Want to find the best trading platform for you?
These are the top platforms for futures trading with a focus on order flow.
I look at things such as usability, easy setup, different available features, customer service, and of course, the cost.
We don’t want to spend countless hours (or days) setting up a platform. At least I don’t. Some are just awful; these are not.
You’ve got to give yourself the right tools to maximize your chance for success. The platforms listed below are highly regarded in the trading community.
Using cheaper tools may not save you money; it may actually cost you. If you want to trade in a professional manner, you should use the best tools you can.
And that’s exactly what I’m going to share with you in this article.
Keep on reading!
What Are the Best Futures Trading Plaforms?
Here are my top picks for the best order flow-focused trading platforms.
1. Bookmap
Best overall futures trading platform
Elmer’s Take
I think Bookmap is one of the best platforms out there. It’s easy to use and easy to get started. The Heatmap and order flow capabilities are highly customizable. They provide excellent training material, and the customer service is always very fast and very helpful. Overall, I recommend Bookmap wholeheartedly for anyone serious about trading.
Bookmap is the best overall trading platform for traders using order flow.
It’s my #1 choice because they really focus on order flow analysis and highlighting market liquidity in a truly dynamic style.
Key Features:
- It’s a real-time market visualization and trading software that allows traders to see the evolution of the order book
- Historical “playback” feature that allows traders to validate strategies and modify them directly from the platform
- Visual historical depth-of-market (DOM) data that enables traders to get their “feel” back by visually seeing the live auction process
- Based on expertise in HFT (High Frequency Trading)
- The Bookmap learning center has over 100 videos to help you on your journey
- The Depth of Market (DOM) Pro is regarded as one of the best and fastest DOMs out there. I know a lot of NQ traders who use it, because it can keep up with the frantic pace of the Nasdaq.
Here’s what people are saying about Bookmap:
Here’s another take.
Bookmap really is a turn-key platform. It has everything you need right from the get-go. You can easily configure the Heatmap and DOM to what you want.
The DOM Pro has a playback feature that is a game-changer for anybody looking to practice order flow trading on the DOM. It allows you to replay a day, so if you had a red day, you replay it and see where you can improve.
You can sign up and give it a try on a free account, and play around with the heatmap and the charting. Of course, not all the features are available on the free account, but you can still see what a great tool it is.
Bookmap Pricing:
- Digital Free ($0/Month): Great for checking out the features and getting a feel for the platform.
- Digital Plus $19/month (or $16/month billed yearly): Access to more features, including order flow course and market replay.
- Global $49/month (or $39/month billed yearly): Unlocks access to stocks and futures live trading. (with data subscription)
- Global Plus $99/month (or $79/month billed yearly): Access to all features above, plus unlocks more, including the DOM Pro and Footprint chart.
- Lifetime License $990 or $1990, depending on the tier: $990 for Global and $1990 for Global Plus
What I Like/Dislike About Bookmap:
Like:
- Focuses on order flow analysis.
- Free plan to easily get started.
- Customer service is seriously fast and helpful.
- Even though the platform is cutting edge, it was easy to get started and customize to my liking.
Dislike:
- Cost’s a little more than some of the others, but you’re paying for quality.
- They didn’t have the place in Q (PIQ) for Eurex on Rithmic. It worked perfectly for the CME data, though.
Overall, I recommend the Bookmap platform as my #1 choice for any trader looking for their edge and anyone serious about real order flow trading.
Click my link below, and you can get started today with the Digital (Free) plan.
2. Jigsaw
Best simple trading platform for beginners
Elmer’s Take
Want a simple DOM that won’t let you down? I think Jigsaw has one of the most user-friendly platforms out there. It’s well known as a top order flow tool. The course material they offer is first-rate for everybody from beginners to more seasoned traders. Whether you’re starting your journey or looking to shift to order flow trading, Jigsaw will meet your needs.
Jigsaw is a platform tailored for the order flow trader, and really anyone looking to learn and train with the DOM.
Key Features:
- Training based on professional Order Flow trading techniques
- Price ladder as the primary interface
- Connect to multiple data feeds, including: CQG Continuum, Gain (OEC), IQFeed, Rithmic, and Tradovate data feeds
- Built-in real-time audio news squawk and economic release calendar that updates results in real-time
- Cloud-based trade analytics platform called “Journalytix” with lifetime access to the basic version
- Journalytix automatically posts trade history to secure servers for analysis
Here’s what people are saying about Jigsaw:
User Experience:
The main trading platform is called “daytradr,” which focuses on the price ladder with many other tools and charts to help make trading decisions.
All customers get lifetime access to the basic version of their trade analytics platform “Journalytix”.
For advanced users, Journalytix also has a real-time audio market data feed, and the all-important economic calendar
The platform shows the estimated place in Q (PIQ) if needed, and you can set it to see the Pulling/Stacking in the order book
The Auction Vista is their version of the Heat map, showing a detailed view of both historical and real-time order flow.
On-demand market replay is available, just connect through Tradovate and you’re good to go.
Jigsaw Pricing:
The platform uses a one-time software purchase model:
- Independent: $579 (one-time payment) A great start for getting into the platform and starting your order flow journey.
- Professional: $879 (one-time payment) Get seriously into the nitty gritty with more advanced order flow training.
- Institutional: $1979 (one-time payment) Institutional order flow training, and access to monthly group sessions (12 sessions).
- For live trading: $500 annually OR $50 monthly subscription is required
- There is a 14-day money-back guarantee. Note, that’s only for the software ($579).
What I Like/Dislike About Jigsaw:
Like:
- Focus is on the price ladder.
- Training is based on what professional firms are doing.
- Jounalytix is an extremely helpful tool for any trader.
- Real-time news squawk while trading is essential.
Dislike:
- Charting ability is not as strong as other platforms, as they focus on the price ladder.
- No free plan, but you need to pay for the software, and then you have 2 weeks to see if it’s for you.
Overall, Jigsaw is a solid platform for any trader using order flow. If you’re a pro looking for a professional DOM, or a new trader just getting your feet wet with order flow, Jigsaw has everything you need to get started.
Click my link below and get started today.
