What would you choose to develop: IB's api or Ninjatrader8 ?

[Sig]

Very interesting opinion, so that left me wondering: how much harder is it to program in Fix vs Api ?
I imagine there're freelancers for this too.

QuickFIX (http://www.quickfixengine.org/) is the standard open source engine, there are a few others and several you can buy as well. It's certainly easier to program in the API especially if you're a basic (especially VB!) programmer, but if you're a proficient C++ dev then QuickFIX is pretty simple. Like anything you trade ease of use for more control over what you're doing.

 

[pstrusi]

Thanks a lot for your contribution, I must definitively check that out later. I wish I could have the formal training and time to program this as professional.

 

[stevegee58]

I've got news for you, you're dependent on someone else over which you have no control when you build to IB's API. After you trade with them for a while and realize how truly awful they are in a number of areas, you still stick with them for months longer because you locked yourself with the sunk cost of your time developing to their API and you don't want to loose all that code. Which doesn't work with anyone else. Believe me, I've lived that nightmare. If you must use IB, use the FIX solution and at least you'll be able to port it to any other professional level broker with minimal refactoring. And optimally get your quotes from somewhere else, FIX isn't very amenable to that piece.

Well you're always dependent on something. But you're right about FIX. If I were going to set up a professional operation like a hedge fund I'd use FIX and subscribe to the data I needed.

I've been using IB's API for 10+ years without problems and it meets my needs as a retail trader trading my own money.

 

[sprstpd]

If you must use IB, use the FIX solution and at least you'll be able to port it to any other professional level broker with minimal refactoring. And optimally get your quotes from somewhere else, FIX isn't very amenable to that piece.

FIX solution at IB has required minimums:

https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/index.php?f=4945&p=requiredminimums

USD 1,500.00 per month minimum commission for first session; USD 1,000.00 per month minimum commission for any subsequent line(s)