection: Futures accounts are not SIPC-insured; client funds are held under CFTC segregation rules. Verify specifics.
Available to retail traders in:
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Frequently asked questions
Is NinjaTrader good for prop-firm trading?
Yes — many US futures prop firms support NinjaTrader as a trading platform. Confirm platform support with your specific firm.
Who owns NinjaTrader?
Since May 2025, NinjaTrader is owned by Kraken, which acquired it for about $1.5B. It continues to operate as a standalone futures broker and platform.
Is NinjaTrader regulated?
Yes — NinjaTrader's brokerage (NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC) is a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant and NFA member. You can verify current registration via NFA BASIC.
Is my NinjaTrader account SIPC-protected?
No — futures accounts are not SIPC-insured. Client funds are held under CFTC segregation rules instead.
What does NinjaTrader cost?
Per-contract commissions plus platform licensing (monthly plans or an optional lifetime licence) and exchange market-data fees.
Can I paper trade on NinjaTrader?
Yes — NinjaTrader includes simulated/paper trading, widely used to learn the platform and rehearse strategies.
Official sources
Risk warning: Trading stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto, CFDs and funded accounts involves risk. You can lose money. This website is educational only and does not provide financial, investment, tax or legal advice.
Leverage, volatility, fees, spreads, liquidity and platform rules can increase losses.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you click some links on our site. This does not cost you extra. Our comparisons are educational and transparent, and our rankings are not affected by commissions.