Building a free browser DOM/SMC simulator - need some advice from the pros

Hey folks,

New guy here. Been lurking around for a while now, reading thru all those massive threads on Bookmap vs Jigsaw and the Sierra vs NinjaTrader arguments.

Im just trying to make the jump to futures (mostly lookin at ES and NQ), but man... the cost of all these platform subs, MBO feeds, and replay tools is definitly a bit overwhelming when youre just starting out.

I do some web dev for my day job, so I figured I'd try to code up a few simple free browser simulators. Basicly just wanted to practice some institutional setups without shelling out for live data and heavy software right off the bat.

I put together some step-by-step drills for:

DOM Scalping (order book / level 2 stuff)
Smart Money Concepts (FVGs and liquidity sweeps)
Macro Event Trading (trying to fade those crazy 8:30 AM CPI whipsaws)

Its not live data or anything fancy—just visual practice modules to help build some muscle memory for execution and recognizing patterns.

My question for the pros here who use Jigsaw or Sierra everyday:
Is a mechanical web-based drill actually usefull for a beginner to get a feel for order flow and market microstructure? Or should I just bite the bullet, pay up for Sierra + Denali feed, and learn the hard way?

Appreciate any advice y'all can give me.