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Sierra Chart Review 2025: A Test For Short-Term Traders

Written By

Paul Holmes

Written By

Paul Holmes

Paul has over 14 years experience in the trading industry, both as a full-time trader and working with leading brokers. He’s traded indices and forex, developed proprietary day trading techniques, and built his own MetaTrader algorithms. He excels at delivering simple-to-follow guides for beginners to experienced traders.  

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Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Fact Checked By

Michael MacKenzie

Fact Checked By

Michael MacKenzie

Michael is a writer and editor with over a decade in journalism and publishing. His niche lies in editing and fact-checking content in the financial services sector, with a focus on online brokers and trading platforms. Michael previously reported on politics and economics in the Middle East and edits books for established publishers.

» Michael MacKenzie Profile Page

Updated

Feb 4, 2025

Sierra Chart should be on your radar if you’re a day trader searching for a powerful, reliable platform that offers a broad range of features and customization options.

Let’s take a deep dive into a hands-on test and review of Sierra Chart’s product, highlighting its key features, and pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit.

Headlines From Testing

I spent time using Sierra Chart for short-term trading as part of this review. Here are my key takeaways:

• Performance: The platform is exceptionally stable and fast. During high-volatility periods, I experienced no noticeable lag or crashes, which is a big plus for active traders.
• Ease of Use: While the platform is feature-rich, it does have a learning curve. New users might feel overwhelmed at first. However, with time and Sierra Chart’s extensive documentation, most traders will figure it out.
• Customization: The customization options are practically limitless. I particularly enjoyed scripting custom indicators and setting up the workspace to my exact preferences. This flexibility sets Sierra Chart apart from less adaptable platforms.
• Design: While packing in the tooling department, the design is in need of a modern facelift. Without one, it risks feeling like a software package that belongs in the last century.

Brokers With Sierra Chart Integration

These providers support Sierra Chart in February 2025:

1. Advantage Futures
2. Ironbeam
3. GFF Brokers
4. AMP Futures
5. Trade Futures 4 Less
6. Cannon Trading
7. Click Futures Trading
8. Sweet Futures
9. Dorman Trading
10. AGN Futures
11. Optimus Futures
12. Trade Pro Futures
13. PhillipCapital
14. Discount Trading
15. Zaner
16. Stage 5 Trading
17. High Ridge Futures
18. Edge Clear
19. Insignia Futures

Key Features

Advanced Charting Capabilities

One of Sierra Chart’s standout features is its advanced charting tools. The platform offers an extensive variety of chart types and technical indicators that cater to virtually any trading strategy.

Whether you prefer candlestick charts, Renko, or Kagi, Sierra Chart has you covered.

Benefits:

• Customizability: You can customize your charts to your exact preferences. This includes adjusting timeframes and colors and even creating custom indicators if needed.
• Efficiency: The platform’s charting engine is built for speed, ensuring you don’t experience any lag, which is crucial for short-term trading, where every second counts.

Real-Time Data Integration

For short-term traders, access to real-time data is non-negotiable.

Sierra Chart provides real-time data feeds from various exchanges, ensuring you have up-to-the-second information to make informed trading decisions.

Benefits:

• Accuracy: Real-time data feeds reduce the chances of making decisions based on outdated information.
• Diverse Market Access: With support for stocks, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies, you can trade in multiple markets from a single platform.

Automated Trading Systems

Sierra Chart offers robust support for automated trading.

Traders can create automated trading systems using the platform’s Advanced Custom Study Interface and Language (ACSIL) or by integrating with Excel-compatible spreadsheets.

Benefits:

• Scalability: Automated trading allows you to scale your day trading strategies without manually executing each trade.
• Consistency: By removing the emotional component, automated systems can help ensure consistent execution of your trading strategy.

Extensive Customization Options

One of Sierra Chart’s most appreciated features is its high level of customizability. You can adjust almost every aspect of the platform, from chart settings to the user interface.

Benefits:

• Personalization: You can make the platform work precisely how you want it to, which can improve your efficiency and comfort.
• Advanced Features for Power Users: For those who enjoy tweaking and optimizing, Sierra Chart offers a playground of features to explore and adapt.

Data And Trading Services

Sierra Chart supports a wide range of data feeds and trading services to cater to diverse trading needs.

You can choose from various third-party data providers, including real-time and delayed data feeds for stocks, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies.

When selecting a data service, consider your specific market focus, the speed and reliability of the data, and the associated costs.

By aligning the data feed with your trading style and market, you can ensure you have the most accurate and timely information for your strategies.

Sierra Chart Exchange Data Feed

The Sierra Chart Exchange Data Feed is a proprietary service that offers real-time market data directly from exchanges.

This feed is known for its high reliability and low latency, making it an excellent choice for short-term traders who require rapid data updates.

Unlike some other data services, the Sierra Chart Exchange Data Feed provides an all-in-one solution that includes data for various markets, reducing the need for multiple subscriptions and simplifying data management.

Sierra Chart Trading Evaluator Service

The Sierra Chart Trading Evaluator Service is a unique feature that allows traders to simulate their trading strategies using real-time data in a risk-free environment.

This service is invaluable for traders who want to test or refine new strategies without exposing their capital to market risks.

Using the Trading Evaluator, you can gain confidence in their strategies and make necessary adjustments based on performance insights.

