Quick Overview
- 1#1: Sierra Chart - High-performance trading platform offering advanced footprint charts, order flow analysis, and customizable volume profiles.
- 2#2: ATAS - Specialized order flow platform with cluster and footprint charts for detailed market microstructure analysis.
- 3#3: Jigsaw Trading - Order flow trading tools featuring real-time footprint charts and depth & sales visualization.
- 4#4: Bookmap - Visual order flow platform with heatmap-style footprint charts for liquidity and momentum tracking.
- 5#5: NinjaTrader - Popular futures trading platform with Order Flow+ suite including volumetric footprint bars.
- 6#6: Quantower - Multi-asset trading platform providing free footprint charts and advanced volume analysis tools.
- 7#7: Volfix - Professional order flow software with footprint and cluster analysis for stock and futures markets.
- 8#8: ExoCharts - Crypto and futures platform specializing in footprint imbalance charts and order flow indicators.
- 9#9: Overcharts - Order flow and footprint charting tool with DOM visualization and volume clustering features.
- 10#10: Investor/RT - Advanced technical analysis platform supporting footprint-style volume profiles and order flow studies.
These tools were selected and ranked based on advanced features (footprint chart functionality, order flow insights), overall quality (usability, stability), and value (pricing, accessibility), ensuring relevance for traders ranging from beginners to experts.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top footprint chart software options, including Sierra Chart, ATAS, Jigsaw Trading, Bookmap, NinjaTrader, and more, to guide informed decisions. Readers will uncover key features, performance traits, and unique strengths tailored to various trading needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Chart High-performance trading platform offering advanced footprint charts, order flow analysis, and customizable volume profiles. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 10/10 | 6.0/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 2 | ATAS Specialized order flow platform with cluster and footprint charts for detailed market microstructure analysis. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Jigsaw Trading Order flow trading tools featuring real-time footprint charts and depth & sales visualization. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Bookmap Visual order flow platform with heatmap-style footprint charts for liquidity and momentum tracking. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | NinjaTrader Popular futures trading platform with Order Flow+ suite including volumetric footprint bars. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Quantower Multi-asset trading platform providing free footprint charts and advanced volume analysis tools. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 7 | Volfix Professional order flow software with footprint and cluster analysis for stock and futures markets. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | ExoCharts Crypto and futures platform specializing in footprint imbalance charts and order flow indicators. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Overcharts Order flow and footprint charting tool with DOM visualization and volume clustering features. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 10 | Investor/RT Advanced technical analysis platform supporting footprint-style volume profiles and order flow studies. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.1/10 |
High-performance trading platform offering advanced footprint charts, order flow analysis, and customizable volume profiles.
Specialized order flow platform with cluster and footprint charts for detailed market microstructure analysis.
Order flow trading tools featuring real-time footprint charts and depth & sales visualization.
Visual order flow platform with heatmap-style footprint charts for liquidity and momentum tracking.
Popular futures trading platform with Order Flow+ suite including volumetric footprint bars.
Multi-asset trading platform providing free footprint charts and advanced volume analysis tools.
Professional order flow software with footprint and cluster analysis for stock and futures markets.
Crypto and futures platform specializing in footprint imbalance charts and order flow indicators.
Order flow and footprint charting tool with DOM visualization and volume clustering features.
Advanced technical analysis platform supporting footprint-style volume profiles and order flow studies.
Sierra Chart
specializedHigh-performance trading platform offering advanced footprint charts, order flow analysis, and customizable volume profiles.
Numbers Bars with over 100 customizable studies for precise order flow footprint visualization, including volume delta, cumulative delta, and imbalance detection.
Sierra Chart is a powerful, professional-grade trading platform renowned for its advanced Footprint Chart capabilities, also known as Numbers Bars, which display bid/ask volume, delta, and order flow data at each price level. It offers unparalleled customization for order flow analysis, supporting features like volume profiles, TPO profiles, and real-time market depth visualization. Ideal for futures and forex traders, it integrates with numerous data feeds and brokers for high-performance charting without lag.
Pros
- Extremely customizable Footprint Charts (Numbers Bars) with bid/ask imbalance, delta divergence, and stacked imbalances
- High performance handling massive datasets and real-time data without lag
- Affordable pricing with lifetime access options and broad broker/data feed support
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant time to master
- Dated, cluttered user interface that feels outdated
- Complex initial setup and configuration for advanced features
Best For
Experienced professional traders focused on order flow and footprint analysis who prioritize power and customization over simplicity.
Pricing
Monthly packages from $26 (basic) to $36 (advanced features); one-time purchase options available; data feeds extra (~$20-50/month).
ATAS
specializedSpecialized order flow platform with cluster and footprint charts for detailed market microstructure analysis.
Cluster Search tool that automatically scans and highlights significant volume clusters, imbalances, and patterns across multiple timeframes
ATAS (atas.net) is a professional order flow trading platform renowned for its advanced Footprint charts, which display bid/ask volumes, delta, and traded volume at each price level within candles for precise market microstructure analysis. It supports cluster analysis, volume profiles, Smart DOM, and custom indicators, integrating with data feeds like CQG, Rithmic, and dxFeed for futures, stocks, forex, and crypto. The software excels in identifying imbalances, absorption, and aggressive trading activity through tools like Speed of Tape and Delta Footprint.
