Accounts & Prop Firms

CrossTrade works with accounts loaded into NinjaTrader 8 and with Tradovate Live or Demo identities linked directly to CrossTrade. NT8 accounts include simulation, live brokerage, and prop-firm funded or evaluation accounts. Direct Tradovate accounts run through CrossTrade's cloud without NT8 or the Add-On. This page covers how to select accounts, run multiple accounts, work with prop firms, and avoid copier conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CrossTrade charge per account or connection?

No. CrossTrade does not charge per account or per connection. You can use accounts loaded into your connected NinjaTrader 8 instance and Tradovate Live or Demo accounts linked directly under My Account > Brokers.

How do I place an order on a specific account via webhook?

Use the account= parameter in your payload. For the NT8 destination, the name must match what NinjaTrader reports; NT8 account names go up to the exclamation point if one exists (for example BX12345-01, not BX12345-01!). For destination=tradovate, use the linked Tradovate account name shown under My Account > Brokers.

How do I place the same order across multiple accounts?

Use multi-account placement — pass a comma-separated list of account names in the account= parameter. Spaces around commas are automatically stripped, so both formats work. See Multi-Account Placement at crosstrade.io/docs/webhooks/advanced-options/multi-account-placement for examples, plus Account Cycling which integrates with the NT Account Manager.

Why does my account not appear in the dropdown or return "account not found"?

The answer depends on the destination. NT8 only lists accounts whose data feeds are currently connected, so enable multi-provider mode, connect the correct feed, and confirm the account appears in the NT8 Control Center > Accounts tab. Direct Tradovate accounts come from your linked Live or Demo identity instead; confirm the correct identity is linked under My Account > Brokers and that the account appears there.

How do I enable multiple prop firm accounts in NinjaTrader at once?

Enable multi-provider mode in NinjaTrader. See crosstrade.io/docs/ninjatrader/enabling-multi-provider-mode. With multi-provider mode on, you can connect feeds from several prop firms simultaneously and trade all of their accounts in one NT8 instance. Traders use this every day across Apex, Topstep, TPT, Bulenox, BluSky, Tradeify, and more.

Do prop firms block running multiple provider connections?

No — running multiple prop-firm connections in one NT8 instance is not blocked by the prop firms themselves; traders do it daily. However, some specific brokerage providers (like Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage) only allow one connection to their service at a time per login. In that case you need to run separate NT8 instances or separate logins for each concurrent connection to that provider.

Do I need a separate CrossTrade subscription for each VPS or NT8 instance?

Yes, currently one CrossTrade account maps to one NT8 instance. If you run two VPSes, you need two CrossTrade accounts. This is something CrossTrade is working to change in the future.

Is there a limit on the number of accounts in Account Management?

No, there is no fixed cap on the number of managed accounts. Users have run well past 100 accounts. Each monitored account adds its own polling and evaluation work, so very large fleets should keep an eye on overall machine performance.

How do I remove old/blown prop-firm accounts from the dropdown list?

There is no clean way. NinjaTrader's API does not distinguish between active and inactive/blown accounts — they all appear in one master list. The only way to fully clear the list is to completely uninstall NT8 (including the configuration files in My Documents) and reinstall. In CrossTrade you can use the Visibility Manager to hide accounts you don't want to see.

Why can't I hide more accounts in the Visibility Manager?

There is an internal limit on the number of accounts that can be hidden. If you're hitting it, contact support — the limit can be raised. If the Hide/Show column is pushed off-screen by a very long custom account name, use the horizontal scroll bar to reach it and hide the account.

I just created a new simulation account — why doesn't it work?

NinjaTrader requires a restart before a newly created account starts passing through its event system. Until you restart NT8, CrossTrade and the Trade Copier cannot see orders or positions from that new account. Restart NT8 and reconnect the data feed, then test with a manual order from the CrossTrade dashboard.

Can I use CrossTrade with Tradovate Web, NinjaTrader Web, or CFD accounts?

CrossTrade supports both NinjaTrader 8 and direct Tradovate execution. Link a Tradovate Live or Demo identity in My Account > Brokers and use destination=tradovate; direct Tradovate requires no NT8 or Add-On. Prop-firm accounts normally live in Tradovate Demo even after funding. CFD accounts remain NT8-only and must be valid instruments on an NT8-connected broker.

Does the Trade Copier work with prop firm accounts?

Yes, with destination-specific requirements. The NT8 Trade Copier supports SIM, live, evaluation, and funded accounts, but its leader and followers must all be connected to the same NT8 instance; remote copying between NT8 installations is not supported. The direct Tradovate Trade Copier runs server-side between linked Tradovate accounts with no NT8 or Add-On; signal mode is generally available, and fill-driven execution mode is in beta.

Are prop firm evaluations allowed to use CrossTrade?

CrossTrade has never seen anyone get flagged for using it on a prop account, and users run it across Apex, Topstep, BluSky, Bulenox, TPT, Tradeify, and others. However, rules vary by firm — you must research each firm's automation and copy-trading policies. CrossTrade does not publish "best settings" for prop accounts because rules differ so much.

