ATAS: the Order Flow Platform I Recommend for Learning
ATAS is a platform built purely for order flow: cluster charts (footprint), a smart order book, the tape and the volume profile in one user-friendly program. For learning order flow it's one of the best choices. I work in Sierra Chart, but I recommend ATAS without hesitation.
What it is
ATAS (Advanced Time And Sales) shows what matters most in order flow: buy and sell volume at every price (cluster charts), delta, the volume profile, large trades (Big Trades), a Smart DOM with change history, and Smart Tape – a tape with aggregated orders.
It runs on Windows and connects to futures data providers and to crypto exchanges.
What I like
- Ready-made order flow tools without lengthy setup.
- Clear cluster charts and good educational material.
- Market replay for training.
Drawbacks
- With many charts and lots of data it can be heavier than Sierra.
- Crypto data comes from individual exchanges, so it isn't a picture of the whole market the way CME data is.
- Like any platform, it doesn't give you an edge by itself: it's just a better view of the market.
Who it's for
For people starting out with order flow who want to see the footprint and the order book quickly, without a month of configuration.
Other platforms
- Sierra Chart I use it
- NinjaTrader 8 I use it
- TradingView Single purpose
- MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 I avoid it
- Bloomberg Terminal I don't need it
- The full list of platforms with my rating
Frequently asked questions
Is ATAS good for order flow?
Yes, it's a platform built specifically for order flow: footprint, delta, volume profile, Smart DOM and the tape.
ATAS or Sierra Chart?
ATAS is simpler and nicer-looking to start with; Sierra is faster and more configurable. Both show real data if you connect an exchange data feed.
Does ATAS work with crypto?
Yes, it connects to crypto exchanges, but each of them has its own order book, so the picture is incomplete.
Educational content and my personal opinion, not an investment recommendation. Features, pricing and availability change: check the current information with the vendor before deciding. Product names belong to their owners.