How to Create and Run Algos on a Sim Account in NinjaTrader

A Sim Account (Simulation Account) is a demo environment in NinjaTrader that lets you practice and test strategies without using real capital.
It mirrors real‑time market data so you can observe how your algorithms perform in different market conditions before deploying them on live accounts.

Why Use a Sim Account

Simulation accounts are ideal for:
- Testing algorithms and optimizing settings.
- Trying different futures markets (NASDAQ, S&P, Gold, Oil etc.).
- Understanding trade behavior before running real prop firm or cash accounts.
- Developing confidence in NinjaTrader controls without risk .​

You can create as many demo accounts as you want, each with its own balance and settings .​​

Step‑by‑Step: Create a New Sim Account

1. Open NinjaTrader and go to the Control Center.
   • This is the main command window that appears when you launch NinjaTrader.
2. Click the Accounts tab at the bottom section.
3. Right‑click anywhere in the blank space → select “Add Simulation Account…”
4. Set Account Details:
   - Account Name: Choose something easy to recognize (e.g., Sim Demo 1).
   - Initial Cash: Enter the desired starting balance (e.g., $50,000 to match Apex or TopStep accounts).
   - Adjust commission template or currency if needed (usually optional for testing).
5. Click OK to save your new Sim Account.
6. Reconnect your data feed:
   - Go to the top menu → Connections → Disconnect → Reconnect.
   - Your new Sim account will now appear inside the Accounts tab .​

Example

Let’s say you want a testing account to simulate a $50,000 prop account:
1. Name it Sim Apex 50K
2. Enter 50,000 as Initial Cash
3. Click OK
4. Reconnect to see Sim Apex 50K displayed next to Sim101 and other test accounts

You can now assign any algo (e.g., Grass Fed Prime Beef or Dip) to that Sim account to observe its behavior without risk.

Step‑by‑Step: Run an Algo on a Sim Account

1. From the Control Center, open the Strategies Tab.
2. Right‑click → Add Strategy.
3. Choose your desired algo from the list (e.g., Filet Mignon, Beef Bowl, etc.).
4. Under Account, select your new Sim account (e.g., Sim Demo 1).
5. Confirm the instrument (MNQ, MES, GC, etc.) and time frame match your algo spreadsheet.
6. Click OK, then enable the strategy.

Your chosen algo will now execute paper trades using live market prices on your Sim account .​​

Changing or Deleting a Sim Account

If you want to edit or remove a Sim account:
- Return to the Accounts tab.
- Right‑click the account name → select Edit Account or Remove.
- Changes take effect after disconnect/reconnect .​

Best Practices for Testing

- Treat it like real trading. Use a realistic starting balance and contract size.
- Test various algos in parallel. Create one Sim account per strategy for easy tracking.
- Monitor results daily. Use the Strategy tab and Performance Reports for stats.
- Reset periodically. If your demo gets “messy,” right‑click and select Reset Sim Account to start fresh.
- Ask for recommendations. Our support team can suggest which algos to simulate for your account size.

Quick Reference Checklist

Summary

- Sim Accounts let you test our algos in a live data environment without risk of loss.
- You can create as many as you want and customize starting balances.
- Assign algos to Sim accounts to analyze performance and compare settings safely.
- Use them as a sandbox environment before deploying on your prop firm accounts.

Tip: Keep your Sim accounts organized by naming them according to your test ( e.g., Sim PrimeBeef 15M 50K ). This makes strategy comparisons easy and structured.