Ninjatrader vs TDAmeritrade

I hope there is someone with enough experience to help me.

Up till now I have been using a broker. I want to try trading online by myself. I have a TDAmertrade account. There is a Ninja/Ameritrade interface that exists already. TDAmeritrade has a fairly robust set of tools that I am just starting to play with. Ninja also has a large set of tools plus user programability (I am an experience software engineer).

Each approach, ie use Ninja or use the Ameritrade tool set, have signifcantly steep learning curves and I wish to avoid having to spen the time to become fluent with both approaches. (The cost of Ninja is not a mojor concideration)

Is it worth learning to use Ninja or should I stick to the tools availible from Ameritrade:?: Or is worth learning both as they are sufficiently different in their abilaties? I am really looking where should I first invest my time.

One consideration may be the decision to write an automated system.... you would have to evaluate your options with both softwares in that area.

It will take time to learn both and perhaps it is best that you invest time in learning to use both as your needs may shift as time passes.