Let rate the following API

anyone know what's FIX message size relative to a specific brokers API like IBs?

 

FIX is a token separated, plain text protocol, just like the protocol between TWS and the API clients, each message may contain maybe half a dozen to a dozen tokens for basic trading. So size is not really an issue when most connections are in the megabit range and each message is like 1/10 of a KB.

 

ITG bought RedSky
http://www.fow.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1382716

you can contact ITG but they are specializing in services for hedge funds. So they require your account to be ~10m. But there was a story at this forum that one guy contacted RedSky and opened account with just 100k. Search EliteTrader for detailes.

 

I am aware about two brokers
VelocityFutures, trading only futures markets
InteractiveBrokers for $100/month

May be you can find more searching the web
http://www.fixprotocol.org/adopters/
at the link above I did not find Velocity or IB, don't know...

 

https://www.mbtrading.com/MbtFIX.asp


MbtFIX Gateway

Using the industry standard FIX 4.4 Protocol, the MbtFIX Gateway provides seamless access to MBTX's order routing, execution reporting, and market making capabilities with an existing trading system or third-party vendor.

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/mbtfix/

 

Thanks for the answers to my previous questions.

From what I read on IB's website,
http://individuals.interactivebrokers.com/en/p.php?f=programInterface&ib_entity=llc

FIX protocol does not provide realtime portfolio updates? Then how do you know your total positions, margin requirements, etc.?

 

IB FIX is only for order entry, all rest has to be done via the TWS API, God only knows why...

 

Sterling api - 3

It's just damn slow and ill written, not with speed in mind.

 

I suppose they send quotes through FIX very similar as TWS API does. That means you do not receive every tick, very bad for short-term systems. IMHO if you use IB it is better to develop using native TWS API.

 

I was trying to avoid broker APIs at any cost.

In my ATS I have implemented the position manager, use third party market data provider (through an abstract interface), and FIX for order routing, so it's completely broker independent.
This way the only thing you need is simple FIX certification and configuration changes when you switch between brokers.

I believe this is the only way possible on the long run. When you need something done right, you have to do it yourself.