TradeDay Supported Platforms: Complete 2026 Guide

You signed up for TradeDay, paid your subscription, and now you're staring at a dropdown menu asking which trading platform you want to use. Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, TradeDayX, Quantower, ATAS, Jigsaw — seven options and you have no idea which one to pick.

Most prop firms lock you into one platform, usually their proprietary software that looks like it was designed in 2003. TradeDay doesn't. They support seven different professional platforms, each with different strengths, learning curves, and costs beyond your evaluation subscription.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with TradeDay and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check TradeDay´s website or their faq page.

I started on Tradovate because it was web-based and simple. Six months later I switched to NinjaTrader for better order flow tools. Both worked fine with TradeDay — the platform choice didn't affect my evaluation rules or payout structure at all.

This is your complete breakdown of every platform TradeDay supports in 2026. What each one does best, what it costs, who should use it, and how to actually set it up with your TradeDay account.

The Seven Supported Platforms

Here's what you can choose from:

1. Tradovate — Web-based, beginner-friendly, most popular choice
2. NinjaTrader — Advanced desktop platform, best for order flow trading
3. TradingView — Best charts in the industry, limited execution features
4. TradeDayX — TradeDay's proprietary platform, DOM-focused
5. Quantower — Advanced order flow and market profile tools
6. ATAS — Specialized order flow and volume analysis platform
7. Jigsaw Trading — Scalping-focused with advanced DOM tools

You're not locked into one platform forever. You can switch between them during your evaluation or after you're funded. TradeDay doesn't care which platform you use as long as you follow the evaluation rules.

Let's break down each one.

Tradovate: The Default Choice

This is what 50-60% of TradeDay traders use, especially beginners.

What It Is

Tradovate is a web-based and mobile futures trading platform. You access it through your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) or their mobile apps. No download required, no installation, just log in and trade.

Why It's Popular

Dead simple to use: Clean interface, intuitive layout, easy to figure out without tutorials. You can go from signup to placing your first trade in under 10 minutes.

Works on any device: Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, Chromebook — doesn't matter. If it has a browser, it runs Tradovate.

Built-in charts and indicators: TradingView charts are integrated directly. You're not switching between platforms for charting vs execution.

No additional costs: Tradovate is free to use with TradeDay. You're not paying extra monthly fees for the platform itself.

What It's Missing

Tradovate is great for straightforward trading but lacks advanced features:

• Order flow tools are basic (no market profile, limited footprint charts)
• DOM (depth of market) is functional but not as detailed as dedicated scalping platforms
• Automation is limited compared to NinjaTrader
• Customization options are more restricted

Who Should Use Tradovate

Perfect for:

• Complete beginners to futures trading
• Traders who want simplicity over advanced features
• Anyone trading from multiple devices (laptop, phone, tablet)
• Swing traders who don't need ultra-fast execution or order flow analysis

Skip it if:

• You're a serious scalper needing advanced DOM tools
• You want to run automated strategies
• You need professional order flow analysis features

How to Set It Up

When you choose Tradovate in your TradeDay dashboard, you'll get login credentials. Go to trader.tradovate.com, log in, and you're connected to your TradeDay account automatically. Start trading immediately.

For complete platform setup instructions, see the platform connection guide.

NinjaTrader: The Pro's Choice

This is the most powerful platform TradeDay supports, but it has a learning curve.

What It Is

NinjaTrader is a desktop application for Windows (works on Mac via Parallels or Boot Camp). It's been the gold standard for professional futures traders for 15+ years.

Why Traders Love It

Order flow tools: Best-in-class market depth, order flow analysis, volume profiling. If you trade based on DOM reading or footprint charts, NinjaTrader is the platform.

Full automation support: You can code custom indicators and strategies using C#. Run automated trading systems, backtests, optimizations.

Massive customization: Everything is customizable — workspaces, hotkeys, chart templates, DOM layouts, literally everything.

Professional infrastructure: This is what institutional traders use. If you're serious about prop trading as a career, you'll eventually end up on NinjaTrader or something similar.

What It Costs

NinjaTrader is free for live trading (including with TradeDay). You don't need a license if you're just executing trades.

If you want advanced features like strategy backtesting, automated trading, or premium indicators, you pay:

• Lease: $60/month ($720/year)
• Lifetime License: $1,495 one-time

Most TradeDay traders use the free version and never upgrade. The free version is more than enough for manual trading.

The Learning Curve

NinjaTrader is not beginner-friendly. The interface is dense, there are 50+ settings to configure, and it takes days or weeks to set up your workspace how you want it.

Expect to spend 10-20 hours learning the platform before you're comfortable. There are tons of YouTube tutorials and the NinjaTrader forums are helpful, but it's a time investment.

