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Choosing the right footprint chart software depends on your platform, trading style, and the level of detail you need. The market offers several options ranging from built-in platform features to specialized third-party indicators. This comparison covers the leading footprint chart solutions available in 2026, with honest assessments of their strengths and limitations.
What to Look for in Footprint Software
Before comparing specific products, understand the key criteria that separate basic footprint tools from professional-grade solutions:
- Display modes: Can it show BidxAsk, Delta, Volume, and other views? Can you display multiple views simultaneously?
- Imbalance detection: Does it automatically identify and highlight stacked imbalances? Is the ratio configurable?
- VPOC tracking: Does it track naked (unvisited) VPOCs across bars?
- Customization depth: How many parameters can you adjust? Can you customize colors, thresholds, and display options?
- Performance: How does it handle loading multiple days of tick data without lagging?
- Integration: Does it work within your existing platform or require a separate application?
Platform-Specific Solutions
NinjaTrader Order Flow+ (Built-in)
NinjaTrader 8 includes a basic volumetric bar feature called Order Flow+. It’s available with a NinjaTrader license at no additional cost.
Pros: No additional purchase needed, integrated directly into the platform, basic bid/ask display works
Cons: Very limited customization options, no automatic stacked imbalance detection, no naked VPOC tracking, no dual-profile capability, minimal color configuration, lacks many features that experienced footprint traders consider essential
Best for: Traders who want a quick look at bid/ask volume without investing in specialized tools. Fine for evaluation, but most traders outgrow it quickly.
SidiFootprint (NinjaTrader 8)
SidiFootprint is a comprehensive footprint analysis indicator built exclusively for NinjaTrader 8. It represents the most feature-rich footprint solution available on the platform.
Pros: 910+ configurable settings (the most of any NinjaTrader footprint tool), automatic stacked imbalance detection with zone extension, naked VPOC tracking across bars, dual-profile system (display two views simultaneously), Market Memory Zones (proprietary feature for tracking historical significant levels), complete color customization for every element (no preset themes, full freedom), part of a larger ecosystem (SidiChartTrader, SidiDeltaPro for additional analysis tools)
Cons: NinjaTrader 8 exclusive (not available on other platforms), the depth of settings can be overwhelming initially (though defaults work well out of the box)
Best for: Serious NinjaTrader traders who want maximum control over their footprint analysis. The 14-day free trial lets you evaluate everything before purchasing.
Standalone Platforms with Built-in Footprint
ATAS (Advanced Trading Analytical Software)
ATAS is a standalone charting platform built around order flow analysis. Footprint charts are one of its core features rather than an add-on.
Pros: Purpose-built for order flow analysis, good variety of footprint views, cluster search for finding specific volume patterns, supports multiple data feeds
Cons: Separate platform from your execution platform (you’ll likely need to run it alongside NinjaTrader or another broker platform for actual order entry), monthly subscription model (more expensive long-term than one-time purchase indicators), steeper learning curve for the full platform, can’t integrate directly into NinjaTrader’s workflow
Best for: Traders willing to run a dedicated analysis platform separately from their execution platform. Strong choice if you want a complete order flow analysis environment and don’t mind the dual-platform workflow.
Sierra Chart
Sierra Chart is a lightweight, high-performance charting platform with built-in footprint (called “Numbers Bars”) and volume profile tools.
Pros: Extremely fast performance, low system resource usage, built-in footprint and volume profile, competitive pricing, direct trading support through several brokers
Cons: Interface feels dated compared to modern platforms, steep learning curve for configuration, footprint customization is less visual and more spreadsheet-like, smaller community and fewer educational resources
Best for: Performance-focused traders who prioritize speed and reliability over visual polish. Popular among experienced traders who value efficiency over ease of use.
Quantower
Quantower is a multi-asset trading platform with built-in footprint charts as part of its order flow analysis suite.
Pros: Modern interface, supports multiple brokers and data feeds, footprint charts included in the platform, good volume profile integration
Cons: Relatively newer platform with a smaller community, some features still in development, advanced footprint features may lag behind dedicated tools
Best for: Traders looking for a modern, multi-asset platform with integrated order flow tools.
Feature Comparison
Here’s how the main options compare across the features that matter most for footprint trading:
Display modes: SidiFootprint leads with its dual-profile system allowing two simultaneous views. ATAS and Sierra Chart offer multiple view modes but typically one at a time. NinjaTrader Order Flow+ offers limited views.
Imbalance detection: SidiFootprint provides automatic stacked imbalance detection with configurable ratios and zone extension. ATAS has cluster search functionality for finding patterns. Sierra Chart requires manual configuration for imbalance highlighting. Order Flow+ lacks automatic detection.
VPOC tracking: SidiFootprint automatically tracks and displays naked VPOCs. Most other tools show the VPOC per bar but don’t track unvisited ones across bars without additional configuration.
Customization: SidiFootprint’s 910+ settings provide the most granular control. ATAS and Sierra Chart offer significant customization but through different interfaces. Order Flow+ has minimal customization.
Performance: Sierra Chart is the performance leader. SidiFootprint and ATAS handle typical loads well but Sierra Chart excels with very large data sets. Order Flow+ performance is tied to NinjaTrader’s built-in capabilities.
Cost Comparison
Pricing models vary significantly:
- NinjaTrader Order Flow+: Included with NinjaTrader license (free with platform)
- SidiFootprint: One-time purchase with 14-day free trial. No recurring fees. Updates included.
- ATAS: Monthly subscription model. Costs accumulate over time.
- Sierra Chart: Monthly subscription, though very affordable compared to alternatives.
- Quantower: Freemium model with paid tiers for advanced features.
For NinjaTrader users, SidiFootprint’s one-time purchase model is the most cost-effective long-term, especially compared to subscription-based standalone platforms.
Making Your Decision
If you already use NinjaTrader: Start with Order Flow+ to understand the basics. When you need more depth, move to SidiFootprint for the most comprehensive footprint solution on the platform. The 14-day free trial makes this risk-free.
If you don’t have a platform yet: Consider whether you want an integrated solution (NinjaTrader + SidiFootprint) or a standalone analysis platform (ATAS, Sierra Chart). The integrated approach is simpler; the standalone approach gives you platform independence but adds complexity.
If performance is your top priority: Sierra Chart is the fastest option, though the interface trade-off is significant.
If you want maximum analytical depth in one tool: SidiFootprint’s 910+ settings, dual-profile system, automatic imbalance detection, and naked VPOC tracking provide the deepest single-indicator analysis available on NinjaTrader.
