Interactive Brokers vs. NinjaTrader 2022

In this article, it’s Interactive Brokers vs. NinjaTrader, where we’ll be comparing the two prominent trading platforms.

At a Glance

Although NinjaTrader is a worthy competitor, Interactive Brokers offers more valuable features that can benefit a variety of users. With a wide range of investment options, solid security, and over 8,300 no-transaction-fee mutual funds, it’s easy to see why Interactive Brokers is the right choice.

There are many factors to consider when you’re deciding on what trading platform to use. Ask yourself a few questions before you make your final decision. Are you a casual or advanced trader? Are you trading internationally? Do you value research and education? Once you know these answers, you’ll be better equipped to choose the platform that best suits you.

Which trading platform is best? Keep reading to see which one reigns supreme when it comes to online investing.

Feature Comparison

Fees

Money is what it’s all about, and you need to know what fees you’ll be paying when using each platform. Let’s take a look at the differences between each trading site regarding trade and withdrawal fees.

Interactive Brokers features low per-share pricing, commissions, and margin rates. With an IBKR Lite account, you benefit from unlimited free trades on U.S. stocks and ETFs without paying an account fee. An IBKR Pro account requires $.005 per share and between $10-$20 per month, depending on how much money you have in your account. However, you can acquire an inactivity fee using this subscription.

NinjaTraders also has low trading fees and future fees but high withdrawal fees ranging between $30-$40 per withdrawal. It also charges a fee to inactive users.

Overall, it was a close call, but we think Interactive Brokers beats NinjaTraders in this section for its low withdrawal fees (one free withdrawal per month and $1 for any additional withdrawals).

Range of Products

Sometimes you don’t want to be limited to specific markets, and you want to branch out. What types of products do these platforms offer, and are they enough for you?

Interactive Brokers has an enormous collection of products and markets for you to choose from. These include stock, ETF, Forex, fund, bond, options, futures, and CFD investments. The possibilities are endless with this platform!

NinjaTraders is a more limited platform that only offers options and futures, which can be restrictive for users who’d like more than just a couple of choices.

This one was exceptionally easy. Interactive Brokers takes the cake with its vast assortment of products.

Ease of Use

The tools you use need to be user-friendly. After all, you need to understand how to get around and take advantage of all the amazing features. What’s the hype all about if there’s no proof?

Interactive Brokers’ website can be confusing and somewhat tricky to navigate. The account opening process and desktop trading platform are also pretty complicated. However, with this platform, you can access your market data 24 hours a day, six days a week and invest worldwide from a single account and choose from 135 markets, 33 countries, and 23 currencies.

On the other hand, NinjaTraders has a more intuitive and fully digital trading platform, which may be easier for those who are more technically challenged. However, the account verification process can take up to five business days, and they only offer a desktop version. Still, we think they win this round.

Research Tools & Educational Materials

It’s beneficial when trading platforms offer specific research tools and educational materials to help you make the best investments. You know knowledge is power, and you want to make the most of your trades.

Interactive Brokers provides extensive research offerings and educational tools that are free or account-based. Whether you’re a trader or investor, you can find plenty of helpful information on both the client portal and the Interactive Brokers mobile app. You can even observe international trading data in real-time, perfect for traders and investors who do their work on a global scale.

NinjaTraders ranks high when it comes to research tools for technical trading. They don’t offer trading ideas, but they have fantastic interactive charts and analytical tools. They also have wonderful educational tools such as an organized Help Guide, demo accounts, how-to videos, and informative webinars.

We think these two platforms are relatively equal on this point. Still, NinjaTraders is just slightly better since its platform is easier to use, allowing users to find the research tools and educational materials they need quickly and easily.

Safety

When you’re making trades and investing your money, you need to know that you’re protected. Let’s look at how these two platforms measure up when it comes to safety.

Interactive Brokers offers plenty of features to ensure that your investments and information are safe and secure. Their platform is listed on the stock exchange, provides protection for negative balances, and is monitored by the most elite financial authorities.

NinjaTraders is not listed on the stock exchange, does not have two-step login authentication, and does not disclose its financial information to the public. These can all be a cause of concern for some users.

After considering these security factors, we believe Interactive Brokers is the best when it comes to safety.

Interactive Brokers vs. NinjaTrader: Interactive Brokers

When it comes to the range of products and markets, safety, and fees, Interactive Brokers comes out on top in the NinjaTraders vs. Interactive Brokers matchup.

If you’re someone who is searching for a trading platform with low fees and professional trading, Interactive Brokers is a no-brainer. If you’re a trader who is actively trading and concentrates on futures, you should go with NinjaTrader.

Although Interactive Brokers is the overall winner, NinjaTraders can still offer a variety of advantages for people looking for options and futures. It all comes down to your specific needs and investing preferences.

Start Investing and Trading Today

Are you interested in using one of these trading platforms to make wise financial investments? Open an account today or visit the Interactive Broker or NinjaTrader websites today to learn more. You’re one click away from investing in your future!