"Your First Trading Platform:

A Practical Companion to Issue #3"

🔧 Intro

This document is a practical follow-up to The Indentured Trader, Issue #3.
If you’re looking for a simulator to start practicing with, this guide cuts through the noise and gives you direct links, real-world notes, and key considerations to help you make a choice fast — so you can stop platform-hopping and start learning execution.

This is not a review or ranking — it’s a short list of platforms I’ve used personally.
You’re not trying to find the best platform in the world. You’re trying to pick one, learn it cold, and use it to develop muscle memory and execution skill.

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🖥️ SECTION 1 — What You’re Looking For

Before you decide, here’s what matters most at this stage:

• ✅ Includes simulator mode (non-negotiable)

• ✅ Live data available (~$5–$15/month)

• ✅ Supports the asset class you intend to trade

• ✅ Is compatible with any prop firm or evaluation you may pursue

• ✅ Simple, intuitive charting and execution

• ✅ You can learn it in under a week

Platforms like Sierra Chart, TradeStation are all full online brokers and you can trade every asset class there is. These platforms will demand far more time as the learning curve is much steeper.

📊 SECTION 2 — Quick Platform Breakdown

Below are a few platforms I’ve personally used, along with comments and affiliate links where available.

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1. Tradovate

🔗 https://www.tradovate.com

• Futures only.

• Clean interface, web-based, fast.

• Built-in simulator and order flow tools.

• Easy for beginners to pick up.

• Used by several major prop firms (e.g. Topstep, Apex).

• Downside: very limited if you're not trading futures.

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2. NinjaTrader

🔗 https://ninjatrader.com

• Futures focused, but heavy desktop software.

• Offers a free version with sim + live data package (~$14).

• Steeper learning curve.

• Extremely detailed customization — a plus if you’re technical.

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3. TradingView

🔗 https://www.tradingview.com

• Wide asset support: stocks, forex, crypto, indices.

• Great for visual learners.

• Fast, modern interface.

• Simulator is good but not execution-based.

• Not directly supported by most futures prop firms.

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4. Sierra Chart

🔗 https://www.sierrachart.com

• Built for serious futures traders.

• Exceptional data handling and depth-of-market display.

• Steepest learning curve.

• Excellent for scalpers once you get comfortable.

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5. Jigsaw Daytrading

🔗 https://www.jigsawtrading.com/

Hardcore order flow platform.

• Simulator is excellent — real execution feel.

• More for intermediate/advanced traders.

• Expensive, but widely respected.

6. Ironbeam

🔗 https://www.ironbeam.com

• Easy order flow platform.

• Simulator is adequate — I experienced a few issues

• Beginners — Easy to learn — Simple interface.

• Good place to start, not widely known.

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🪪 SECTION 3 — Prop Firm Compatibility

If you plan to test with an evaluation company at some point, start with a platform they already support. Saves you the trouble of switching later.
Most common prop firm platforms:

• Topstep → Tradovate, NinjaTrader

• Apex → Tradovate, NinjaTrader

• Leeloo → Rithmic feed (via NinjaTrader or others)

Double-check before committing. Detailed issue on Prop Firms comes later when you are ready.

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🧠 SECTION 4 — What You Should Do Next

1. Choose one platform — TODAY.
   Don’t compare endlessly. Pick one that feels right and commit.

2. Fund the account (even $20 is fine).
   Get live data. Treat it like it’s real.

3. Learn every screen, button, and hotkey.
   Build muscle memory so the tool disappears and you can focus on execution.

4. Trade one market. One time frame. One time of day. One style.
   Do this until you stop caring about the platform — and start caring about results.

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🧾 Final Note

This sheet isn’t meant to give you every option — it’s meant to remove 90% of the noise. You’ll only get better by doing, not by searching.

I am currently using Tradovate as my go to simulator, live trading and any prop firm evaluations. It simply works for me. It is intuitive and allows me the features I want from a platform.

Ninja Trader acquired Tradovate approximately three years ago. The platforms are almost identical. Ninja Trader is more sophisticated than Tradovate in its features and customization’s. I have no idea if Ninja Trader intends to phase out Tradovate or not. If they do, you won’t lose anything, if you learned Tradovate, you will be able to transfer to Ninja Trader with little or no transition time.

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