NinjaTrader vs Interactive Brokers
NinjaTrader is a trading platform and brokerage service for active futures and forex traders. How does it compare to Interactive Brokers? Read our comparison chart below.
NinjaTrader is an online trading platform and broker for futures and forex. It has advanced charting tools and offers free, monthly, and lifetime plans. It has no deposit minimum, and commissions can be as low as $0.09 per contract with the lifetime plan.
While Interactive Brokers offers trades starting at just 0.5 cents per share. It also offers a tiered pricing plan that awards high volume traders with even lower rates. There is a $10,000 opening account minimum ($3,000 for clients 25 and younger). There is a monthly activity fee unless required commission minimums are met.
Compare NinjaTrader with Interactive Brokers, side-by-side. Read on for an in-depth look, including ratings, reviews, pros and cons.
NinjaTrader | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|
Futures Trading Simulator - | Referral Program - $200 Bonus - | |
Benefits and Features | ||
| Stock Trading | IBKR Lite: $0 per share (min $0 per order) IBKR Pro - Fixed: $0.0005 per share (min $1.00 per order, max 1.0% of trade value) IBKR Pro - Tiered: Starts at $0.0035 per share for less than 300,000 shares (min $0.35 per order, max 1% of trade value) | |
| Options Trading | $0.15-$0.65 per contract ($1 minimum per order) | |
| Annual Fee | Free Plan: $0 Monthly Plan: $99/mo Lifetime Plan: $1,499 one-time payment | |
| Cryptocurrency Trading | 0.12% to 0.18% of trade value ($1.75 minimum per order) | |
| Minimum Deposit | ||
| Mutual Fund Trading | $0 for no-transaction-fee funds. For transaction-fee funds, 3% trade value OR $14.95, per transaction, whichever is less | |
| Commission Free ETFs | ||
| Broker Assisted Trades | ||
| Inactivity Fee | ||
| Maintenance Fee | ||
| Banking | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Desktop App | ||
| Forex Trading | Available for qualified customers | |
| Futures Trading | $1.29 per Standard contract per side for Free Plan, $0.99 for Monthly Plan, and $0.59 for Lifetime Plan | |
| Customer Service | Phone: 800-496-1683 24/5 Live Support Email: support@ninjatrader.com Live Chat Web Form | United States: Monday-Friday 8am - 10pm ET; Sunday 1pm - 7pm ET (24/7 Weekday service available in other countries) |
| Locations | ||
| Online Community | ||
| Seminars | ||
| Trading Platform | Desktop, Web Trading, Mobile Apps | |
| Virtual Trading | ||
CreditDonkey® Reviews | ||
| Online Platform |   | |
| Customer Service | | |
| Ease of Use |  | |
| Education | | |
| Research | | |
| Stock Trading | | |
| Options Trading | | |
| Mutual Fund Trading | | |
| Banking | | |
| Mobile App | | |
| Commissions and Fees | | |
| Pros & Cons | Pros:
| Pros:
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| Bottom Line | Trading platform and brokerage service for active futures and forex traders... | Good discount broker for experienced, high volume traders... |
Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details. NinjaTrader: Pricing information from published websites as of 09/18/2025. Interactive Brokers: Pricing information from published websites as of 10/17/2023. | ||
Which is Better: NinjaTrader or Interactive Brokers?
Still need help deciding which investing is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing NinjaTrader or TradeStation.
In short: NinjaTrader's ease of use and research are worth mentioning. In particular, the research is outstanding.
Articles on NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review
Articles on Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers
Which Do You Think is Best?
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