Who Should Use NinjaTrader

Perfect for:

• Experienced traders who've used professional platforms before
• Order flow traders who need advanced DOM and footprint charts
• Anyone running automated strategies or custom indicators
• Traders who want maximum control and customization

Skip it if:

• You're brand new to futures trading (start with Tradovate, switch later if needed)
• You don't want to spend time learning a complex platform
• You trade from Mac and don't want to deal with Windows emulation

How to Set It Up

Download NinjaTrader from ninjatrader.com, install it, then connect it to TradeDay using the credentials provided in your TradeDay dashboard. Initial setup takes 30-60 minutes to configure workspaces and preferences.

TradingView: For the Chart Obsessed

TradingView has the best charting in the industry. If you're a technical trader who lives in chart patterns and indicators, this might be your platform.

What It Is

TradingView is primarily a charting platform with trading execution built in. You can analyze markets on their web platform or mobile apps, then execute trades directly through the charts.

Why Traders Use It

Best charts anywhere: Pine Script custom indicators, thousands of community-built tools, beautiful interface, smooth performance even with multiple timeframes open.

Social features: Follow other traders, share ideas, get trade alerts from analysts you follow.

Cross-asset analysis: You can chart stocks, forex, crypto, and futures all in one platform. Good for traders who look at correlations across markets.

What It's Missing for Serious Trading

TradingView is amazing for analysis but limited for execution:

No advanced DOM: The order entry is basic. You're clicking on charts to enter trades, not using a professional DOM ladder.

Limited order flow tools: You get some volume analysis, but nothing like NinjaTrader or Quantower.

Execution speed: Not built for scalping or rapid-fire execution. There's a tiny delay compared to dedicated trading platforms.

Who Should Use TradingView

Perfect for:

• Swing traders who analyze charts extensively before taking positions
• Traders who already have a TradingView Premium subscription
• Anyone who wants beautiful, clean charts with tons of indicators
• Part-time traders who check charts on mobile throughout the day

Skip it if:

• You're a scalper needing instant execution
• You trade primarily off order flow or DOM rather than chart patterns
• You need advanced order management tools

How to Set It Up

Connect your TradeDay account through TradingView's broker connections. You'll need TradingView Premium or Pro subscription ($15-60/month depending on plan) to enable live trading features.

TradeDayX: The In-House Option

TradeDay built their own platform specifically for prop traders. It's DOM-focused and simple.

What It Is

TradeDayX is TradeDay's proprietary web-based platform. It's designed to be cleaner than Tradovate but with more order flow features.

Why It Exists

TradeDay wanted a platform optimized specifically for evaluation trading — fast DOM execution, clear P&L display, integrated drawdown monitoring.

The Features

Clean DOM interface: Focuses on the order book ladder, not cluttered with extra features.

Built-in risk management: Your drawdown limits and profit progress display directly in the platform.

Fast execution: Optimized for TradeDay's systems, so order routing is instant.

What's Missing

It's fairly basic compared to NinjaTrader or even Tradovate. Limited charting, no advanced indicators, no automation.

Who Should Use TradeDayX

Perfect for:

• Scalpers who trade purely off the DOM
• Traders who want the simplest possible interface
• Anyone who doesn't need charting beyond basic price action

Skip it if:

• You rely heavily on technical indicators
• You want extensive charting tools
• You need any kind of automation

Quantower, ATAS, Jigsaw: The Specialized Tools

These three platforms serve specific niches. Most TradeDay traders don't use them, but they're available if you need their specialized features.

Quantower

Advanced order flow platform with professional market profile, volume analysis, and options analytics. It's like NinjaTrader but more focused on institutional-style order flow trading.

Use it if: You're an experienced order flow trader who needs tools beyond what NinjaTrader offers.

Cost: Free basic version, paid versions $50-250/month depending on features.

ATAS (Advanced Time And Sales)

Specialized in cluster analysis, volume profiles, and order flow footprints. Very granular data visualization.

Use it if: You're deep into volume profiling and need every tick of data visualized.

Cost: $29-99/month depending on package.

Jigsaw Trading

Built specifically for scalpers. Ultra-fast DOM, reconstruction tools to see real vs fake liquidity, specialized order flow indicators.

Use it if: You scalp for ticks and need the absolute fastest execution with advanced DOM features.

Cost: $50-160/month depending on tools.

Platform Comparison Table

Here's everything side-by-side:

Can You Switch Platforms Mid-Evaluation?

Yes. TradeDay doesn't lock you into one platform.

During Evaluation

You can switch platforms any time during your evaluation. Your progress (profit, trading days, consistency) carries over — it's tied to your TradeDay account, not the platform you're using.

Example: Start on Tradovate for the first week. Realize you want better order flow tools. Switch to NinjaTrader and continue your evaluation right where you left off.

After You're Funded

Same flexibility. Switch between platforms whenever you want. Your funded account works with any supported platform.

