Sierra Chart
sierrachart.com
Fast Windows charting and trading, popular with futures and order-flow traders, sold as low-cost monthly packages with data and broker connections extra.
What it is
Sierra Chart is a desktop charting and trading program written in native C++ for Windows. It is known among futures traders for handling tick-level data, depth of market and order-flow studies quickly, and for a trading DOM built into the chart (ChartDOM). It supports manual, simulated and automated trading, and custom studies can be written in C++ through its Advanced Custom Study Interface or built in Excel-style spreadsheets.
Pricing is split into service packages. The two Base packages ($26 and $36 a month) work only with Sierra Chart's own data and trading services. The Integrated packages ($36, $46 and $56 a month) are needed to connect to outside brokers and feeds such as Interactive Brokers, CQG or Rithmic, or to Sierra Chart's own real-time Denali Exchange Data Feed. The Advanced packages add TPO charts, Numbers Bars, the historical market depth graph and volume profile; the $56 package adds Market by Order data. Paying for 3, 6 or 12 months at once cuts the price by 15%, 25% or 35%. There is no one-time purchase.
The software price does not include real-time exchange data. Delayed exchange data, forex and CFD data, crypto data and historical data are included, but real-time futures and stock data carry exchange fees on top. New accounts get a 21-day trial. It runs on 64-bit Windows only; Mac and Linux users need Wine or a similar layer.
Key features
- Order-flow studies
- Numbers Bars (footprint), TPO charts, volume profile and a historical market depth graph, on the Advanced packages.
- ChartDOM trading
- A depth-of-market ladder built into the chart, with server-side OCO and bracket orders where the broker supports them.
- Data feeds
- Its own Denali feed covers CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX, EUREX, CFE and US stock exchanges; delayed, forex, crypto and historical data are included.
- Broker connections
- Integrated packages connect to outside services such as Interactive Brokers, CQG and Rithmic, and to any service using the open DTC protocol.
- Custom studies and automation
- Write studies and trading systems in C++ with the Advanced Custom Study Interface, or use the built-in spreadsheets.
- Simulated trading
- Unlimited server-based simulated trading on real-time or delayed data, included with every package.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Base Standard (Package 3) | $26/mo | Sierra Chart's own data and trading services only; no outside brokers |
| Base Advanced (Package 5) | $36/mo | Adds TPO, Numbers Bars, market depth history and volume profile |
| Integrated Standard (Package 10) | $36/mo | Connects to outside data and trading services and the Denali feed |
| Integrated Advanced (Package 11) | $46/mo | Integrated connectivity plus the advanced order-flow features |
| Integrated Advanced with MBO (Package 12) | $56/mo | Adds Market by Order data |
Prepaying 3, 6 or 12 months gives 15%, 25% or 35% off (for example Package 3 is $202.80 for 12 months). Real-time exchange data and external broker data are paid separately. No one-time purchase option.
Free option: No free plan. New accounts get a 21-day trial; delayed exchange data and simulated trading are included with every paid package.
Checked September 25, 2026 on sierrachart.com. Prices change; confirm on the provider's site before you subscribe.
Strengths
- Low software cost, with up to 35% off for a 12-month prepayment
- Handles tick data, depth of market and footprint charts quickly
- Connects to many brokers and feeds, including CQG, Rithmic and Interactive Brokers
- Full C++ custom study and automated trading interface
- Unlimited simulated trading included
Limitations
- Windows only (64-bit); Mac and Linux need Wine or similar
- Real-time exchange data costs extra on top of the software package
- Connecting to outside brokers or the Denali feed requires an Integrated package ($36/mo or more)
- No one-time purchase; the software must be paid for monthly
- The provider does not use social media channels; support is through its own board and tickets
Good fit for
- Futures day traders who read order flow and depth of market
- Traders who want to code their own studies or automated systems in C++
- Cost-conscious traders who need professional charting on Windows
Look elsewhere if
- Mac users who want a native app
- Casual investors who want a simple web chart (a browser charting tool fits better)
Compare
Alternatives to Sierra Chart
Sierra Chart questions
How much does Sierra Chart cost?
Service packages run from $26 to $56 a month, with 15% to 35% off for paying 3 to 12 months ahead. Real-time exchange data is extra.
Does Sierra Chart have a free trial?
Yes. New accounts get a 21-day trial account.
Does Sierra Chart work on Mac?
Not natively. It requires 64-bit Windows; the provider documents running it under Wine or CrossOver on Linux and Mac.
Which Sierra Chart package do I need for Rithmic or Interactive Brokers?
One of the Integrated packages (10, 11 or 12). The Base packages only work with Sierra Chart's own data and trading services.
Does Sierra Chart have footprint charts?
Yes, as Numbers Bars, along with TPO charts and volume profile, on the Advanced packages (5, 11 and 12).
Written from Sierra Chart's own website and documentation. All Trading Tools lists and compares tools; it does not recommend trades or give financial advice. Sources: sierrachart.com, sierrachart.com/index.php?page=doc/Packages.php, sierrachart.com/index.php?page=doc/SoftwareDownload.php.