Your prop firm just sent you your login. Now it's time to get your account set up in NinjaTrader. This guide walks you through every step to help you get ready to trade with confidence from day one.
New to prop trading? Start with the beginner's guide to prop trading before diving in here.
Simulated trading does not represent actual trading and is based on hypothetical conditions. Actual trading results may differ significantly due to factors such as market conditions, liquidity, execution, and the emotional and psychological impact of risking real money. Simulated trading is provided for educational and platform-familiarization purposes only and should not be relied upon as an indication or expectation of results in a live trading environment.
What to have ready before you begin
Before you start, make sure you have your prop firm login credentials handy, have a supported web browser ready, and know which data provider your firm uses. NinjaTrader Web doesn't require a separate download or installation—you connect through your NinjaTrader account login. You can find your login details in your prop firm's onboarding email or by contacting support.
For a broader walkthrough of the connection process, see our guide to connecting NinjaTrader to your prop firm.
Adding your evaluation account in NinjaTrader Web
NinjaTrader Web's account setup is built around a single account login rather than a multi-step connection process, making it a fast way to get trading from any supported browser.
Whether you're connecting your first evaluation or your fifth, the process is consistent.
Step-by-step account access walkthrough
- Log in to NinjaTrader Web: Go to account.ninjatrader.com (or ninjatrader.com) and sign in with your prop-firm provided NT account credentials. NinjaTrader Web doesn't have a separate linking step, so your prop firm credentials are your NinjaTrader Web login, and this is the same login used across NinjaTrader Desktop, Web, and Mobile.
- Launch the Web platform: Select "Trade" (or the equivalent launch option) to open NinjaTrader Web in your browser.
- Confirm account visibility: Use the Account dropdown in the top navigation bar to switch to your evaluation account and confirm it appears with the expected balance.
About data providers on NinjaTrader Web
NinjaTrader Web connects through a single built-in NinjaTrader/Tradovate account link rather than a list of third-party data providers. There's no separate provider-selection step, and this is the same experience across every prop firm partner.
Once your evaluation account appears in the Account dropdown with the expected balance, you're connected and ready to trade—no separate provider setup required. Next, configure the platform to match how you plan to trade during the evaluation.
Configuring account settings
With your evaluation account connected, the next step is configuring NinjaTrader Web to reflect how you intend to trade. These settings affect order entry, account targeting, and what you see on screen during active sessions.
Default quantity and order type preferences
Set your trade size and order type: In the DOM (trading ladder) or Chart module, set your quantity, advanced trade management (ATM) strategy, and order type as you trade. NinjaTrader Web doesn't have a dedicated defaults setting, but it does carry over your last-used quantity, ATM selection, and time-in-force (TIF) the next time you open the platform; though browser settings, cache clearing, and browser optimizations can reset this, so don't rely on it holding permanently. Many traders use the minimum allowable size under their firm's rules.
Confirm TIF behavior: Check your order's TIF setting against how your firm handles open orders at session end; some firms require all positions to be flat before close.
Account selection defaults across modules
Before placing your first evaluation trade, confirm your evaluation account is selected in the top navigation bar's Account dropdown. This is the only place you select an account on NinjaTrader Web; modules don't have their own separate account selector, so there's no risk of different modules pointing at different accounts.
Display preferences and risk visibility
Enable Risk Settings: If your NinjaTrader Prop setup includes Risk Settings (daily/weekly loss limits, profit targets, and trailing max drawdown), confirm they're configured—these are enforced at the account level and apply the same way across NinjaTrader Web, Desktop, and Mobile. Use the Risk Settings Lock to pre-configure and lock these values before your first session, preventing changes to your limits, targets, and drawdowns mid-evaluation.
Monitor account performance: Use the Account info module and Margin report to view real-time P&L, drawdown status, and balance; add these to your workspace layout so they stay visible.
With your order defaults, account selection, and risk controls in place, NinjaTrader Web is set up to trade the way you intend. The last step before your first order is making sure those settings line up with the exact parameters your prop firm assigned.
Verifying your account parameters
NinjaTrader supports prop firm evaluation accounts from multiple providers, allowing traders to verify their account size, trailing drawdown limits, and buying power directly within the platform before the evaluation begins.
Before your first trade, take a moment to confirm your account values match what your prop firm sent you. It's a quick check that can save you headaches later.