Support And Resources

Sierra Chart offers extensive support and resources to help users maximize the platform experience.

The available support includes detailed documentation covering every platform aspect, an active user forum where traders can share insights and ask questions, and responsive customer service for direct assistance.

These resources ensure new and experienced traders can access the help they need to fully utilize Sierra Chart’s capabilities.

Software Development Kit (SDK)

Sierra Chart provides a comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK) for traders and developers interested in creating custom tools and indicators.

The SDK allows users to develop custom studies, indicators, and trading systems using the Advanced Custom Study Interface and Language (ACSIL).

This flexibility empowers users to tailor the platform to their specific needs and enhance their trading strategies with unique, personalized tools.

Historical Data

Sierra Chart offers extensive historical data that traders can use for backtesting and analysis.

Access to historical data allows traders to evaluate the performance of their strategies over various market conditions and refine their approaches before applying them in live trading.

This capability is particularly beneficial for developing robust trading systems that can withstand different market environments.

Sierra Chart is renowned for its performance and stability, which are critical for active traders who need a reliable platform during high market volatility.

The platform handles large amounts of data efficiently, ensuring smooth operation even during peak trading hours.

Sierra Chart’s commitment to maintaining a stable and performance-oriented environment helps traders like me focus on my strategies without worrying about technical disruptions.

Paul Holmes

Author

7 Tips For Maximizing Sierra Chart’s Potential

1. Master The Keyboard Shortcuts

Efficiency is key for short-term trading, and mastering Sierra Chart’s keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow.

Spend some time customizing and learning the shortcuts for your most-used functions to streamline your trading process.

2. Use Chart Linking

Chart linking is a powerful feature that allows you to synchronize multiple charts.

By linking charts based on symbols, timeframes, or studies, you can quickly switch between different views of the same market without needing to adjust each chart individually.

3. Leverage Custom Studies And Indicators

Consider creating custom studies or indicators using ACSIL (Advanced Custom Study Interface and Language) if you have a specific trading strategy.

This can provide you with unique insights that standard indicators might not offer, giving you a potential edge in the market.

4. Optimize Your Data Feed Settings

Sierra Chart allows you to configure data feed settings to match your trading style.

This ensures you receive only the data you need, reduces unnecessary load on your system, and improves overall performance.

5. Backtest Your Strategies

Use Sierra Chart’s backtesting capabilities to test your strategies before going live.

This feature helps refine your approach and identify potential weaknesses without risking real capital.

6. Customize Your Trading Interface

Spend time setting up your trading interface to match your workflow.

Rearranging toolbars, setting up watchlists, and organising chart windows can make your trading experience more intuitive and efficient.

7. Stay Updated With Sierra Chart Documentation

Sierra Chart’s documentation is comprehensive and regularly updated. Make it a habit to check for new features or updates that can enhance your trading experience.

Staying informed can help you make the most of the platform’s capabilities.

Pros And Cons Of Sierra Chart

Pros

Cons

I’ve discovered that Sierra Chart is a robust platform offering immense value to short-term traders willing to invest the time to master its capabilities.

Its advanced charting tools, real-time data integration, and support for automated trading make it a top contender in the trading software space.

Paul Holmes

Author

How To Get Started

Getting started with Sierra Chart involves a few straightforward steps:

Step 1: Download And Install Sierra Chart

Visit the Sierra Chart website and navigate to the download section. Choose the appropriate version for your operating system and follow the installation instructions.

Step 2: Sign Up For An Account

Once installed, you need to create a Sierra Chart account. This involves providing some basic information and selecting your subscription plan.

Sierra Chart offers a range of plans, so pick one that aligns with your trading needs.

Step 3: Configure Your Data Feed

After setting up your account, the next step is to configure your data feed. Sierra Chart supports various data providers, and you’ll need to subscribe to one that fits your trading style.

Follow the platform’s guidelines to integrate the data feed into Sierra Chart.

Step 4: Customize Your Workspace

Before you start trading, spend some time customizing your workspace. Arrange your charts, toolbars, and indicators to suit your preferences.

This setup process can significantly enhance your trading efficiency.

Step 5: Learn The Platform

Take advantage of Sierra Chart’s extensive documentation and tutorials.

Familiarize yourself with the platform’s features, shortcuts, and settings to maximize its potential.

Step 6: Start Trading

With everything set up, you’re ready to start trading. Use Sierra Chart’s powerful tools to analyze markets, execute trades, and monitor your performance.

Packages And Pricing

Sierra Chart offers several packages to cater to different types of traders, including:

• Package 3: Basic charting, real-time data, and limited support for custom studies. Ideal for traders who need essential charting tools.
• Package 5: Includes all features from Package 3 plus advanced charting, full support for custom studies, and automated trading capabilities.
• Package 11: Advanced features, including market depth data and advanced order flow analysis tools.

Pricing Structure:

• Packages are billed monthly or annually, with discounts for longer-term subscriptions. Additional costs may apply for premium data feeds.

For beginners, I’d recommend package number 3 as it provides essential tools and real-time data at a lower cost, allowing new users to familiarize themselves with the platform before upgrading to more advanced packages.

Paul Holmes

Author

Bottom Line

Sierra Chart is a powerful platform offering immense value to short-term traders willing to invest the time to master its capabilities.

Its advanced charting tools, real-time data integration, and support for automated trading make it a top contender in the trading software space.