Resources / Order flow
NinjaTrader 8 order-flow indicators compared (2026)
If you trade order flow on NinjaTrader 8, you have a handful of real options. Here is an honest comparison, including our own tool, Imprint Flow. We make one of these; we have tried to rank fairly on features and cost, not on who pays us (nobody does).
What to look for in an order-flow indicator
The features that actually matter day to day: footprint visualization, single (2:1) imbalance detection, stacked-imbalance detection, absorption detection, a per-bar and cumulative delta grid, a volume-profile overlay, whether it runs natively on NT8, and whether it forces you into a separate platform or an extra license.
The comparison
| Feature | Imprint Flow | Sierra Numbers Bars | Volumetric (vendor) | NT8 OrderFlow+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footprint visualization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single imbalance (2:1) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | partial |
| Stacked imbalance | ✓ | partial | ✓ | — |
| Absorption detection | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Per-bar + cumulative delta | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Volume Profile overlay | ✓ | — | — | extra |
| Native NT8 (no separate platform) | ✓ | needs Sierra | ✓ | ✓ |
| No NT8 Lifetime / OF license needed | ✓ | — | ✓ | required |
| Typical monthly cost | $29 | $36 (platform) | $39–65 | $1,000+ & $50/mo |
The honest take on each
Imprint Flow: our tool. Native NT8, all five core signals, no separate platform or Lifetime license. $149 one-time, or $29/mo. Built by a working trader; best if you want order flow specifically and cleanly. Details.
Sierra Numbers Bars. Excellent and battle-tested, but it lives in Sierra Chart, so you are buying into a second platform if your home is NT8.
Volumetric (third-party vendors): capable native NT8 footprint tools with absorption; quality and support vary by vendor, so check reviews.
NT8 OrderFlow+. NinjaTrader’s own suite. Solid, but the full feature set effectively requires the Lifetime license or a monthly add-on, which is why the all-in cost is high.
How to choose
- You want order flow, cleanly, on NT8, cheaply → Imprint Flow or a reputable Volumetric vendor.
- You already live in Sierra Chart → Sierra Numbers Bars.
- You already own NT8 Lifetime → OrderFlow+ may be "free enough."
New to reading the footprint? Start with our order-flow guide and the free cheat sheet.
Imprint Flow surfaces all of this automatically.
Footprint, single & stacked imbalances, absorption, and per-bar delta, rendered live on your NinjaTrader 8 chart. From $29/mo. All sales final.