Category: Data Feeds & Broker Connections | Last Updated: April 2026
Rithmic is the data and order-routing platform used by most major prop firms (Apex, Bulenox, Funded Trading Plus, and many others). Before you can run Vector Algorithmics strategies in NinjaTrader, you need to (1) set up Rithmic R | Trader Pro with your prop firm credentials, and (2) connect NinjaTrader to that Rithmic session.
Important: Rithmic runs on Windows only — macOS and ChromeOS are not supported. Rithmic also goes into maintenance over the weekend, so you won't be able to log in during that window.
If you already have another version of R | Trader installed (from a different firm or an older install), uninstall it completely and delete the related Rithmic folder before installing your prop firm's version. Running mismatched versions is the #1 cause of connection errors.
Download and install the correct version from your prop firm's official instructions, or from:
https://www.rithmic.com/rtraderpro
Always use the link your prop firm points you to — some firms require a specific build.
Your prop firm will give you a Rithmic Username and Password. You'll find them in: - The welcome email sent after your purchase - Your member's area / dashboard (e.g., Apex → "Rithmic and NinjaTrader Setup"; Bulenox → Member's Area)
⚠️ When copy-pasting, make sure you don't include extra spaces before or after the username/password — that's the single most common cause of login failures.
Open R | Trader Pro and configure as follows:
| Field | What to set |
|---|---|
| Skip Settings | Click "Skip Settings" (top-right) on first launch |
| Selective Load | Leave OFF |
| User ID / Password | Paste from your prop firm's dashboard |
| System | Select the entry that matches your firm (e.g., APEX for Apex, Rithmic Paper Trading for Bulenox). Check your firm's guide. |
| Gateway | Pick the region closest to you — Americas: Chicago · Europe: Europe / Frankfurt · Asia: Tokyo / Singapore |
| Market Data | Check your firm's instructions. Apex → leave OFF (NT will hold the only allowed session). Bulenox → turn ON, plus Allow Plugins ON. |
Click Login.
On your first login, Rithmic will show two required documents: 1. Review the first agreement → click I Agree 2. Review the second agreement → select Non-Professional or Professional → click Submit
Non-Professional vs. Professional: - Non-Professional — free exchange data (included in your funded account). You qualify if you're an individual using market data only for personal, non-commercial use, aren't licensed with a securities/futures regulator, aren't a member of any exchange, don't work for a brokerage/bank/investment firm, and don't trade or manage assets for third parties. - Professional — required if you don't meet the above. Typically ~$112/month per exchange (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) billed by your firm.
If you only have one Market Data session allowed, Rithmic counts either R | Trader Pro or NinjaTrader as your single session. To run both simultaneously, you'll need the "Rithmic 2nd Login Session" add-on.
Always connect R | Trader Pro and accept the Rithmic terms before opening NinjaTrader.
Create a free NinjaTrader simulation profile, confirm your email, then install NinjaTrader 8. - Accounts created after 07/13/2024 already include the license key — no manual entry needed. - If you already have a NinjaTrader account with Rithmic (Evaluation) entitlements, reuse it.
In NinjaTrader Control Center: 1. Go to Tools (called Settings in the latest version) → Options 2. Check Multi-provider 3. Click OK
APEX, Rithmic Paper Trading (Chicago))Apex, Bulenox) so it's easy to identifyTools → uncheck Global Simulation Mode. Otherwise NinjaTrader will ignore your live Rithmic account and route to the built-in sim.
From Control Center → Connections → click your newly named connection (e.g., Apex / Bulenox). You should see a green status indicator and a flowing chart.
"Login Failed" - Extra spaces in username/password (most common) — retype manually - Caps Lock on - Using R | Trader Pro credentials while already logged in on NinjaTrader (or vice versa) when you only have one session
"Cannot Connect to Server" - It's the weekend — Rithmic is under maintenance - Your firewall/antivirus is blocking outbound traffic - VPN conflict — disable and retry
"No Data" / Charts Frozen - You're logged in but Market Data setting is wrong for your firm — recheck Step 4 - Contract isn't added in NinjaTrader → Tools → Instruments - Global Simulation Mode is still enabled
Random Disconnects - Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi - Firewall intermittently blocking — whitelist NinjaTrader and R | Trader Pro
Installing Rithmic for a prop firm is a two-step flow: configure R | Trader Pro with your firm's System name and region, then add My Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage inside NinjaTrader using the same credentials. Once both show green, you're ready to load Vector strategies.
For any additional questions — firm-specific System names, regional gateways, account-level permissions, or billing for Professional data — consult your prop firm's official website and support portal. They maintain the most up-to-date Rithmic connection instructions for their members.