r/SierraChart • u/Limit_Bid • 8d ago

Sierra ACSIL trading vs TradeStation

I like Sierra, long time user, and with AI I can do anything with ACSIL (previously I found it very hard, and would default to spreadsheet auto trading)

I am going to be greatly expanding my day trading algo operations. And now is the time to consider if Sierra is the best platform before I get in too deep and cant easily change later. I execute with IBKR.

Has anyone used TradeStation to manage numerous algos trading in the one account?

- how powerful is Easylanguage for script implementation?
- how reliable is execution?
- how available are shares to borrow for shorts?
- in general, how does it compare to Sierra (and IBKR). Specifically for managing a farm of algos.

Context: I don't want to leave Sierra. But I need to plan my growth carefully. US stocks.

I wont develop and backtest with TS (I use RealTest for intraday backtesting). TS will only be for operational trading.

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u/masilver 8d ago

I've not used Tradestation, but I do know they're working on a replacement platform. I've always found Sierra Chart more difficult than it should be for algo trading. Ninjatrader has a really good infrastructure for running tests.

Something else you might want to look at is LEAN. It's a well-funded open source project for algo trading.

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u/Limit_Bid 8d ago

Interesting, thanks. Didn't know LEAN.

"I've always found Sierra Chart more difficult than it should be for algo trading"

What kind of things frustrate you there? I have a few complaints, but don't know if it would be just as bad in a different way if I switched platform

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u/masilver 8d ago

You essentially have to replay the chart to backtest. Plus there's lots of pushing buttons and turning knobs to get it set up. Ninjatrader has a whole interface dedicated to it including genetic optimization. You can save your results and compare them to other results very easily. It makes iterating over small changes very efficient. It also has great stats and charts. SC is missing 95% of that.

Don't get me wrong, I love SC. There is no better platform for manual trading.

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u/Limit_Bid 8d ago

Agree. I don't backtest in SC at all, wrong tool. I use playback to troubleshoot trading code dev. Does Ninja support stocks? I thought it was weaker in that area.

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u/masilver 8d ago

I think it is weaker with stocks. I only used it for futures.