Pros
- Exceptional variety of Footprint chart types including Bid/Ask, Delta, and Volume Footprints with non-lagging rendering
- Powerful order flow tools like Cluster Search, Smart Tape, and Big Trades indicator for pattern detection
- Lifetime license option and broad data feed compatibility
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive customization options
- Requires high-quality tick data feeds, adding to overall costs
- Interface can feel cluttered for beginners
Best For
Experienced day traders and scalpers in futures markets seeking deep order flow insights.
Pricing
Monthly from €59, yearly €490, lifetime €1,490 (plus data feed costs)
Jigsaw Trading
specializedOrder flow trading tools featuring real-time footprint charts and depth & sales visualization.
Proprietary 'Depth & Sales' tool combined with footprint imbalances for spotting aggressive buying/selling in real-time
Jigsaw Trading offers daytradr, a specialized order flow platform renowned for its Footprint Charts that display volume, bid/ask imbalances, and delta at every price level within a bar. It provides real-time visualization of market microstructure, including tools like absorption detection, unfinished auctions, and cumulative volume delta. Designed for futures traders, it integrates with platforms like NinjaTrader and Sierra Chart, emphasizing auction market theory for precise entries and exits.
Pros
- Exceptional footprint chart customization with proprietary indicators like imbalances and absorption
- Real-time reconstructed tape and depth tools for accurate order flow analysis
- Comprehensive training resources including market replay for skill development
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex order flow concepts
- Requires premium data feeds (e.g., Rithmic, CQG) adding to costs
- Limited to futures and select instruments, less versatile for stocks/forex
Best For
Experienced futures day traders seeking advanced order flow insights to gain an edge in high-frequency environments.
Pricing
Platform lease at $49/month or $579/year; tools from $299 one-time, plus $25-100/month data feeds.
Bookmap
specializedVisual order flow platform with heatmap-style footprint charts for liquidity and momentum tracking.
Patented Liquidity Heatmap that dynamically visualizes order book changes over time
Bookmap is a sophisticated order flow visualization platform that provides real-time market depth analysis through tools like heatmaps, volume profiles, and footprint charts. It displays bid/ask imbalances, liquidity levels, and traded volume at each price level, helping traders identify potential support/resistance and aggressive buying/selling. Designed primarily for futures, forex, and crypto markets, it supports high-frequency data feeds for sub-second updates and customizable indicators.
Pros
- Exceptional real-time order book heatmap and footprint visualizations
- Highly customizable indicators including volume delta and imbalance footprints
- Low-latency performance with support for tick-by-tick data feeds
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to complex interface
- Requires paid data feeds (e.g., Rithmic, CQG) adding to costs
- Subscription model lacks a robust free tier for casual users
Best For
Experienced day traders specializing in futures order flow who value advanced liquidity analysis.
Pricing
Digital plan at $49/month; Global at $79/month, Global Plus at $99/month; annual discounts and lifetime licenses from $1,290 available.
NinjaTrader
specializedPopular futures trading platform with Order Flow+ suite including volumetric footprint bars.
Volumetric bars with real-time bid/ask imbalance highlighting and stacked volume profiles
NinjaTrader is a robust trading platform renowned for its advanced charting tools, particularly its Footprint Charts available through the Order Flow + add-on suite. It enables traders to analyze order flow with volumetric bars that display bid/ask volume, delta, and imbalances at each price level within a bar. The software supports futures, forex, and equities trading, with extensive backtesting and automation via NinjaScript programming.
Pros
- Powerful order flow tools including customizable Footprint Charts and Cumulative Delta
- Free version for charting, simulation, and backtesting
- Highly extensible with NinjaScript for custom indicators
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Requires paid add-ons like Order Flow + for full Footprint functionality
- Windows-only platform with no native Mac support
Best For
Experienced futures traders who need advanced order flow analysis and customization.
Pricing
Free for basic charting and simulation; lifetime license $1,099 or $225/year lease for live trading; Order Flow + suite $59/month or $1,099 lifetime.
Quantower
specializedMulti-asset trading platform providing free footprint charts and advanced volume analysis tools.
Advanced Cluster Chart customizations including gradient coloring, imbalance thresholds, and stacked volume profiles
Quantower is a versatile multi-asset trading platform featuring advanced Cluster Charts, which function as Footprint charts, displaying bid/ask volume, delta, and imbalances at each price level for precise order flow analysis. It supports extensive customization, including various cluster modes, volume profiles, and real-time data from numerous brokers and exchanges. Ideal for traders needing deep market microstructure insights within a broker-neutral environment.
Pros
- Highly customizable Cluster/Footprint charts with multiple visualization modes (bid/ask, delta, total volume)
- Broad connectivity to 60+ brokers, exchanges, and data feeds for real-time footprint data
- Integrated order flow tools like imbalances, POC, and volume profiles alongside footprints
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex, feature-rich interface
- Advanced footprint features and premium data feeds require paid licenses
- Primarily desktop-focused with limited mobile capabilities
Best For
Experienced day traders and order flow analysts who need customizable footprint charts across multiple markets and brokers.