Does CrossTrade make orders look manual to the prop firm?

The two destinations differ. NT8 orders use the NT8 SDK and the NT8 Trade Copier offers its own Stealth Mode. Direct Tradovate orders are API orders and CrossTrade sets isAutomated=true as required by the exchange; they should not be represented as manual orders. No setting can override a prop firm's rules, so verify automation and copy-trading policies with the firm.

Does stealth mode work for all automations?

Stealth behavior is destination-specific. The NT8 Trade Copier has a Stealth Mode setting. Direct Tradovate orders must carry isAutomated=true; the Tradovate copier's Stealth option suppresses copy text/tags but does not disguise an automated order as manual.

Which prop firms recommend or support CrossTrade?

CrossTrade does not play favorites, but maintains a close relationship with BluSky (blusky.pro). Any NT8-compatible prop firm works. Always verify the firm's rules on automation and copy trading directly with them.

Apex: do I need Rithmic or Tradovate for my Apex account?

Both work with CrossTrade. Anecdotally, Tradovate feeds cause more connectivity issues than Rithmic feeds — but this is not confirmed. If you accidentally pick the wrong one when subscribing to Apex, you can still connect it to NT8 after signing the agreements and downloading the appropriate trader software.

Why does my Apex connection keep dropping?

APEX data feeds — particularly Tradovate-based ones — have been unstable for many users. When the NT8-to-prop connection drops, it does not always reconnect automatically. A restart of NT8 usually restores the connection. A stable Live data feed (for example, paying NT $12/mo for Live data and using it for all connections) is the most reliable setup on a VPS.

Topstep: why do I get "only one connection allowed" when running two strategies?

Rithmic only permits one live connection per provider per login. If both Topstep combines share the same Rithmic login credentials, you cannot connect them simultaneously. Either run two separate NT8 instances, or consolidate into a single connection.

TPT (TakeProfitTrader): what's the account name format?

TPT account names typically contain 7 digits. If you're getting "account not found," double-check you have all 7 — a single missing digit is the most common cause. Example formats include TAKEPROFIT344151699.

Can I use Tradovate as a data provider on CrossTrade VPS?

CrossTrade VPSes are designed to run the NT8 desktop software close to NT/Rithmic/CME servers in Chicago. Tradovate is a web API that can be accessed from anywhere, so it doesn't need a VPS for latency. If you use NT8 with Tradovate as the feed, a VPS still benefits you — but the VPS is serving NT8, not Tradovate itself.

Why is Tradovate rate-limiting me with a "p-ticket" error?

Tradovate enforces rate limits on API calls and order placements that are not fully published. The destination=tradovate route calls that API directly, and an NT8 connection backed by Tradovate can also encounter broker limits. Sending orders across many funded accounts can trigger them. Wait for the ticket to clear, reduce request fan-out, or contact Tradovate/your broker.

APEX blocked my order even though CrossTrade says "Success." Why?

When CrossTrade logs Success, it means the order was handed off to NT8 successfully. If the order did not execute, the block came from NT8 or the prop firm. Check the NT8 Control Center > Log tab. Reasons APEX or other prop firms reject include their own "order management system" rules, rate limits, position limits, or account-specific restrictions — you need to ask the prop firm directly what triggered the rejection.

Can CrossTrade block automation based on specific prop firm rules (like Apex 4:59 PM close)?

CrossTrade does not enforce prop-specific rules automatically, but you can configure Account Manager trading windows, auto-flattening, and closing-only modes to respect them. Refer to each firm's rulebook.

Can I prevent one account from going long while another account (same prop umbrella) is short the same instrument?

Not with a built-in setting. CrossTrade does not maintain a map of which accounts belong to which prop firm umbrellas. For a single account, see Exit Blocking / Strategy Synchronization. For cross-account hedging prevention, you would need to structure your alerts or account groups manually.

Can I run multiple strategies against the same instrument in one account?

Not recommended. If two strategies fire overlapping entries on the same symbol in the same account, you'll get order rejections ("order was rejected because there was currently an open position") or unintended position stacking. The guidance is one strategy per symbol per account — good trading hygiene.

Can I set separate profit/loss limits per ticker within a single account?

Not yet. Account Manager thresholds are account-based, not per-ticker. A hybrid mode for unrealized position-based P/L thresholds that stops the monitor on account-based P/L is planned.

Can I run different ATMs per account from a single alert?

No, there's no native mechanism in CrossTrade to say "Account1 gets ATM1, Account2 gets ATM2." You can work around this by sending two separate alerts, one per account/ATM pair, and using a delay_timer if a rate_limit would block the second alert.

How does P&L reporting work across accounts?

