Setup Rithmic + NinjaTrader for Prop Firm Trading

Introduction

To trade futures in a prop firm, it isn't enough to know the markets and have a solid strategy. Above all, you need a properly configured platform, connected to a reliable data feed, with the right instruments and the right settings. Without this, even the best trader gets stuck before even placing their first order.

Rithmic and NinjaTrader 8 form the duo most used by futures traders in prop firms. Rithmic provides the real-time data feed and handles order execution, while NinjaTrader is the charting platform where you analyze the markets and place your trades. Together, they offer a complete, high-performance solution compatible with nearly all prop firms on the market.

This guide walks you through from A to Z: from receiving your Rithmic credentials to executing your first order on an evaluation or funded account. Each step is detailed so you can be operational in less than 30 minutes, even if you have never used these free trading resources before.

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Why Rithmic?

Rithmic is the reference data feed for futures trading. Used by institutional traders as well as prop firms, it has established itself as the industry standard for several fundamental reasons.

A reference data feed for futures

Rithmic supplies market data directly from the exchanges (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) with no intermediary. This means you receive real-time prices with minimal latency, identical to that of professional traders on the Chicago trading floors. Data feed quality is critical in intraday trading: a delay of a few milliseconds can make the difference between a fill at the desired price and costly slippage.

Ultra-fast execution

Rithmic's infrastructure is optimized for execution speed. Orders are routed directly to the exchanges via servers co-located in the exchanges' data centers. For a futures trader who enters and exits positions multiple times a day, this execution speed is a meaningful advantage, especially on volatile instruments like NQ or ES.

Used by major prop firms

The vast majority of futures prop firms use Rithmic as their primary data feed. That's the case for Phidias Propfirm, but also Topstep, Apex Trader Funding and many others. Mastering Rithmic guarantees full compatibility whatever the challenge or funded account you use.

Alternative: dxFeed

Some prop firms also offer dxFeed as an alternative to Rithmic. Phidias Propfirm supports both. dxFeed is generally simpler to configure and can offer better latency for European traders thanks to its servers in Europe. We detail this alternative at the end of the article.

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Step 1: Create your Rithmic account

The first step is to obtain your Rithmic credentials. Contrary to what many beginners think, you don't create a Rithmic account directly yourself. The prop firms supply the credentials after validating your registration.

How to get your credentials

Here is the standard process:

1. You sign up for a challenge or evaluation account at a prop firm (for example Phidias Propfirm).
2. After payment validation, the prop firm generates a Rithmic account in your name.
3. You receive an email containing your login credentials.
4. These credentials let you connect via NinjaTrader or any other compatible platform.

The credentials to keep

The prop firm email will generally contain four essential pieces of information:

• User ID: your unique Rithmic login identifier
• Password: your password (changeable afterwards)
• System Name: the system name assigned by the prop firm (e.g., Phidias-EVAL or similar)
• Gateway: the connection server to use (Paper Trading or Live depending on account type)

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Step 2: Install NinjaTrader 8

NinjaTrader 8 is the most popular trading platform for futures, and for good reasons: it is free in basic mode, Rithmic compatible, and offers a wide range of technical analysis tools. Here's how to install it correctly.

Download NinjaTrader 8

Go to the official NinjaTrader website to download the latest version of NinjaTrader 8. The software is free in SIM (simulation) mode and for basic features, which is more than enough for prop firm trading. You don't need to buy a license to get started.

Standard Windows install

Installation is standard on Windows:

1. Launch the downloaded installer (NinjaTrader8Setup.exe).
2. Accept the terms of use.
3. Choose the install folder (the default path works in most cases).
4. Wait for the installation to finish (2 to 5 minutes depending on your machine).
5. Launch NinjaTrader 8 from the desktop shortcut.

First launch and basic setup

On first launch, NinjaTrader will ask you to create a NinjaTrader account (free). This account is separate from your Rithmic account — it only serves to activate the platform. Enter your email and create a password. Once logged in, the platform opens on the Control Center, NinjaTrader's main dashboard.

