Hi, I have a few questions. While I am actively using Google to uncover answers, perhaps some ET members could help lend some extra guidance? Thanks in advance: Cutting to the chase, I would like to access the X-Trader platform, in addition to a data feed for stock index futures - FDAX specifically... for free. I would like to watch the orderbook, and nothing else, but for the foreseeable future I have no intention of placing any actual trades. If possible, therefore, I would like to get gain a feel for the orderbook without paying for it. I realise X-Trader is not the only platform that can do this, which is why I welcome alternative suggestions. My hope is that one day I will be able to "see" the players behind the orderbook numbers, at which time I would pay out whatever is necessary to use the X-Trader platform to play the game with them. Thanks again for any help. For the benefit of any potential future readers, I will report back with my own findings hopefully this time tomorrow, regardless of the replies here.
Velocity Futures has a plan where you pay for X-Trader via a mark-up to the commission, rather than the monthly fee. I don't know if there any minimum account sizes, though. There is a similar plan for CQG Trader as well.
http://www.tradewithvelocity.com/trading-platforms/x-trader-simulator.aspx I guess there are demo offers for ninja trader etc, but since the alternatives to X-Trader are apparently garbage, I've restricted my research to X-Trader only. As above, Velocity seems the best bet. To access X-Trader Simulator, one must: Open account with 5000usd minimum maintain 1500usd balance minimum According to TT Sales Reps: * it comes loaded with ES, NQ, ZB , ZN FESX, FDAX, CL, GC all front month * the data lags the live market by approximately 0.5 seconds * if you do not trade within 30 days the platform will be suspended, the account and 5000usd will remain as they are.
"The obvious conclusion (not followed by new ETers) is to make sure you have, first and foremost, a reliable and accurate methodology to apply. How obvious is this? Try this analogy; its about as obvious as having 4 round wheels on a car. Imagine instead a car on blocks with no wheels fitted but a full fuel tank. You can get in and spin the axles until you run out of fuel. Meanwhile you are going nowhere." -Cheese "I lost money on trading. I lost money on trying lots of software. I lost money on education. I lost money on data feeds that I didn't need to spend a penny on. I lost money by not earning anything for several years while I developed a profitable trading method. I lost money developing software. When I add it all up it comes to around the $500K mark." -Xspurt