Apteros Connection Guide to NinjaTrader 8

Firm website: apterostrading.com

Yes, with PropFirmConnector. Apteros documents NinjaTrader only for its Tradovate connection, so an Apteros account with the Rithmic connection connects through the add-on. Copy the Rithmic username and password from Platform Credentials in your Apteros dashboard and select Rithmic Paper Trading (Chicago) for System.

Start free 7-day trial
System: Rithmic Paper Trading (Chicago) Last verified:

PropFirmConnector is an independent third-party add-on and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apteros, NinjaTrader, or Rithmic.

Your Apteros Rithmic account and login

Apteros runs a Trader Evaluation Program on simulated accounts and graduates traders to its Live Desk, which trades live firm capital. When you create an evaluation account, you choose its connection: Tradovate (with NinjaTrader and TradingView), Rithmic or Sierra Chart.

Apteros documents NinjaTrader only for the Tradovate connection. Its Rithmic credentials work in R|Trader Pro and compatible platforms once the market-data agreements are signed, with System Rithmic Paper Trading. PropFirmConnector connects an Apteros Rithmic login to NinjaTrader 8 and runs it alongside other firms’ Rithmic logins in one instance.

Where to find your Apteros Rithmic login

Sign in to your Apteros dashboard and open the Platform Credentials dropdown in the upper right; it shows the credentials for your account’s connection. Apteros sets the connection type (Rithmic, Tradovate or Sierra Chart) when you create an evaluation account, and your other evaluation accounts must use the same type.

Open Apteros dashboard (opens in a new tab)

How to connect Apteros to NinjaTrader 8 in 5 steps

  1. Sign the Rithmic agreements in R|Trader Pro

    Apteros requires this before any other Rithmic platform works. Install R|Trader Pro and sign in with the credentials from Platform Credentials, with System set to Rithmic Paper Trading in both the upper and lower panes (the step Apteros says people miss most) and Gateway Chicago Area. Sign the market-data agreements, certifying as Non-Professional unless you are a professional trader. Then close R|Trader Pro; the direct PropFirmConnector setup below does not need it open.

  2. Install PropFirmConnector

    From your PropFirmConnector account, download PropFirmConnector.zip and close NinjaTrader completely. Extract the ZIP, then copy NinjaTrader.Custom-pfc.dll to My Documents\NinjaTrader 8\bin\Custom. Start NinjaTrader again and, when your browser opens, click Activate this device.

    Open your account downloads

    No license yet? Start the free 7-day trial, then download PropFirmConnector from your account.

  3. Open NinjaTrader 8 and sign in

    Start NinjaTrader 8 and sign in with your NinjaTrader account credentials when prompted. These are your NinjaTrader credentials, not the Rithmic username and password issued by Apteros.

  4. Configure Rithmic for Apteros

    In the NinjaTrader Control Center, select Connections, then configure. Select Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage from the Available list on the left, enter the Rithmic username and password issued by Apteros, give the connection a recognizable name, leave Connect on start up and Plug-in mode off, and select Rithmic Paper Trading (Chicago) for System.

  5. Connect to Apteros

    Open Connections again and click the connection name you just created. A green status indicator and the account appearing in NinjaTrader confirm the connection.

    An interface illustration of the Apteros connection after it turns green.

Enlarged guide image

If your Apteros connection is not working

Should Plug-in mode be on or off?
Off. Plug-in mode shares a running R|Trader Pro session with NinjaTrader, which is a different setup from PropFirmConnector’s direct connection. In Connections > Configure, select your Rithmic connection, uncheck Plug-in mode, click OK and connect again. Some firm and Rithmic instructions turn it on for their R|Trader Pro workflow; leave it off for PropFirmConnector.
The connection is green, but the account isn’t in NinjaTrader’s Accounts tab.
Your NinjaTrader login is probably missing the general Rithmic entitlement, so the Accounts tab often shows only Sim101. In NinjaTrader, open Help > About. The Entitlements line should say Evaluation (Rithmic); if it doesn’t, the connection can turn green without showing your accounts. Older NinjaTrader accounts don’t have this entitlement by default, but newly registered accounts do. The fix is in your NinjaTrader account, not in Rithmic or your firm’s dashboard, and you only do it once.
About NinjaTrader window with Entitlements showing Evaluation (Rithmic).
Correct: Entitlements lists Evaluation (Rithmic). Machine ID and User are hidden.

If Evaluation (Rithmic) is missing:

  • Import this license key at account.ninjatrader.com: click your initials, then Settings > Plans > Import license key. Paste the key, click Import, then close and restart NinjaTrader.
    @APE-XTRA-DERF-UNDI-183T-PR45-LW27-63GE
  • No Import license key button, or still missing? Trading mainly with prop firms? Your NinjaTrader login doesn’t matter, so the fastest fix is to create a new NinjaTrader account with a different email and sign in with it.
  • Keeping your current login, for example because it has a live account on it? Email platformsupport@ninjatrader.com with your NinjaTrader username and ask them to enable the general Rithmic entitlement.
Play video: Rithmic Account Not Showing in NinjaTrader? Connected but Only Sim101

Rithmic account not showing in NinjaTrader: the full fix, step by step →

Rithmic rejects your Apteros login.
Set System to Rithmic Paper Trading in both panes of the R|Trader Pro login, the step Apteros says people miss most, and sign the market-data agreements there first. Then copy the credentials again from Platform Credentials and select Rithmic Paper Trading rather than Rithmic 01.
Your Apteros account has Tradovate credentials instead of Rithmic.
The account was created with the Tradovate connection, where Apteros offers NinjaTrader directly. Apteros keeps every evaluation account on the same connection type and lets you choose again only when you create a new account while no other evaluation account is active.

Official Apteros resources

Apteros + NinjaTrader questions

Q Can I connect an Apteros Rithmic account to NinjaTrader 8?

Yes, with PropFirmConnector. Apteros offers NinjaTrader on its Tradovate connection; for an account with the Rithmic connection, use the credentials from Platform Credentials with System Rithmic Paper Trading (Chicago), and PropFirmConnector connects that login.

Q Where do I find my Apteros Rithmic login?

In your Apteros dashboard, under the Platform Credentials dropdown in the upper right.

Q Which System do I select for Apteros?

Rithmic Paper Trading (Chicago) for evaluation accounts; Apteros says to set it in both panes of the R|Trader Pro login. A Live Desk account trading live capital on Rithmic uses Rithmic 01 (Chicago).

Q Can I switch an Apteros account from Tradovate to Rithmic?

Not on an existing account. Apteros keeps all your evaluation accounts on one connection type and lets you choose again only when you create a new account while no other evaluation account is active.

Q Do I need a NinjaTrader license for Apteros?

No. With PropFirmConnector, a free NinjaTrader account works for your Apteros Rithmic login.

Q Is PropFirmConnector affiliated with Apteros?

No. PropFirmConnector is an independent NinjaTrader add-on and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apteros, NinjaTrader, or Rithmic.

Authenticator verification

Enter your authentication code

Enter the current 6-digit code from your authenticator app.