Confirming account size, buying power, and drawdown limits
- Open your account details: To view your evaluation account, use the Account dropdown in the top navigation bar, or add the Account info module to your layout.
- Check account balance and buying power: Confirm these values match the evaluation parameters specified in your prop firm's enrollment documentation (e.g., a $50,000 evaluation account should show the corresponding starting balance or buying power).
- Note the drawdown thresholds: Check the Margin report or Account info module for trailing drawdown limits, and compare what's displayed against the firm's stated rules.
If there's a discrepancy, contact your prop firm's support team before trading. Do not assume a number is correct if it doesn't match your enrollment terms.
Cross-checking evaluation rules with what appears in-platform
Prop firm evaluation configuration in NinjaTrader Web includes verifying displayed buying power, confirming drawdown thresholds match firm rules, and reviewing workspace layout before the first live evaluation session.
Keep a copy of your firm's evaluation rules open alongside NinjaTrader Web during this step. Check each of the following:
- Daily loss limit: Does the in-platform P&L tracking align with your firm's daily loss cap?
- Trailing drawdown: Is the displayed drawdown threshold consistent with the firm's trailing or end-of-day calculation method?
- Maximum position size: Does your default quantity reflect the maximum contract limit permitted under the evaluation rules?
- Tradeable instruments: Are the instruments you intend to trade available and active under your evaluation account?
For more on the psychological side of staying within evaluation parameters, our funding mindset guide covers how to manage capital and maintain discipline throughout the evaluation process.
Once every in-platform value matches your firm's documentation, your evaluation account is correctly configured and ready for the next step.
Setting up your workspace for the evaluation
NinjaTrader Prop is built around customizable, savable layouts—TradingView charts, order entry (DOM or Chart Trader), live market depth, account and risk info, and more—that you can arrange to fit how you trade. A well-organized setup puts your charts, order entry, and performance data where you need them and can help reduce friction when it matters most.
For the full rundown of what's included, see the NinjaTrader Prop platform overview and our top tech tools for prop traders guide. For a deeper walkthrough of configuring your layout, see our workspace setup guide for prop firm evaluations.
Having your workspace dialed in before evaluation day means fewer surprises when the market is moving and every second counts.
7 things to check before placing your first trade
Run through this seven-step checklist before your first session. It takes just a few minutes and can help you make sure you're ready to trade.
- Evaluation account is active: Log in to your prop firm's portal and confirm the evaluation is open and in good standing.
- Account is linked and visible: Your evaluation account appears in NinjaTrader Web's Account dropdown with the expected balance.
- Correct account is selected: Your evaluation account is active across your Web layout's modules.
- Buying power and drawdown confirmed: In-platform values match your firm's enrollment documentation.
- Trade size is correct: Your order size reflects the contract limit appropriate for your evaluation.
- Risk controls are visible: Risk Settings and your Risk Settings Lock are configured and visible on your workspace.
- Bracket orders or SL/TP are set: If you're using bracket orders, confirm they're configured correctly before entering a position.
Running this check before every session can help keep your evaluation on track and your risk controls working as intended.
For a broader look at the mechanics behind evaluations and funded accounts, our blog on what prop trading is and how it works covers the full picture. Looking for a prop firm? Check out the NinjaTrader prop firm directory to get started.
FAQs on setting up your evaluation account in NinjaTrader Web
How do I know my evaluation account is connected correctly in NinjaTrader Web?
Your evaluation account is connected correctly when it appears in the Account dropdown with the expected balance and buying power. If it doesn't appear, or the balance looks wrong, log out and back in, verify your credentials, and confirm the evaluation account is still active in your prop firm's portal.
Can I set up evaluation accounts from multiple prop firms in NinjaTrader Web at the same time?
Yes. NinjaTrader Web supports multiple accounts under a single login, and you can switch between them using the Account dropdown without reconfiguring your workspace. Stick with the platform and tools you already know, even when working with a new prop firm.
Why does my evaluation account show different buying power than what my prop firm listed?
Buying power displayed in NinjaTrader reflects what your data provider reports at the account level, which may be calculated differently than the nominal account size listed in your firm's enrollment documentation. Some firms use a margin-based buying power calculation that differs from the stated account balance. If the values seem significantly off, contact your prop firm directly to clarify how they calculate and report buying power to the platform before placing any trades.