Traders seeking to obtain a funded futures account have made Topstep one of the most used options. The NinjaTrader platform, characterised as one of the most sophisticated ones for futures trading, complements the former perfectly, thus creating a strong setup for the three functions of charting, strategy execution, and meeting the evaluation rules of Topstep.
If you are ready to trade the Topstep Combine, or if you are already funded and wish to trade via NinjaTrader, the process will require installing the platform, connecting your account details, configuring your data, and setting up the charts properly. This guide helps you with all the important steps to ensure your platform is optimised, compliant, and ready for live futures performance.
Step 1: Create Your Topstep Account and Access Your Credentials
Before doing anything with NinjaTrader, it is necessary to check if your Topstep account is active. You will be given: trading credentials, account login details, and broker connection information (via Tradovate or Rithmic, according to your plan) as soon as you join a Combine or qualify for a Funded Account.
The majority of Topstep traders use accounts powered by Tradovate, although depending on the setup, support for Rithmic is also available.
Keep the credentials safe, as they will be needed during the NinjaTrader connection setup.
Step 2: Download and Install NinjaTrader
Go to NinjaTrader’s official website to get the latest version and then install it. After you’ve installed it:
- Open NinjaTrader Desktop.
- Start a new NinjaTrader user account or log in with your existing one.
- Get to know the Control Center well, as it is your center for managing connections, accounts, and charts.
Your platform should be regularly updated to the latest build version so that it can maintain compatibility with Topstep-supported connections.
Step 3: Connect Your Topstep Account to NinjaTrader
Your connection method depends on the feed Topstep assigns to you. The two possible paths are:
Option A: Connecting via Tradovate (Most Common for Topstep)
Topstep uses a Tradovate-powered infrastructure, and NinjaTrader supports this connection.
To connect:
- Open NinjaTrader Control Center
- Go to Connections, then Configure
- Find Tradovate in the list and click Add
- Enter your username, password, and API credentials
- Click OK, then select Connections, then Tradovate
When connected successfully, you’ll see the Tradovate status turn green.
This allows you to trade your Topstep Combine or Funded Account directly inside NinjaTrader’s interface.
Option B: Connecting via Rithmic (Alternative)
Some Topstep setups still support Rithmic, a low-latency feed popular for prop trading.
To connect with Rithmic:
- In NinjaTrader, go to Connections, then Configure
- Add Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage
- Fill in your Rithmic login, server, and credentials
- Enable “Market Data” and “Trading”
- Click OK, then connect using Connections, then Rithmic
If the login fails, double-check:
- Whether your Rithmic credentials are case-sensitive
- If your account is authorised for NinjaTrader connections
- That you selected the correct server (e.g., Chicago, Chicago paper, etc.)
Step 4: Configure Your Account and Permissions
Once connected, NinjaTrader will load your Topstep trading account. Make sure:
- Your Topstep account is visible in Accounts
- Commissions are applied correctly
- The correct broker connection is selected in your charts
- You isolate only the account you need (so you don’t accidentally trade in the sim account)
Under Tools, Options, then Trading, adjust the following:
- Order quantity defaults
- ATM strategy settings
- Confirmations (disable them if you want faster execution, but use caution)
This ensures your trading matches Topstep rules and your chosen strategy style.
Step 5: Set Up Data Feeds and Charting
Data feeds come from Tradovate or Rithmic, not NinjaTrader itself. Once connected, configure your charts:
- Open a new chart via New, then Chart
Choose the futures instrument (e.g., MES, MNQ, NQ, ES, CL)
Select your interval (tick, minute, range, etc.) - Apply indicators and templates
- Enable ‘Trading: Chart Trader’ for fast order execution
For Topstep evaluations, charts should match the time zone and contract specifications you’re trading. Double-check expiry dates when rolling contracts.
Step 6: Apply Risk Parameters That Align With Topstep Rules
One of the fastest ways traders fail a Combine is by forgetting daily loss limits or breaking rules unintentionally. NinjaTrader gives you tools to prevent this.
Use:
ATM Strategies
- Set fixed stop-loss
- Set trailing stops
- Configure profit targets
Risk Management Alerts
Add alerts for:
- Daily loss thresholds
- Maximum position size
- Schedule-based limits (no trading during news if your rules require it)
Chart Markers and Drawings
These help mark risk zones, session times, and rule boundaries.
Proper configuration prevents accidental violations and keeps your account safe—especially in fast-moving markets.
Step 7: Simulate a Test Trade in Simulation Mode
Always test before trading your Topstep actual account:
- Check visibility of the Chart Trader
- Test functionality of the Buy/Sell buttons
- Place stop-loss and profit target orders
- Ensure orders are routed to the correct account
- Check stability of the connection
A quick SIM trade guarantees that everything is working properly before your Combine progress is at risk.
Step 8: Commence Trading Your Topstep Combine or Funded Account
After setting and walking through the complete steps:
- Make a selection of your funded or evaluation account in the Chart Trader or DOM
- Trade as per your strategy
- Use NinjaTrader’s analytics or external tools to keep track of your trading results
- Be very strict with Topstep rules (daily loss limits, scaling rules, etc.)
With NinjaTrader’s charting, order flow tools, and speed, you are offered a professional-grade futures trading environment to help you pass the Combine and stay consistently profitable.
Why Trading FX VPS Is the Ideal VPS for Running Topstep on NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is a powerful trading platform that requires the delivery of a stable, low-latency, always-on environment to achieve the best performance, and that’s where Trading FX VPS comes into the picture. The infrastructure that Trading FX VPS provides for the traders who need precision, speed, and nothing but uninterrupted performance is not only capable of running Topstep and NinjaTrader but also capable of doing so without any complications during the fierce market times.
The trading services of the Trading FX VPS come with super-fast servers, super-fast SSD or NVMe storage, premium data routing, and low speed at Chicago’s major futures exchanges. This is critical since if you are trading in Topstep, either in the Combine or on a Funded Account, you need flawless execution, fast order placement, and stable connectivity. A home internet connection is likely to drop during crucial moments, but a dedicated VPS guarantees that your platform remains online around the clock.
When you integrate Trading FX VPS with NinjaTrader, you are able to install the platform, run the Topstep connection (Tradovate or Rithmic), manage your charts, and perform trade operations from any device in a remote mode. The trading environment is kept active even if the computer is turned off, which means that the risk of platform freezes, missed fills, or disconnections that could result in a breach of Topstep’s evaluation rules is reduced.
By providing dedicated customer support, ultra-fast execution routes, and optimised trading environments, Trading FX VPS offers you a solid ground on which to confidently trade the Topstep evaluations or funded accounts.
Improve your Topstep and NinjaTrader performance – opt for Trading FX VPS, and you can trade with a stable, fast, and totally stress-free environment.