Looking for API trading recommendations

Well just like I thought I'd never look at tick charts, I also thought I'd never be interested in API trading lol. One of my methods based on an hourly time frame would be perfect for it though, since I'm not yet awake 24 hrs a day.

I trade with an ECN, so Tradestation is not an option for me.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good API solution, that doesn't require a 4 year degree in COBOL to learn? I looked briefly at Ninja trader. I think I could swing the language there, but it's still a lot. Is there anything out there even more simple? I know the rules I want to set / tweak for entry / exit. It's just a matter of geting them into the language of the trading program. I also looked at GenesiFT and it seems very cool, but doesn't have much for Forex traders.

Any recommendations for API trading software (compatible with ECNs) that are more user friendly would be greatly appreciated.

Which one?

We aren't allowed to name names until we have 100 posts

Are you using a software you like?

mbt, IB offer API.

im using mbtsdk.

So you've written your own app them if you are using the SDK? That's way beyond my programming skill level I have a tech background, but that's out of my league.

Maybe I should clarify what I'm looking for. I'm not looking for a broker that offers API trading. I'm looking for a tool that can trade at the API level such as ninja trader, but with the lowest language learning curve as possible.

I'd like to be able to both back test, and live trade with it based on my rules. Any advice? I have eSignal, but it doesn't live trade, and Java makes my head hurt lol.

Metatrader is a great tool for auto trading but to my knowledge it is not supported by any ECN. What you might want to do is open an account with a retail broker that offers low spreads - there are more and more of them all the time.

MT4 is free for a good reason. they force u to go thru brokers that have big fixed spreads so that everytime u trade the MT4 guys will pocket a proportion of that. at least this is what im told.

if u are to trade with ecn, ur only options are Neoticker and Ninjatrader, SmartQuant, and few other stuff out thre that costs at least 1000.

most of those require c#/c++ stuff . c# is not too bad.

i recommend MT4 to get u learning first.

also, unless u have an absolutely amazing system that can function long term , do not bother autotrading....its not worth the effort. i mainly took up mbtsdk, ya i admit i was naive and aiming for holy grail, but its a great way to learn new stuff, but i rather make pips.

mbtsdk is fine with visual basic as well. its not too difficult. i was using it to try out a few arbitrage ideas....

also c# / c++ is supported.

I am looking into smartquant but not getting the kind of support I had hoped for.

I'm not looking for the holy grail. Backtesting in minutes beats scrolling the chart and eyeballing it.

[quote=jjk2;1643753]MT4 is free for a good reason. they force u to go thru brokers that have big fixed spreads so that everytime u trade the MT4 guys will pocket a proportion of that. at least this is what im told.quote]

They don't force you, they may limit your options. You can deal with the brokers to get lower spreads if your account is large enough.