The complicated world of financial markets often feels hidden, driven by complex moves from big institutions and programmed algorithms. Many traders use common bar or candlestick charts, which only show a small piece of the real activity.
However, understanding the urgency of buyers and sellers inside a price bar is key to finding market imbalances and potential reversals. Footprint charts provide this vital clarity by showing all the trading volume at every price level, highlighting who is buying and selling aggressively. This tool turns basic market numbers into useful information, going beyond simple price changes to reveal the true order flow footprint.
This smart way of showing data is the foundation of modern trading. Therefore, choosing the best footprint chart software is the first step toward getting advanced trading analysis software.
The Value of Footprint Analytics
The order flow footprint chart is a major change in how market data is understood. Unlike standard volume tools, this chart type breaks down volume right inside the price bar. It shows the number of contracts bought at the high price (Ask) and sold at the low price (Bid) for every price change.
This detailed view lets a trader see exactly when aggressive buying beats selling, or the other way around. The visual result is a "footprint," mapping the market's complete activity. Effective analytics depends completely on the quality of the tool you use.
Key data revealed by footprint charts:
Imbalance: A large difference between volume traded on the buy side versus the sell side at a specific price. This often signals strong, likely price moves.
Absorption: When a lot of aggressive selling or buying is met repeatedly by waiting limit orders, it shows a high-volume zone of potential support or resistance.
Point of control (POC): The price level within the bar that saw the most total volume traded. This price is usually very important to the market.
Volume distribution: How the total volume is spread throughout the price bar, pointing out areas of high and low interest from large players.
The Top Footprint Chart Platforms
Finding the best trading analysis software requires checking the main features, data quality, and cost. Each footprint chart platform offers a distinct set of tools suited for different ways of trading. Here are seven top software options that offer solid footprint charts for your analysis.
1. ATAS
ATAS (Advanced Trading Analytical Software) is a professional platform designed for in-depth order flow and volume analysis. It visualizes real market activity using footprint and cluster charts, showing where large traders enter the market and how liquidity shifts.
With over seventy built-in tools, including Delta, Market Profile, and Big Trades, ATAS helps traders spot imbalances and hidden orders. It connects to major data providers like CQG, Rithmic, and dxFeed, supporting futures, stocks, and crypto markets while displaying both executed and pending orders in real time.
The platform stands out for its visual clarity and flexibility. Traders can choose from multiple chart types, replay historical data, and trade directly from the DOM or chart interface. Over 240 indicators and extensive filtering options make it easy to focus on key market signals.
Though it requires some learning, ATAS can provide a real analytical edge for those who want to understand price movements through order flow and footprint dynamics.
2. Sierra Chart
Sierra Chart is known for its speed, stability, and many customization options. Many full-time traders consider it the standard for order flow footprint analysis because of its dependable performance. The platform offers a huge range of volume-based studies and advanced charting abilities.
It provides detailed customization for footprint charts, allowing users to change colors, data, and display styles, like its popular Numbers Bars. The software works very efficiently with data and connects to many high-quality data providers. Traders should note that it takes more time to learn than some other programs.
3. NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is a very popular trading analytics platform that provides a strong system for both manual and automated trading. It includes footprint charts through its premium add-on, Order Flow +, or through various add-ons developed by its large user community.
The platform’s main strength is its full set of trading features, including advanced order management and historical testing tools built into the platform. Its community gives access to high-quality footprint chart software additions and many learning resources.
The platform’s interface can feel complex for new users, requiring a learning curve before mastering its charting, automation, and strategy-building options.
4. MotiveWave
MotiveWave is a comprehensive trading analysis software known for its sophisticated wave and pattern tools. It includes native footprint charts (called Volume Imprints) and advanced volume profile features in its Order Flow Edition. The platform balances powerful analysis with an easy-to-use design.
The platform works with many data feeds and brokers, making it flexible for trading different markets. MotiveWave is a good choice for technical analysts who want to combine order flow footprint data with classic market theories. It offers several different payment plans based on the features you need.
5. Bookmap
Bookmap is mostly famous for its heat map that visually shows the limit order book, which is where passive orders sit. Its special add-on provides detailed footprint charts, which it calls Volume Footprint. This combination allows traders to see both passive orders and aggressive trades at the same time. This pairing offers a unique and powerful view of market action and is favored by scalpers.
However, Bookmap does have some drawbacks. It requires a premium, low-latency data feed to function properly, which increases overall costs. The interface can also feel overwhelming for beginners, as it is highly technical and data-dense.
6. Investor/RT (RealTime)
Investor/RT is a stable, long-standing trading analytics platform used by many professional traders. It features customizable charts using its VolumeScope® tool. The platform is known for being reliable and handling detailed historical tick data very well.
It offers strong scanning and alert features based on volume and price action data. Custom programming features let users build highly personal footprint tool applications. This software is best for experienced traders who require maximum control over their setup.
7. Jigsaw Trading
Jigsaw Trading focuses almost completely on order flow and Depth of Market (DOM) tools, offering a full set of products for footprint trading. Their daytradr platform features advanced footprint charts integrated directly with their custom DOM interface. It is purely focused on execution and analysis.
The platform includes training tools and simulators to help traders learn to read order flow footprint patterns effectively. It is a highly focused product designed to help traders become proficient at reading how the market executes orders. Jigsaw emphasizes speed and clear data display.
Strategic Platform Selection
Choosing the right platform is critical for long-term success in trading. The best footprint chart software is the one that matches your specific trading style, available funds, and the markets you trade. Picking the wrong software can slow down your progress. Traders must think about several key factors before deciding on a platform. Essential selection criteria are:
Cost and payment plan: Check the total cost, which includes the software fee, real-time data fees from exchanges, and any necessary extra add-ons. See if the platform offers a free trial or a cheaper beginner plan.
Data quality and speed: Make sure the software can handle fast data with very little delay, which is essential for reading the real-time order flow footprint. The quality of the tick data must be excellent.
Customization: Look for many options for changing the look and function of the charts, including colors, volume filters, and the type of data shown.
Broker connection: Confirm that the software connects directly with your current brokerage account for quick trading from the chart itself. The ability to place orders with one click is a big advantage.
Features for Advanced Analytics
Below are key components that define a professional-grade analytics setup, helping traders interpret market activity with precision and speed:
Imbalance highlighting: The ability to automatically color-code or flag large bid/ask imbalances based on your specific ratio rules.
Historical data: Having access to deep historical tick data is necessary for proper backtesting and reviewing past order flow footprint patterns.
Volume profile tools: Built-in access to Volume Profile (VPOC) tools that automatically complement the charts to give context for major trading areas.
Alerts and notifications: Custom alerts based on specific events, such as high-volume areas, repeated imbalances, or a certain level of selling pressure.
A Commitment to Data Mastery
The difference between successful traders and those who struggle often comes down to how clearly they see the market. Footprint charts give this clarity, turning raw trade data into a clear map of buying and selling aggression.
The seven platforms listed here are the best trading analysis software available today. Choosing one means deciding to follow a higher standard of market analysis. The powerful insights you gain from accurate footprint analytics will completely change how you approach the markets.
The main aim is to stop guessing and start confirming your trades with real, reliable data. Use the free trials, test the platforms with your trading rules, and find the perfect tool to boost your trading success.
