We are often asked which futures trading platforms provide built-in order flow tools such as DOM, footprint charts, volume profiles, and liquidity heatmaps. Several platforms specialize in this area, ranging from beginner-friendly to professional-grade.
Platforms with Integrated Order Flow Tools
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Optimus Flow (Quantower-powered)
- Advanced suite: DOM Surface heatmaps, 3D liquidity visualization, footprint charts, and volume profiles.
- Tick-by-tick market replay with in-depth analytics.
- Great balance of professional tools with a user-friendly design.
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TradingView (with futures integration)
- DOM (depth-of-market) and volume profile indicators available.
- Not as advanced as dedicated order flow platforms, but very accessible for traders starting out.
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Sierra Chart
- Highly customizable and widely respected among advanced order flow traders.
- Offers footprint charts, bid/ask volume profiles, imbalances, and multiple DOM layouts.
- Ideal for traders who want deep control and customization.
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ATAS (Order Flow Trading Platform)
- Specialized order flow platform with footprint charts, cluster analysis, DOM, and volume profiles.
- Tailored specifically for order flow and tape reading strategies.
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- Unique visualization of market depth and liquidity with heatmaps.
- Excellent for traders who want to literally “see” liquidity shifts and large resting orders.
- Very popular among short-term scalpers and liquidity-focused traders.
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- Professional DOM and tape-reading tools designed for serious order flow traders.
- Highly regarded for depth-of-market precision and trade execution training.
- Best suited for discretionary scalpers and traders focused on DOM behavior.
FAQ
Q: What is order flow in futures trading?
Order flow is the study of real-time buying and selling activity (bids, offers, trades) through tools like DOM, footprint charts, and liquidity heatmaps.
Q: Do all trading platforms include order flow features?
No. Many charting platforms only provide price and volume. Platforms like Optimus Flow, ATAS, Sierra Chart, Bookmap, and Jigsaw specialize in order flow analytics.
Q: Which platform is best for beginners?
TradingView is the easiest to start with, while Optimus Flow provides a good middle ground with a wide set of tools in one package.
Q: Which platform is best for advanced order flow traders?
Sierra Chart, ATAS, Bookmap, and Jigsaw are all strong choices—each has a different focus (customization, cluster analysis, liquidity heatmaps, or DOM precision).
Q: Do I need special data for order flow?
Yes. You’ll need CME market depth (Level II) data to unlock most order flow features, such as DOM, footprint, and liquidity heatmaps.
| Platform | DOM / Depth of Market | Footprint / Cluster Charts | Volume Profile | Liquidity Heatmap | Market Replay | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimus Flow |  Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (DOM Surface) |
Yes |
Traders wanting a balanced, all-in-one platform |
| TradingView | Yes (basic) |
 No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Beginners who want chart-based trading |
| Sierra Chart | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (via studies) |
Yes |
Advanced order flow traders, deep customization |
| ATAS | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Footprint, cluster, and volume profile strategies |
| Bookmap | Yes |
No |
Limited |
Yes (core feature) |
Yes |
Liquidity-focused traders, heatmap & order book |
| Jigsaw | Yes (advanced DOM) |
No |
Yes (basic) |
No |
Partial (DOM replay only) |
DOM/tape reading specialists, precision order flow tools |
There is a substantial risk of loss in futures trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Third-party product descriptions are for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies. Optimus Futures does not guarantee their accuracy. If you represent a company and see incorrect information, please contact us for review and correction.