Pricing
Free basic version; premium licenses start at $25/month or $300+ for lifetime access, with broker-specific add-ons.
Volfix
specializedProfessional order flow software with footprint and cluster analysis for stock and futures markets.
Advanced 'Smart Imprint' footprint mode for micro-level volume breakdown and aggressive order detection
Volfix is a professional-grade trading platform specializing in footprint charts and order flow analysis, displaying volume clusters, delta, and price level activity within candlesticks for market microstructure insights. It supports advanced tools like imbalance detection, big trade tracking, and multi-timeframe volume profiles, catering to futures and stock traders. With real-time data feeds and broker integrations, it enables precise entry/exit decisions based on buyer/seller aggression.
Pros
- Highly detailed footprint and cluster charts with customizable imbalances
- Robust order flow suite including delta divergence and absorption tools
- Multi-exchange support with low-latency real-time data feeds
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-experts
- Expensive subscription model
- Desktop-only (Windows-focused) with no native mobile app
Best For
Experienced day traders and scalpers in futures markets needing deep order flow visualization.
Pricing
Monthly plans from $149, annual discounts, and lifetime licenses starting at $2,500+.
ExoCharts
specializedCrypto and futures platform specializing in footprint imbalance charts and order flow indicators.
Dynamic imbalance detection and highlighting in real-time footprint charts
ExoCharts is a specialized trading platform offering advanced footprint charts for order flow analysis, displaying bid/ask volume, delta, and imbalances at each price level within candlesticks. It supports real-time data from providers like Rithmic, CQG, and dxFeed, enabling detailed market microstructure visualization for futures, forex, and stocks. The software includes customizable profiles, indicators, and replay functionality for backtesting order flow strategies.
Pros
- Exceptional footprint chart detail with bid/ask splits and delta divergence
- Seamless integration with multiple professional data feeds
- Powerful customization options for indicators and visuals
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to advanced features
- Subscription model without perpetual license option
- Limited built-in broker execution capabilities
Best For
Experienced day traders and order flow analysts focusing on futures markets who need precise volume profile insights.
Pricing
Monthly subscriptions from $59 (basic) to $149 (pro with premium data feeds); annual discounts available.
Overcharts
specializedOrder flow and footprint charting tool with DOM visualization and volume clustering features.
Advanced Cluster Footprint Charts with stacked volume, delta divergence, and unfinished auction highlighting
Overcharts is a specialized trading platform focused on order flow analysis, offering advanced Footprint Charts that display bid/ask volume, delta, and imbalances at each price level for precise market microstructure insights. It supports Cluster Charts, Volume Profiles, and tools like unfinished auctions and absorption detection, primarily for futures trading with real-time data from feeds like Rithmic and CQG. The software excels in customization, allowing traders to build complex layouts for scalping and day trading strategies.
Pros
- Exceptional footprint and cluster chart depth with imbalance and divergence tools
- Low-latency real-time processing for live trading
- Highly customizable indicators and multi-monitor support
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to dense interface
- Windows-only application with no native mobile/web version
- Subscription model plus separate data feed costs add up
Best For
Experienced futures day traders and scalpers who prioritize advanced order flow visualization over simplicity.
Pricing
Monthly plans from €59 (Basic) to €99 (Premium); data feeds and broker connectivity extra.
Investor/RT
specializedAdvanced technical analysis platform supporting footprint-style volume profiles and order flow studies.
Advanced Imprint and Delta Footprint Charts with built-in divergence and stack imbalance alerts
Investor/RT is a professional real-time charting platform from Bressert Software that excels in order flow analysis, featuring advanced Footprint Charts to visualize volume at price, bid/ask imbalances, and delta within each bar. It supports intraday trading across stocks, futures, and forex with tools like volume profiles, TPO profiles, and Wyckoff method integrations. The software emphasizes customizable real-time data feeds and scripting for in-depth market microstructure analysis.
Pros
- Highly customizable Footprint Charts with delta, volume, and imbalance displays
- Real-time order flow tools including absorption and divergence detection
- Strong support for multiple data feeds and asset classes
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to dense interface and advanced features
- Windows-only desktop application with no native mobile support
- High resource demands for smooth real-time performance
Best For
Experienced intraday traders focused on order flow and Wyckoff analysis who need deep customization.
Pricing
Starts at $195/month for Pro license (includes data feed options); lifetime licenses from $2,995; 14-day free trial.
Conclusion
The top tools in footprint chart software offer diverse strengths, with Sierra Chart leading as the best choice for its high-performance platform and advanced features. ATAS stands out for detailed market microstructure analysis, while Jigsaw Trading excels in real-time footprint and depth-of-market visualization, making them strong alternatives for specific needs. Ultimately, the review highlights a range of solutions, but Sierra Chart’s comprehensive capabilities set it apart as the top performer.
Explore Sierra Chart’s powerful footprint charts and order flow tools to experience the performance that drives confident trading decisions.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison