How to Connect Your Prop Firm Account to NinjaTrader Desktop

Connecting a prop firm account to NinjaTrader Desktop is straightforward, but you must use the connection type and credentials provided by your prop firm.

Most futures prop firms use either Rithmic or Tradovate/NinjaTrader for the connection.

1. Get Your Prop Firm Login

Before opening NinjaTrader, make sure your prop firm account is active.

You will need:

• Your prop firm username
• Your prop firm password
• The connection/data provider your firm uses

Do not use your normal NinjaTrader login unless your prop firm specifically tells you to. Use the credentials supplied for the prop account.

2. Open NinjaTrader Desktop

Open NinjaTrader Desktop.

From the Control Center, click:

Connections → Configure

This is where you create the connection to your prop firm's trading infrastructure.

Add a Connection

3. If Your Prop Firm Uses Rithmic

Select:

Rithmic

If your prop firm specifically provides a Rithmic Evaluation Service connection, select that connection instead when instructed by the firm. Evaluation and funded accounts can use different Rithmic connection settings.

Enter the:

• Username
• Password
• System/Gateway, if required by your firm

Use the exact server or gateway information supplied by the prop firm.

Click OK to save the connection.

Then go back to:

Connections → [Your Rithmic Connection]

Click the connection to connect.

4. If Your Prop Firm Uses Tradovate/NinjaTrader

For a Tradovate-based account, the connection is generally created using the NinjaTrader connection type.

Go to:

Connections → Configure

Select NinjaTrader and create the connection.

Enter your Tradovate/NinjaTrader username and password, then select the appropriate trading mode if prompted.

Save the connection and select it from the Connections menu.

5. Confirm You Are Connected

Look at the connection indicator in the NinjaTrader Control Center.

A successful connection should show as Connected.

Then check your account selector.

Your prop account should appear with its:

• Account balance
• Buying power
• Open positions
• Account information

If the account appears, select that account when opening your charts, SuperDOM, Chart Trader, or other order-entry windows.

6. If You Have Multiple Prop Accounts

You can configure multiple connections in NinjaTrader Desktop.

For multiple providers, Multi-Provider Mode may be required:

Tools → Options → Multi-Provider

Enable it and restart NinjaTrader.

One important limitation is that only one Rithmic-based connection can be active at a time. If you are switching between two Rithmic prop firms, disconnect from the first one before connecting to the second.

Common Connection Problems

Account doesn't appear

Check that:

• You selected the correct connection type.
• Your prop account is active.
• You entered the prop firm's credentials correctly.
• You are using the correct evaluation/funded connection.
• Any required agreements have been completed.

Login fails

Re-enter the username and password exactly as provided by the prop firm.

Do not substitute your regular NinjaTrader credentials.

Rithmic won't connect

Make sure you aren't already connected to another Rithmic account. NinjaTrader limits simultaneous active Rithmic-based connections.

Everything connects but there is no market data

Check that your prop firm has enabled the required market-data access and that you selected the correct connection/environment.

Quick Version

Prop Firm → Get credentials → Open NinjaTrader Desktop → Connections → Configure → Select Rithmic or NinjaTrader/Tradovate → Enter prop credentials → Save → Connect → Select your prop account for trading.

The exact connection depends on which infrastructure your prop firm uses, so always follow the connection information supplied by the firm.

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