CrossTrade VPS
CrossTrade VPS is Windows Server hosting built for running NinjaTrader and other trading tools 24/7 in the cloud. You get a dedicated server you access via Remote Desktop (RDP), so your strategies keep running even when your local machine is off. Plans are named for the processor and the vCPU count: EPYC 6, EPYC 12, RYZEN 6, RYZEN 8. This FAQ covers connection, sizing, pricing, multi-user access, and common operational questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a VPS to run NinjaTrader?
Not necessarily. For regular (non-automated, non-high-frequency) trading, running NT locally is usually fine. A VPS becomes valuable when you need 24/7 uptime for automated strategies, when you travel, or when your local hardware struggles with NT8's resource demands. CrossTrade does not push users into a VPS unless there's a real need for it.
What VPS plans does CrossTrade offer?
Four plans, each named for its processor and vCPU count. EPYC 6: 6 vCPU, 16 GB DDR4, 150 GB NVMe, 1 Gbps+ networking. EPYC 12: 12 vCPU, 32 GB DDR4, 300 GB NVMe, 1 Gbps+ networking. RYZEN 6: 6 vCPU, 16 GB DDR5, 150 GB NVMe, 3 Gbps+ networking. RYZEN 8: 8 vCPU, 32 GB DDR5, 300 GB NVMe, 3 Gbps+ networking. All four run Windows Server in Chicago with unmetered bandwidth and a 10 Gbps burst ceiling. The EPYC line is the value option on DDR4; the RYZEN line adds DDR5 memory and faster networking. RYZEN 6 is the recommended plan for most traders. Current pricing is at crosstrade.io/vps.
Smaller 4 vCPU / 8 GB plans were offered previously and have been retired. See "Why don't you offer a smaller, cheaper VPS?" below.
Why don't you offer a smaller, cheaper VPS?
We used to, and we stopped. After hosting hundreds of traders the pattern was always the same: NinjaTrader does not run well in a virtual machine below a certain amount of real hardware. The small servers looked fine on a spec sheet and then struggled the moment someone opened charts, added indicators, or started a second strategy. That is not something support can tune away, it is the size of the server.
CrossTrade would rather lose the sale than put a trader on a box that makes NinjaTrader feel broken, so the smallest plan sold is 6 vCPU with 16 GB of memory.
Should I pick an EPYC plan or a RYZEN plan?
They are two hardware lines, and the number in the name is the vCPU count either way. EPYC is DDR4 memory on 1 Gbps+ networking. It is the value pick and plenty for most setups. RYZEN is DDR5 memory on 3 Gbps+ networking, faster on both, which shows once you have charts open and several strategies running.
EPYC 6 and RYZEN 6 are the same 6 vCPU / 16 GB size, so the only difference between them is the memory and network grade. Same for EPYC 12 and RYZEN 8 at the larger size. RYZEN 6 is the recommended plan for most traders.
How do I access my VPS?
Your VPS lives in the cloud and is accessed with any Remote Desktop (RDP) client. Credentials (IP address, username, password) are on the VPS page in your CrossTrade dashboard at app.crosstrade.io/user/vps. A step-by-step connection guide is available at crosstrade.io/docs/getting-started/vps-connection-guide. RDP works from Windows, Mac, or mobile — if your client device has an RDP app, you can log into the VPS.
Is the VPS dedicated to me?
Yes. The server is yours and you have full administrative control over it. You can install software, change settings, modify firewall rules, add users, and reconfigure Windows as you would on any machine you own. The one exception is virtualization software, because nested virtualization is not supported on any plan.
Can I run virtual machines or Hyper-V on the VPS?
No. Nested virtualization is not supported on any CrossTrade VPS plan, in any form. That covers Hyper-V, VMware, VirtualBox, WSL2, Docker Desktop, Windows Sandbox, Android emulators, and anything else that needs a hypervisor running inside the server. Enabling the Windows feature will not make it work, support cannot turn it on for you, and no plan, tier, or add-on unlocks it.
This limit is published on the VPS page before purchase, so a VPS bought to run virtual machines is not grounds for a refund. If you need a host that can run nested VMs, buy from a provider that advertises it rather than a CrossTrade VPS.
How do I change the VPS password?
The password shown on the dashboard is a default so you can first log in. Once inside the VPS, change it like any Windows machine: Windows button > Search > change password. After you change it, not even CrossTrade can access the machine. You should also change the default password for security — CrossTrade technically knows the initial one since we assign it.
What Windows version do the VPS servers run?
Windows Server 2025. These builds are well-hardened out of the box, so you do not need a separate antivirus beyond Microsoft Defender. A VPN is not recommended either — it will only choke bandwidth to and from the server.
How quickly is the VPS available after purchase?
Every plan is pre-provisioned, so servers are normally available within minutes of purchase. You'll receive an email with your RDP login details once the server is ready, and worst case is under an hour. If you see existing uptime or disk usage on a brand new VPS, that's just the general uptime/usage since the server completed provisioning.