The Practical Reality

Most traders pick one platform and stick with it. Switching requires learning a new interface, setting up new hotkeys, and adjusting to different order entry flows. It's doable but annoying.

The time to experiment with platforms is before you pay for your TradeDay subscription. Download demo versions of NinjaTrader, Tradovate, etc., and trade sim for a week on each. Figure out which you like, then subscribe to TradeDay using that platform.

My Recommendation by Trader Type

Here's what I'd choose based on experience level:

Complete Beginners (Never Traded Futures)

Start with Tradovate. It's the easiest to learn and you can start trading within an hour of signup. Once you pass your evaluation and understand how futures work, you can explore NinjaTrader if you want more tools.

Intermediate Traders (Some Futures Experience)

Go NinjaTrader. You have the basics down, now you want professional tools. The learning curve is worth it for the order flow features and customization.

Chart-Focused Traders (Technical Analysis Heavy)

Use TradingView. If you're already a TradingView user for stocks or crypto and you want to transition to futures, just keep using what you know. The execution is fine for swing trading.

Professional Scalpers

Try NinjaTrader first, then consider Jigsaw or TradeDayX if you need even faster DOM execution. Tradovate won't cut it for serious scalping.

Mac Users Who Don't Want Windows Emulation

Tradovate or TradingView. Both are web-based and work natively on Mac. NinjaTrader requires Boot Camp or Parallels which adds complexity.

For more on choosing the right account size and drawdown type to pair with your platform choice, check those guides.

Common Platform Issues and Solutions

Here are problems traders run into:

Issue: Platform Won't Connect to TradeDay

Cause: Wrong credentials or connection settings.

Solution: Log into your TradeDay dashboard, go to platform settings, copy the exact credentials provided. Try disconnecting and reconnecting. Contact TradeDay support if it still fails.

Issue: Orders Not Filling or Slow Execution

Cause: Usually your internet connection, not the platform.

Solution: Check your internet speed (need 10+ Mbps minimum). Close other apps using bandwidth. If on WiFi, switch to wired ethernet.

Issue: Charts Not Loading or Indicators Not Working

Cause: Platform data feed issue or subscription problem.

Solution: For TradingView, verify your paid subscription is active. For NinjaTrader, reconnect data feed. For Tradovate, clear browser cache and refresh.

Issue: Can't Figure Out How to Set Stop Loss

Cause: Each platform has different order entry methods.

Solution: YouTube search "[Platform Name] how to place stop loss order." Every platform has different flows for OCO orders, brackets, and stops.

Platform Doesn't Affect Your Evaluation Rules

This is important: your choice of platform doesn't change TradeDay's requirements.

Same profit targets. Same drawdown limits. Same position limits. Same prohibited practices.

Whether you trade on Tradovate or NinjaTrader, you still need $2,500 profit on a $100K account, 5 trading days minimum, 30% consistency rule, and you can't trade Tier 1 news events.

The platform is just the tool you use to execute. The rules are universal across all platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy anything besides my TradeDay subscription?

For Tradovate, TradeDayX, and NinjaTrader (basic), no additional cost. For TradingView, you need a paid subscription ($15+/month). For Quantower, ATAS, and Jigsaw, you need their platform subscriptions.

Can I use my existing NinjaTrader license with TradeDay?

Yes. If you already have NinjaTrader installed and licensed, just connect it to your TradeDay account using the provided credentials.

What if the platform I want isn't supported?

You can't use unsupported platforms with TradeDay. If you want to use Sierra Chart or a custom platform, you'll need to find a different prop firm that supports it.

Does platform choice affect my payout speed?

No. Payouts go through TradeDay's Riseworks system regardless of which platform you trade on. All payout timelines are identical.

Can I use multiple platforms simultaneously?

Technically yes, but you can only be logged into one at a time on your TradeDay account. You'd be switching between them, not running both concurrently.

Do I need a powerful computer for these platforms?

Tradovate and TradingView work on any computer (even Chromebooks). NinjaTrader, Quantower, ATAS, and Jigsaw need a decent Windows PC — 8GB+ RAM, reasonable processor. Nothing extreme, but not a 10-year-old laptop.

Bottom Line: Start Simple, Upgrade If Needed

If you're unsure which platform to choose, default to Tradovate. It's free, it's easy, and it works for 80% of trading styles. You can always switch to NinjaTrader or another platform later if you realize you need advanced features.

Don't let platform choice become an excuse to delay starting your evaluation. Pick something reasonable, learn it, and focus on passing your evaluation. The platform is just the tool — your strategy and risk management are what matter.

For everything else about TradeDay — evaluation rules, pricing, payouts, and real trader experiences — check the complete TradeDay review.

Pick your platform. Start trading. Pass your evaluation.

Your Next Steps

‍👉 Start Trading at TradeDay Today

‍👉 Read My Full TradeDay Review

‍👉 Check out TradeDay´s Payout Rules

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