Account Manager reads P&L from the selected destination: NT8-loaded accounts report through the Add-On, while linked Tradovate accounts are monitored server-side. You can track realized, unrealized, or total (realized + unrealized) depending on your monitor configuration. On NT8 monitors, you can also enable commission inclusion in the config to factor fees into threshold triggers; Tradovate monitors do not include commission in their P&L calculation. The Dashboard grid currently displays Total P&L only; threshold evaluation uses whatever you selected in the config.

Unrealized mode vs. Realized mode vs. Hybrid mode — which stops the monitor?

Realized mode evaluates only the account's realized P&L after positions close; stops the monitor when the threshold trips. Unrealized mode evaluates real-time unrealized P&L; flattens the account when the threshold trips but does not stop the monitor. Block-signal behavior still applies per your settings. Hybrid mode (planned/rolling out) uses unrealized position-based P&L for triggering but still stops the monitor on account-based P&L. Choose based on whether you want to continue trading after a flatten event (unrealized) or fully lock down the account (realized).

Can I block all new trades on one account while keeping others active?

Yes. In Account Management, flip the Block Signals switch on that specific account. This blocks inbound webhooks for that account only. Note that Block Signals does not prevent manual NT8 trades or trade-copier-initiated orders on followers.

Can I disable signals via webhook command?

You can toggle the global kill switch via webhook (see Kill Switch in the docs), but there is no webhook command to block or unblock signals on a specific account — that is a dashboard-only control.

Closing-only mode: what does it do?

Closing Only blocks any new opening orders on that account but allows closing orders to pass through. Useful for letting a trade open during a session and run out afterward, still closing when your strategy says so. "Enhanced Closing Only" (gear icon on the Account Management page) also blocks manual trades from adding to the position.

Does Block Signals / Trading Window affect a pure NinjaScript (non-webhook) strategy?

No. Block Signals and trading windows apply only to automated trading actions from external sources via webhook. A NinjaScript strategy running directly inside NT8 is not affected. However, Profit/Loss thresholds in Account Manager do work locally against any NT8 activity, and the Trade Copier will still copy from a NinjaScript-driven leader account.

If I block signals on the leader, will the follower still copy?

No. If the leader doesn't receive the signal in the first place, the follower has nothing to copy. The block happens before NT8 and the Trade Copier ever see the order.

What is Tandem Mode on the Trade Copier?

Tandem Mode is an NT8 Trade Copier feature that links a follower to an Account Manager monitor. When enabled, the follower only copies while its monitor is active. Tandem Mode requires an Account Manager for that follower and is no longer on by default for new NT8 copiers. It does not apply to the direct Tradovate copier.

Why is my account showing "Inactive" even with no open positions?

The most common cause is the Require Clean Sessions safety check. If NT8 reports that a position was held across the session close (6 PM ET), the monitor switches to Inactive. You can disable this check in the monitor config — be aware of the implications documented there.

When does the session reset?

Account Management resets every day at 6 PM ET (session open). All times in the Account Manager are in New York time.

Can I run CrossTrade alongside Replikanto or another NinjaTrader copier?

Technically yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Running multiple copiers against the same accounts at the same time causes major conflicts — duplicate orders, fights over position state, and inconsistent behavior. CrossTrade support cannot diagnose issues with Replikanto or other third-party copiers. If you're comparing, run one at a time.

My trades copy slowly through Replikanto — can you help?

CrossTrade cannot troubleshoot Replikanto or other third-party copiers. Built-in copiers like Replikanto are known to be prone to performance issues. Try the CrossTrade Trade Copier for comparison.

Why is the copier closing the wrong quantity on fractional ratios (0.5x, etc.)?

This can happen when the same follower account is authorized on multiple data connections inside NT8 — a common NT8 setup issue, not specific to CrossTrade. Check that each account is on exactly one connection. Also verify you are not unknowingly running two copiers with the same follower.

Why does my Tradovate-sourced order ID not match the NT8 order ID?

Direct Tradovate order IDs are broker IDs and are not expected to match or appear in NT8. If you are instead using Tradovate as an NT8 data provider and NT8 cannot find the order, check multi-provider mode and confirm that the correct NT8 connection owns the account.

How do I get data for my strategy from CrossTrade?

Neither API surface provides historical or streaming market data. The NT8 /v1/api surface includes live-quote queries; the direct Tradovate /v1/api/tv surface exposes linked account, order, position, and fill state. For OHLC candles or bar data, use an external data source. When polling the NT8 /quote endpoint, query per instrument rather than per account.

Do I need to be logged into the CrossTrade web dashboard for trades to execute?

No. For the NT8 destination, trading works while NT8 is running and the CrossTrade NT8 Add-On is authenticated. Direct Tradovate trading runs server-side against your linked account, so NT8 and your computer can be off. The web dashboard only needs to be open for monitoring or configuration.

Why are my accounts only showing in card view but not table view?

This was a UI bug that has been patched. Hard refresh the page. If you have very long custom account names, they can push columns off-screen; scroll horizontally to access them.

Can charts be closed while CrossTrade is trading?

Yes. Charts do not need to be open for orders to execute. NT8 will continue to process orders and positions in the background.