Accounts & Prop Firms

CrossTrade works with any NinjaTrader 8 account — simulation, live brokerage, and prop-firm funded or evaluation accounts. This page covers how to select accounts in payloads, run multiple accounts simultaneously, work with specific prop firms, and avoid conflicts with third-party copiers.

Does CrossTrade charge per account or connection?

No. CrossTrade does not charge per account or per connection. Any accounts that are connected to your NinjaTrader 8 can be used — Apex, Topstep, Tradovate, TPT, Bulenox, BluSky, Tradeify, etc. — as many as you need.

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

Use the account= parameter in your payload. The account name must match exactly what NinjaTrader reports — NT8 account names go up to the exclamation point if one exists (for example BX12345-01, not BX12345-01!). If your account has an alias (like Sim101), use the actual underlying account name (for example DEMO6453xx), not the alias.

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 for examples and Account Cycling which integrates with the NT Account Manager.

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

NinjaTrader only lists accounts whose data feeds are currently connected. If an account is missing from CrossTrade's dropdown or a webhook returns Account 'X' not found, the feed for that account is almost certainly not connected. Enable multi-provider mode in NT8, connect the correct feed for each account, and confirm the account shows up in the NT8 Control Center > Accounts tab.

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

Enable multi-provider mode in NinjaTrader. See 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 here 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?

Yes, Account Management currently supports up to 100 accounts. Several users have reached that number.

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 works exclusively with the NinjaTrader 8 desktop platform. Tradovate and NinjaTrader Web are separate products — CrossTrade cannot communicate with them directly, even though NinjaTrader owns Tradovate. If your prop firm does not offer NT8, CrossTrade cannot be used with that account. CFD accounts can work if they are a valid NT8 instrument and connected through NT8.

Does the Trade Copier work with prop firm accounts?

Yes. The Trade Copier copies trades between any accounts connected to your NT8 — SIM, live, evaluation, or funded. There are no restrictions on account types, but all accounts (leader and followers) must be connected to the same NT8 instance. Remote copying between separate NT8 installations is not currently supported.

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?

CrossTrade uses the NT8 SDK, which submits orders the same way NT8 itself does when you click manually. The Trade Copier also has a Stealth Mode switch (enabled by default for webhooks) that masks automation. See Stealth Mode. Automated order flow sent directly through the Tradovate Web API can be detected, which is why CrossTrade uses NT8. No guarantees — but the behavior is indistinguishable from manual NT8 trading.

Does stealth mode work for all automations?

All automations arriving through your webhook are stealth by default. The Trade Copier operates differently because it has to track orders between accounts, so it has its own Stealth Mode toggle in the copier settings.

Which prop firms recommend or support CrossTrade?

CrossTrade does not play favorites, but maintains a close relationship with BluSky. 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 directly published. Sending orders to many Tradovate-connected accounts in quick succession (for example, one order replicated across 10 funded accounts) can trigger these limits. CrossTrade does not call the Tradovate API directly — it only talks to NT8 — so the limit is set and enforced by Tradovate. See Understanding Tradovate API Rate Limits. The only remedy is to wait the ticket 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. See Auto-Flattening and refer to each firm's rulebook, for example Apex's early close instruments.

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?

All P&L values in the CrossTrade Account Manager come directly from NT8 — CrossTrade does not calculate anything. You can track realized, unrealized, or total (realized + unrealized) depending on your monitor configuration. Enable commission inclusion in the config to factor fees into threshold triggers. 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), 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 links a copier follower to an Account Manager monitor. When enabled, the follower only copies trades if its Account Manager monitor is active. If the monitor is stopped (for example, because the leader hit its daily profit/loss threshold), copies to that follower are blocked. Tandem Mode requires an Account Manager to exist for that follower account. Tandem Mode is no longer on by default for new copiers.

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. See Require Clean Sessions. 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?

Tradovate-issued IDs differ from NT8's internal order IDs. If CrossTrade returns an order ID but NT8 cannot find it through the API, this is often a symptom of a multi-provider mode misconfiguration — enable multi-provider mode and make sure the correct connection is used for that account.

How do I get data for my strategy from CrossTrade?

The CrossTrade API is for order execution and position management, plus live-quote queries. It does not provide historical or streaming market data. For OHLC candles or bar data, use an external data source. When polling /quote, only query per instrument, not per account — querying the same instrument across multiple accounts just multiplies work.

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

No. Trading works as long as NT8 is running and authenticated with CrossTrade. The web dashboard only needs to be open for monitoring or configuration. If you have multiple CrossTrade subscriptions, each browser session can only be logged into one at a time — use a second browser or an incognito window to monitor a second account.

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.