Choose the right mode

NinjaTrader offers two main modes:

• Simulation mode (SIM): to practice without real risk. Orders are executed virtually.
• Live mode: to trade with a real account or a prop firm account. Orders are sent to the market via Rithmic.

For a prop firm evaluation account, you will use Live mode connected to the Rithmic Paper Trading server. For a funded account, Live mode connected to the Rithmic 01 server. The difference is in the Rithmic server, not in the NinjaTrader mode.

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Step 3: Connect Rithmic to NinjaTrader

This is the most important step: linking your Rithmic data feed to the NinjaTrader platform. If this connection is misconfigured, you won't receive market data and won't be able to place orders.

Connection procedure

1. In NinjaTrader, go to the Connections menu at the top left of the Control Center.
2. Click Configure.
3. In the window that opens, look for Rithmic in the providers list on the left.
4. Click Rithmic then the + (add) button to create a new connection.
5. Give your connection a name (e.g., "My Phidias Account" or "Evaluation").

Fill in the parameters

In the configuration fields, enter the following information:

• Server: choose the server matching your account type. This is the most critical point of the setup.
• Username: the User ID received by email from your prop firm.
• Password: the password received by email.

Test the connection

Once the parameters are entered:

1. Click OK to save the configuration.
2. Return to the Connections menu.
3. Click your connection name to activate it.
4. If everything is correct, the connection indicator turns green in the bottom-left corner of the Control Center.
5. A confirmation message appears in the NinjaTrader log.

If the connection fails, first check the selected server, then the User ID and Password. Typos are common, especially in passwords containing special characters.

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Step 4: Configure the instruments

Once connected to Rithmic, you must add the futures instruments you want to trade. The four most popular futures in prop firms are the US indices.

Understanding symbols and rollover

Futures contracts have a quarterly expiration date. The symbol suffix indicates the month and year of expiration. For example, ES 03-26 means the E-mini S&P 500 contract expiring in March 2026. Expiration months are: March (03), June (06), September (09) and December (12). Each quarter, you must "roll" to the new contract, that is, switch from the current contract to the next one.

For a full explanation of each instrument, see our guide to ES, NQ, YM and RTY futures.

Add an instrument in NinjaTrader

1. Open a new chart window: File > New > Chart.
2. In the Instrument field, type the symbol (e.g., ES 03-26).
3. NinjaTrader will automatically search for the instrument via your Rithmic connection.
4. Select the instrument from the list and confirm.
5. Configure the desired timeframe (1 min, 5 min, 15 min, etc.) and click OK.

Repeat the operation for each instrument you want to follow. Most prop firm traders focus on one or two instruments at most to stay focused.

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Step 5: Recommended trading settings

Before placing your first order, it is essential to configure your trading settings correctly. Bad configuration can lead to costly errors, especially in a prop firm where every point of drawdown counts.

ATM Strategy (automatic SL/TP management)

ATM Strategies (Advanced Trade Management) are one of NinjaTrader's most powerful features. They let you pre-configure your Stop Loss and Take Profit automatically on each entry. Here's how to create one:

1. Open a chart with an active instrument.
2. Click the + sign next to the ATM selector in the Chart Trader toolbar.
3. Set your Stop Loss (e.g., 10 ticks on ES, that is 2.5 points).
4. Set your Take Profit (e.g., 20 ticks, that is 5 points).
5. Save the ATM with an explicit name (e.g., "ES-10SL-20TP").

On each trade, NinjaTrader will automatically place your SL and TP without you having to do it manually. This eliminates the risk of forgetting to place a stop in the heat of the action.

Default position size

Set a default position size suited to your account. In prop firms, the golden rule is to start small and scale up progressively.

Sound alerts

Enable sound alerts for important events: order fill, stop loss hit, take profit hit. This lets you stay informed even if you're not constantly watching the screen. In NinjaTrader, go to Tools > Options > Sounds to configure alerts.

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Step 6: Add the indicators

NinjaTrader offers a large catalog of built-in and customizable indicators. Here are the most useful indicators for futures prop firm trading and how to add them to your charts.

Volume Profile

Volume Profile displays the volume traded at each price level over a given period. It's an essential tool to identify support and resistance zones based on actual volume. To add it: right-click on the chart > Indicators > search for "Volume Profile" > Add. To master this tool, see our complete Volume Profile guide for futures.

