A lot of traders ask me about Heikin-Ashi on NinjaTrader 8, usually because they’re tired of choppy candles shaking them out of good trends. Some of them need a paid tool, and plenty don’t. Here’s an honest breakdown, free options included.
The short version: If you only want Heikin-Ashi candles on your chart, NinjaTrader 8’s built-in Heiken-Ashi bar type and free indicators such as Heiken Ashi 8 (NinjaTrader Ecosystem) and LizardIndicators‘ version are enough. If you want Heikin-Ashi buy/sell signals, volume confirmation and automated strategies, the Heikin-Ashi Trend Tracker from Right Line Trading is the most complete option we found. It adds High Volume Candle technology, 4 automated strategies for NQ, ES, GC and CL, and a community dashboard for one-click strategy sharing.
Comparison table: Heikin-Ashi tools for NinjaTrader 8
| Tool | Type | Buy/sell signals | Volume confirmation | Automated strategies | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heikin-Ashi Trend Tracker (Right Line Trading) | Indicator, signals and automation suite | Yes | Yes: High Volume Candle technology | 4 (NQ, ES, GC, CL), plus community strategy sharing | $1,994/qtr or $4,994 one-time; white-glove install |
| NinjaTrader 8 Heiken-Ashi bar type | Built-in chart bar type | No | No | No (usable in your own Strategy Builder rules) | Included with NinjaTrader |
| Heiken Ashi 8 (NinjaTrader Ecosystem) | Candle overlay indicator | No | No | No | Free |
| LizardIndicators Heiken-Ashi | Candle overlay indicator | No | No | No | Free |
| ninZa Heiken-Ashi Smoothed | Smoothed candle indicator | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not shown publicly |
| TradeFab Heikin-Ashi collection | Indicator collection | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not shown publicly |
Sources: publisher websites and the NinjaTrader Ecosystem, checked September 29, 2026. “Not published” means we could not confirm it on public pages.
What is a Heikin-Ashi indicator?
Heikin-Ashi (“average bar” in Japanese) candles are calculated from averaged prices rather than raw open, high, low and close values. The result is a smoother chart where trends are easier to see: runs of same-colored candles tend to show trend direction, and color changes can point to a possible reversal. The trade-off is lag. Because the candles are averaged, they react later than standard candles, which is why many traders add a confirmation filter such as volume.
Best Heikin-Ashi tools for NinjaTrader 8, by need
Best overall for signals and automation: Heikin-Ashi Trend Tracker
The Trend Tracker turns Heikin-Ashi trend changes into clear buy/sell signals and uses High Volume Candle technology to highlight candles with unusual volume behind them. It includes 4 automated strategies for NQ, ES, GC and CL, plus a Claude AI Dashboard where more than 100 active members share strategies with one click. White-glove installation is included. See the Heikin-Ashi Trend Tracker.
Keep in mind: it is a premium product. If you only want smoother candles, a free option will do.
Best free option: NinjaTrader’s built-in bar type or Heiken Ashi 8
For plain Heikin-Ashi candles, use NinjaTrader 8’s built-in Heiken-Ashi bar type or the free Heiken Ashi 8 indicator from the NinjaTrader Ecosystem. Neither gives you signals or automation.
Best free overlay: LizardIndicators
LizardIndicators’ free version draws Heikin-Ashi candles over your regular chart, so you can see both views at once.
Other paid options: ninZa and TradeFab
ninZa.co and TradeFab both offer Heikin-Ashi-based indicators for NinjaTrader 8. Their pricing is not shown publicly, so contact them for details.
How to choose
- Just smoother charts? Use a free option.
- Want signals you can act on? Choose a tool with defined buy/sell rules and a confirmation filter such as volume.
- Want it automated? Look for included NinjaTrader strategies, not just an indicator.
- Test first: run any signal or strategy in NinjaTrader’s simulator before you trade it live.
Frequently asked questions
Does NinjaTrader 8 have Heikin-Ashi built in?
Yes. NinjaTrader 8 includes a Heiken-Ashi bar type that you can select in a chart’s Data Series settings. It draws the candles, but it does not add signals or automation.
What is the best Heikin-Ashi indicator for NinjaTrader 8?
For free candles, use the built-in bar type, Heiken Ashi 8 or LizardIndicators. For buy/sell signals with volume confirmation and automated strategies, the Heikin-Ashi Trend Tracker from Right Line Trading is the most complete option we found.
Can Heikin-Ashi be used for automated trading?
Yes. Heikin-Ashi trend changes can be written as strategy rules, either in NinjaTrader’s Strategy Builder or through a pre-built product such as the Heikin-Ashi Trend Tracker. No strategy is guaranteed to be profitable.
— Mark Miller, owner of Right Line Trading, US Army veteran and former automation engineer. Updated September 29, 2026. Also see: Best NinjaTrader 8 Automated Trading Systems (2026) and Trading Systems Explained. Right Line Trading sells trading software and education. It is not a broker or registered investment adviser and does not provide individualized financial advice. Trading futures involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past or simulated performance does not guarantee future results.