BTC65420.0 2.40%
ETH3500.0 1.20%
EUR/USD1.0840 0.10%
GBP/USD1.2650 0.05%
GOLD2350.0 0.80%
OIL85.4000 0.50%
SPX5200.0 0.60%
NDX18100.0 0.90%
USD/JPY151.2 0.20%
TSLA175.4 1.20%
BTC65420.0 2.40%
ETH3500.0 1.20%
EUR/USD1.0840 0.10%
GBP/USD1.2650 0.05%
GOLD2350.0 0.80%
OIL85.4000 0.50%
SPX5200.0 0.60%
NDX18100.0 0.90%
USD/JPY151.2 0.20%
TSLA175.4 1.20%

NinjaTrader Review

4.5

NinjaTrader is the premier destination for active futures traders. It offers a professional-grade platform (NinjaTrader 8) with advanced charting, market replay, and strategy building capabilities. In 2025, it remains the low-cost leader with commissions as low as $0.09 per Micro contract for Lifetime license holders.

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NinjaTrader Brokerage™ is a member of NFA and is subject to NFA's regulatory oversight and examinations.

Pros

  • Low commissions ($0.09 micros with Lifetime)
  • Industry-standard charting & analysis (NT8)
  • Vast ecosystem of 3rd party indicators/apps
  • $50 intraday margins on Micros

Cons

  • Lifetime license is expensive ($1,499)
  • Data fees apply (CME/EUREX)
  • Steep learning curve for new users

Pricing Plans

NinjaTrader offers three tiers: 1. **Free**: $0/mo, higher commissions ($1.29 standard / $0.39 micro). 2. **Monthly**: $99/mo, lower commissions. 3. **Lifetime**: $1,499 one-time fee, lowest commissions ($0.59 standard / $0.09 micro). The Lifetime plan is best for high-volume traders.

Platform Ecosystem

The NinjaTrader 8 platform is legendary for its customization. It features C# based strategy building, thousands of 3rd party add-ons, and a high-fidelity "Market Replay" tool that allows you to practice trading on historical data as if it were live.

FAQs about NinjaTrader

What is the minimum deposit?

There is no minimum deposit to open an account. However, you need at least $400-$500 to trade effectively given the margin requirements.

What are the margin rates?

Intraday margins are very low: $50 for Micro contracts and $500 for E-mini contracts (S&P 500, Nasdaq). Overnight margins are set by the exchange.

Can I trade crypto?

You can trade Bitcoin and Ether Futures (including Micro contracts) via CME. Direct spot crypto trading is not available.

Is it available on Mac?

NinjaTrader 8 is a Windows-native application. Mac users must use Parallels or similar software. However, the new Web and Mobile platforms work on any device.

What are the data fees?

For non-professional users, CME data (Top of Book) costs $12/month for the full bundle or $4/month per exchange.

Regulatory Risk Warning

Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment.