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Probably the best idea is to take a free trial of Ninja and see how it works for you and how you like it. As I recall, you can get a 2-week trial with live data (simulated trading, of course), and I believe they will extend it for another 2 weeks on request. Of course, expect a lot of emails from them bugging you to set up the account, but they are a broker, after all.
I have used and liked both. I currently use Sierra Chart because it meets my needs overall, but this is mostly personal. Your mileage may and will vary. But Ninja is much easier to use and to learn, and as Mike said, there is a ton of additional indicator add-ons available here and elsewhere for NT, and there will be a lot of info/advice on this forum if you need more help.
Try it out, see what you think. That's the only real way to answer your questions.
Bob.
When one door closes, another opens.
-- Cervantes, Don Quixote
I have used SC many years ago, later Visual Chart and NT8 for 5 years ago, using IB broker.
Despite I see many drawbacks in NT8, and some "stupid" easy features that NT8 team have not implement (like automatic reconnection when broker app is self-restarted), I finally decided to buy a life-time license.
You can easily create custom indicators, strategies, integrated them with manual-trading, etc, there is tons of documentation on ninja forums an the customer service is good, even they can have a interactive session with you using build-in teamviewer feature in NT8.
I am a professional coder, and despite I don't like C#, is quite easily to take an existing indicator, strategy, etc and with few changes build-what-ever-you-need, because I have to say that the architecture and scaffolding are well designed to be easily used for a non-coder person.
I have no idea of how is coding SC ecosystem, but I have planned to review SC before start to coding my own trading platform and override all limitations that NT8 has.
I agree that the best option is to try a demo licensed and have your own opinion.
I did that same comparison/assessment 8yrs ago when I was choosing my platform - and then never looked back as I got hooked into the NT echosystem obviously.
I had tried both platforms for a while, then opted for NT which I found indeed easier and more intuitive.
At that time, NT8 was not out yet, and there were some significant gaps btw Sierrachart and ninjatrader.... but I think that gap has been bridged quite considerably although no perfectly. Depends on your needs from the platform as Mike rightfully asked.
In the latest NT8 release, when you buy the lifetime license you also get access to order flow suite. This has made it for me in terms of gaps I was mostly lacking from NT7 compared to Sierra (we are talking out of the box of course, cause you can always create/program your own stuff too with C#).
I also feel that the NT interface is more refined. dunno...
I've never used NT brokers, I've always been with IB, and never had any pressure/need to move to NT brokerage.
Successful people will do what unsuccessful people won't or can't do!
Many brokers cannot take new clients onto NT platform. For old clients there is often a "grandfather"-clause in place if that broker worked with Ninjatrader in the past.
With IB you seem to be able to get Ninjatrader as your trading platform, but if I am not mistaken, this is because IB routes everything you do in Ninjatrader through an API into TraderWorkStation (their own platform), thus adding another layer of communication and possible errors.
I don't use SC just because I don't.
I've used many other platforms and am currently with NT.
I'm older than dirt so I have several data providers (brokers) that I can use with NT
(grandfathered in).
I have an account with NT Brokers also.
For new purchasers to NT you will probably want to use their brokerage.
It has reasonable rates and good support.
One advantage is that NT7 is also still available (more indicators on that platform)
But if you prefer, NT8 is becoming the go to platform for NT users.
I am currently using NT7 because I write my own systems/indicators and have been satisfied with the way they perform in NT7 and I have not converted them to NT8.
The advantage on becoming an elite member here at Futures.io is not in the discounts but that is just a perk you can take advantage of by joining. You will find the biggest advantage is the vast amount of knowledge and experience in the Elite area of the forum. Nothing even close to this elsewhere.
Rejoice in the Thunderstorms of Life . . .
Knowing it's not about Clouds or Wind. . .
But Learning to Dance in the Rain ! ! !