Market Profile

Market Profile organizes price by time spent at each level (TPO). It lets you identify the Value Area, the POC and the Initial Balance. NinjaTrader offers a native Market Profile indicator in its paid version, but free alternatives exist in the community. For in-depth use, see our Market Profile guide with intraday setups.

VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price)

VWAP is the volume-weighted average price over the day. It's a reference level used by institutional traders to assess whether the current price is "expensive" or "cheap" relative to the day's average. To add it: right-click on the chart > Indicators > search for "VWAP" > Add.

How to add an indicator on a chart

The procedure is always the same, whatever the indicator:

1. Open the chart on which you want to add the indicator.
2. Right-click on the chart and select Indicators.
3. In the window that opens, browse the list or use the search bar.
4. Select the desired indicator and click Add (the right arrow).
5. Configure the indicator's parameters in the right panel (colors, periods, etc.).
6. Click OK to apply.

You can save your chart configuration (indicators, colors, timeframe) as a template so you don't have to reconfigure everything every time. Go to File > Save As in the chart window.

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Phidias-specific configuration

If you use Phidias Propfirm, here are the specific settings to apply for an optimal setup. Phidias is one of the most popular prop firms in 2026, with particularly advantageous trading conditions.

Server by account type

• Evaluation account (challenge): use the Rithmic Paper Trading server. Orders are simulated but the market conditions are real.
• Funded account: use the Rithmic 01 server. Orders are executed on the real market.

When you go from evaluation to funded, Phidias sends you new credentials by email. You will need to create a new connection in NinjaTrader or modify the existing connection with the new parameters.

Check the contract limits

Each Phidias account has a limit of contracts open at the same time. Check this limit in the Market Data of your account or in your plan's conditions. For example, a $50K account generally allows up to 5 ES mini contracts (or 50 micros). Exceeding this limit can lead to an order refusal or a breach of account rules.

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Common issues and solutions

Even by following this guide to the letter, you may run into connection or configuration issues. Here are the most common errors and their solutions.

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  "Connection failed" or "Login failed"

  Most common cause: wrong server selected (Paper Trading instead of Rithmic 01 or vice versa). Also check that the User ID and Password are entered correctly, with no leading or trailing spaces. Watch out for capitals in the password.

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  "No data" or empty chart

  This means the connection is established but you're not receiving market data. Verify that your data subscription is active with the prop firm. Also check that the market is open (futures are closed on weekends and certain holidays). Finally, make sure the instrument symbol is correct and the contract hasn't expired.

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  High latency or frequent disconnects

  Choose the Rithmic gateway closest to your location. For European users, the "Europe" gateway generally offers better latency than the "Chicago" gateway. Also check your internet connection: a stable fiber connection is recommended for futures trading.

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  "Already logged in" or duplicate session

  Rithmic only allows one simultaneous connection per account. If you see this error, you're already connected from another NinjaTrader instance or another computer. Close all other instances and wait 1 to 2 minutes before reconnecting.

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Alternative: dxFeed

If Rithmic doesn't suit you or you want to test an alternative, dxFeed is a serious option offered by some prop firms, including Phidias Propfirm.

Advantages of dxFeed

• Simpler setup: dxFeed requires fewer setup steps than Rithmic. Integration with NinjaTrader is more direct.
• Better latency for Europe: thanks to servers in Europe, some European traders see lower latency with dxFeed compared to Rithmic, whose main servers are in Chicago.
• Phidias compatibility: Phidias Propfirm fully supports dxFeed for both evaluations and funded accounts.

Limits of dxFeed

• Less widespread: fewer prop firms support dxFeed than Rithmic, which limits the portability of your setup if you switch prop firms.
• Less documentation: the community being smaller, there are fewer resources and tutorials available online.
• More limited features: some advanced features (like detailed Depth of Market) may be less complete than with Rithmic.

To get started, we recommend beginning with Rithmic (it's the standard) and testing dxFeed if you run into latency or connection issues. Both offer perfectly valid trading conditions for prop firms.

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Frequently Asked Questions