I’m an electronic/pit commodity futures trader with volume being 90/10, respectively. I trade a mix of technical and fundamental, with reasons for trades being based on fundamental and backed up with technical.
I’ve been looking at software, and am almost scared to try anything other than Tradestation 8. Is there anything out there that is better at utilizing market data and testing strategies?
I don’t expect to trade through Tradestation, instead I usually trade on the ladders through CQG. I use CQG trader basically because most people do, and it seems to be the quickest. I’ve also been told about Cunningham Trading Systems, but their website doesn’t give me much info about how their product…
So, can anyone give me a good idea of what software is the most nimble, understandable, worth it, and smart with new meaningful extras that put it in a class by itself?
Is tradestation really the best? There’s so much software out there, and tradestation seems to overshadow everyone else with marketing.
Professionals only please.
Reminder: I will be trading primarily commodity futures. I’m in love with think or swim’s design, but not ‘how technical their charts go’, and ability to personalize. Don’t get me wrong, if I was trading equity options, I would likely be all over it. Espeicially the CNBC tab, how cool? I called think or swim, and they don’t even cover two of the obscure domestic markets I specialize in. They’re really not up on their futures game.
March 1st, 2009 at 7:30 am
I buy/short stocks and do a little bit of option trading. Their is a Barron’s article that claim the tradestation is #1. But you gotta take it with a grain of salt.
I have looked at Interactive brokers, tradestation and thinkorswim and read quite a few blogs.
I ended up going with thinkorswim because the platform seems a lot easier for me to use. My eyes kinda glazed over when I demoed the tradestation. People answer the phone right away with TOS and I have not had it go platform down on me.
TOS has someone else do their own clearing.
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 am
Many of the Traders I know that use TOS for their stocks and options trades use other brokers and platforms for their index trades (NQ, ES, YM and Dax). Ninja is a platform that can be used with many brokers with low commissions like Mirus or Interactive Brokers, Alternatively you can go with an all in one platform/broker like Infinity Brokerage. If you are trading many contracts you will appreciate the low commissions.