Tradovate

Overview

Tradovate is a futures brokerage and trading platform operated by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC, which does business as NinjaTrader, Kraken Derivatives US and Tradovate. Because the clearing firm is the same, Tradovate's commission plans mirror NinjaTrader's: a Free plan, a Monthly plan and a Lifetime plan, each with a lower per-side commission than the one before.

Tradovate's main selling points are its own cloud-based platform, which you can run on Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone and Android, no license fee for Tradovate platforms, day-trade margins of $50 on micros and $500 on standard contracts, and no funding minimum. The main gap is that the pricing page says exchange, clearing and NFA fees "still apply" without listing the amounts.

Commissions and fees

All rates below are per contract, per side, from Tradovate's pricing page.

Tradovate states that all Tradovate platforms are included with no license fees. Exchange, clearing and NFA fees are charged on top of the commission. Tradovate's pricing page does not list routing, inactivity or withdrawal fees; check the pricing FAQ and your account agreement for those.

All-in cost example

Tradovate does not itemize exchange, clearing and NFA fees on its pricing page. Its clearing firm, NinjaTrader Clearing, publishes them on ninjatrader.com: $0.36 per side exchange plus NFA fee for MES, $1.39 for ES, and a $0.19 clearing fee on most contracts (as of August 14, 2026). Those exchange figures match CME's non-member exchange fee ($0.35 MES, $1.38 ES) plus the NFA's $0.01 per-side assessment. We used them below; confirm the amounts on your Tradovate statement.

One round turn of MES (Free plan):

• Commission: $0.39
• Exchange and NFA fee: $0.36
• Clearing fee: $0.19
• Per side: $0.39 + $0.36 + $0.19 = $0.94
• Round turn: $0.94 × 2 = $1.88

Monthly plan: ($0.29 + $0.36 + $0.19) × 2 = $1.68. Lifetime plan: ($0.09 + $0.36 + $0.19) × 2 = $1.28.

One round turn of ES (Free plan):

• Commission: $1.29
• Exchange and NFA fee: $1.39
• Clearing fee: $0.19
• Per side: $1.29 + $1.39 + $0.19 = $2.87
• Round turn: $2.87 × 2 = $5.74

Monthly plan: $5.14 per ES round turn. Lifetime plan: $4.34.

The Monthly plan saves $0.20 per MES round turn and $0.60 per ES round turn compared with Free. That covers the $99 fee at roughly 495 MES round turns or 165 ES round turns a month. Our profit and loss calculator can help you see how costs change your net result.

Margins

Tradovate's pricing page lists these day-trade margins:

Day-trade margins apply only to positions closed within the session. Holding overnight requires full exchange initial margin. Low margin means a small move can wipe out the margin on deposit, so size positions with care using our position size calculator.

Platforms

Tradovate offers its own platform as downloads for Mac and PC, plus apps for iPad, iPhone and Android. Market Replay streams on demand without downloads. Tradovate credentials can also be used to log into the NinjaTrader platform, and the site mentions third-party charting integrations without naming them on the pages we checked. Tradovate offers top-of-book market data with an approved and funded account but does not list a price for depth data on the pricing page.

Tradovate lists access to CME, ICE, Eurex, Coinbase Derivatives and MIAX products.

Account opening and minimums

The pricing page states the account minimum as "any funding amount." You can open an account online and choose a plan. If you buy Lifetime, Tradovate offers a four-payment option of $499 each. Phone and live chat support are run by an Illinois-based team, according to Tradovate.

Regulation

Tradovate states that brokerage services are provided by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC d/b/a NinjaTrader, Kraken Derivatives US and Tradovate (NTC). NTC is registered with the CFTC as a futures commission merchant and is an NFA member, NFA ID 0309379. Its parent is NinjaTrader Group, LLC. Check the current registration in NFA BASIC before funding an account.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Cloud-based platform that runs on desktop and mobile.
• No license fee for Tradovate platforms.
• Low per-side commissions on paid plans.
• $50 micro and $500 standard day-trade margins.
• No funding minimum.

Cons

• Exchange, clearing and NFA fees are not itemized on the Tradovate pricing page.
• The lowest rates require a $99 monthly plan or a $1,499 license.
• Depth-of-market data pricing is not listed on the pricing page.

Who it suits

Tradovate suits traders who want a modern platform that works across devices without a license fee, and who trade micros or E-minis often enough to make a paid plan pay off. If you prefer NinjaTrader's desktop tools, the pricing is the same through NinjaTrader. If you want many third-party platform options, a broker with wider platform support may fit better.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tradovate the same as NinjaTrader?

Both are brands of NinjaTrader Group. Accounts are carried by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC, and commission plans are the same.

Is Tradovate's commission per side?

Yes. The $0.39 Free-plan micro rate is per contract, per side, so a round turn is $0.78 before exchange, clearing and NFA fees.

What is the minimum deposit at Tradovate?

Tradovate lists "any funding amount" as the account minimum.

Do I pay for the Tradovate platform?

Tradovate states that all Tradovate platforms are included with no license fees. The Monthly and Lifetime plans are optional and buy lower commissions.

What is the day-trade margin for MES at Tradovate?

$50 per contract, according to Tradovate's pricing page. ES is $500.

• Tradovate pricing
• Tradovate home page (platforms, entity, exchanges)
• NinjaTrader Clearing published exchange, NFA and clearing fees
• NFA assessment fees FAQ
• CME Group exchange fees