Can I use a VPS purchased on Mac?
Yes. A VPS lives in the cloud, so all you need is a Remote Desktop client on your Mac to connect to it. The host OS on your local device doesn't matter.
Can I log into my VPS from multiple devices?
You can install the RDP client on as many devices as you want (laptop, desktop, phone), but by default Windows Server 2025 allows only 2 concurrent RDP sessions. Connecting from a different device generally replaces the current session.
If you need more simultaneous users, you have admin access to raise the RDP concurrent-connection limit and add Windows user accounts. CrossTrade does not impose artificial limits on monitors or connected users — capacity is bounded by the server's CPU and RAM.
Can I run CrossTrade on my VPS instead of my local PC?
Yes. A single CrossTrade license can be moved to the VPS — you just can't have the add-on running in two places at once. Running two copies (e.g., local and VPS both connected to the same feed) causes it to oscillate between connected and disconnected states.
Can I shut down the VPS to save resources?
You can, but there's no need — VPS are meant to run continuously. The Dashboard exposes a Reboot button that handles both Start and Restart depending on the current state. If the VPS is off, clicking Reboot powers it on.
Can I reset or rebuild my VPS?
Yes. You can reboot from the Dashboard. If you need a full OS reinstall, use the Rebuild button on the VPS Dashboard — this wipes the server completely and reinstalls the OS. All data is lost, so back up anything important first.
If your VPS is decommissioned (e.g., subscription lapses), CrossTrade cannot recover the data. You're welcome to repurchase the same plan, but the old contents are gone.
Can you clone my VPS or migrate my data for me?
No. CrossTrade cannot clone a user's VPS image onto another server, and the team cannot perform data transfers on your behalf. Support can guide you through a migration, but the work happens through your admin access to the VPS.
Can I upgrade to a bigger VPS later?
Yes. You can upgrade to a new server class at any time. EPYC 6 steps up to EPYC 12, and RYZEN 6 steps up to RYZEN 8. You can also cross from the EPYC line to the RYZEN line. The upgrade requires a restart post-purchase, which happens immediately. Downgrades are not possible once resources have been allocated and the disk expanded.
How fast is the network on the VPS plans?
EPYC plans run 1 Gbps+ and RYZEN plans run 3 Gbps+, and both burst up to 10 Gbps when the pipe is not starved. Bandwidth is unmetered on every plan. Bandwidth is not the same thing as latency, so see the performance and latency FAQ for the difference.
Can I move files to and from the VPS?
Yes. Port 22 is not blocked on any of the servers, so file transfers work freely. For private communication between multiple publicly accessible machines, the infrastructure team suggests using Tailscale.
Are VPS plans part of the affiliate program?
VPS are not currently included in the CrossTrade affiliate program. The team plans to add VPS to the affiliate program in the future.
My VPS feels slow — what should I check?
"Slow" usually traces back to one of three things. Your local internet or RDP client — the perceived speed of the remote desktop depends heavily on your home connection; CrossTrade can verify the server's hardware is healthy, but latency inside the RDP session itself is driven by your local network. CPU-heavy apps running together — tools like NinjaTrader, Claude Code/Claude Desktop, and trade-copy bots are all CPU-intensive; running all three on a 6 vCPU plan will push sustained CPU usage past 60% with 85%+ peaks, which feels sluggish. VPS cores behave differently from a desktop's single-thread clocks, so comparing them 1:1 is misleading. Disk fill / modified partitions — if the primary partition has been shrunk or filled (EPYC 6 and RYZEN 6 ship with a 150 GB disk), NinjaTrader will start throwing errors like "free up storage space." Check C: free space if NT is misbehaving.
Close anything you're not actively using, disable background Windows updates and antivirus scans, and step up to EPYC 12 or RYZEN 8 if sustained CPU usage stays high.
My NinjaTrader keeps getting 'ATI interface disabled' — what do I do?
Enable the Automated Trading Interface inside NT8: Tools > Options > Automated Trading Interface, check the box for AT Interface. Then restart NT8 and log back in. If the message keeps locking the VPS after enabling ATI, the issue is likely your local RDP client freezing rather than the VPS itself — try reconnecting from a different device or client to confirm.
What's the recommended NT8 hygiene on a VPS?
For smooth operation, run NT8 without charts where possible, do daily restarts, and periodically repair/reset the database. There's a full optimization guide in the CrossTrade docs. Treat Windows Updates like on any machine — restart after updates and turn off auto-updating in Windows settings to avoid surprise reboots.
I bought a cheap VPS elsewhere and it's unstable. Is that the problem?
Very likely. Low-cost VPS providers often run 10–15 year old hardware that simply isn't powerful enough to run NT8 reliably. That underpowered hardware — not your trading setup — is usually the source of constant disconnects and freezes.