Most traders setting up NinjaTrader Prop go looking for the right settings, the right indicators, the right strategy.
Not many think twice about the data feed—until it doesn't work, and suddenly nothing else does, either.
A data feed is a live connection to market data that powers everything in NinjaTrader: real-time charts, order routing, account visibility, depth of market. It's not a feature you turn on—it's the foundation the whole platform runs on. For prop firm traders specifically, it's also something you don't get to pick; your firm assigns it.
This guide explains what that means, how Rithmic works as NinjaTrader's primary prop firm data feed, and how to get connected without the guesswork.
A data feed is the pipeline that delivers real-time and historical market data directly into your trading platform. In NinjaTrader, the data feed is responsible for everything you see and do while you trade: price quotes, depth of market, chart bars, account balances, and order execution.
Think of it as the internet connection for your trading—without it, the platform is dark.
For prop firm traders, data feeds have an added layer of importance. Because prop firms are funding your account and routing your orders through their infrastructure, they contract with a specific data provider. That provider's feed is what NinjaTrader connects to when you log in.
This means your data feed isn't just a technical setting—it's the backbone of the entire trader-to-firm relationship.
If you're new to how any of this works, what is prop trading and how does it work is a good place to start.
Prop traders using NinjaTrader do not select their own data feed. It's assigned by the prop firm at account creation and, in most cases, cannot be changed after signup.
In short, the data feed is less a setting you configure and more a condition of which firm you trade with—which makes choosing the right firm the real first decision.
When you open an account with a NinjaTrader-compatible prop firm, your connection to the platform runs through the data provider your firm has contracted with, not one you select independently.
NinjaTrader supports Rithmic as the primary data feed for prop firm traders. Rithmic is a professional-grade futures data and order routing platform used by most of the major prop firms in the industry.
NinjaTrader also supports other data connections for self-funded traders, but for prop firm trading, Rithmic is the standard. Check the NinjaTrader prop firm directory to confirm which connection your firm uses before getting started.
For most prop firm traders, the data feed question has one answer: Rithmic. The sections below explain how it works, which firms use it, and how to connect.
Rithmic is a professional futures data and order routing platform that delivers tick-by-tick market data, full depth of market, and direct order routing to the exchanges. It's the most widely used data feed in the futures prop trading space, providing the infrastructure that prop firms rely on to run evaluation and funded trader accounts at scale.
| Provider type | Professional futures data and order routing platform |
| Market prevalence | Most widely used data feed in the futures prop trading space |
| How to connect | Via the Rithmic connection in NinjaTrader's Connections menu |
| Credential source | Your prop firm provides login details after account activation |
| Evaluation accounts | Use the Rithmic Evaluation Service connection—separate server settings apply |
| Setup guides | Connecting to your Rithmic data connection · Connecting to evaluation services via Rithmic |
Visit the NinjaTrader prop firm directory to see the full list of compatible firms and confirm which data feed each one uses.
Your access to Rithmic comes through your prop firm, not directly through Rithmic—so you must have an active account before attempting to connect. Once your account is activated, your firm will send you login credentials specific to that account. Use those credentials and nothing else—not demo logins, not credentials from another account.
One important distinction: Evaluation accounts and funded accounts use different Rithmic connections in NinjaTrader, with different server settings. Make sure you're using the right one for your account stage.
Before you connect: Wait for your firm's activation email before attempting to log in. Connecting before your account is live produces a failed login—not a connection error—which can be easy to misdiagnose.
Rithmic is purpose-built for the kind of high-speed, low-latency futures trading that prop firms demand, which is why it's become the standard connection for this space.
The fastest way to confirm which data feed a firm uses is the NinjaTrader prop firm directory. Each listing includes the supported data feed alongside account details, challenge structures, and payout terms. Use this as your first step—ideally before you purchase an evaluation—so you know exactly what to expect at setup.
You can also check directly with your firm's support team or review the onboarding documentation they send when your account is created. The credential email your firm sends after activation will typically specify which connection type to use and at which server to point NinjaTrader.
For a broader look at how the platform works and what to expect as a prop trader, the NinjaTrader Prop platform overview covers the full picture.
First step: Before purchasing an evaluation, check our prop firm directory to confirm which data feed a firm uses and whether it's the right fit for your setup.
Either way, confirming your firm's data feed before you sign up takes a few minutes and can save you from troubleshooting a connection issue that was never really a technical problem.
Once you have your credentials from your prop firm, connecting NinjaTrader to Rithmic takes just a few steps. The most important thing is to use the exact credentials your firm provided and to select the correct connection type for your account stage—evaluation or funded.
If you're brand new to the platform, this beginner's guide to prop trading walks through the broader setup process before you get to this point.
Open NinjaTrader
Launch the NinjaTrader desktop application. If you haven't installed it yet, start at the NinjaTrader Prop platform page.
Go to Connections
In the NinjaTrader Control Center, click the Connections menu at the top of the screen.
Select Configure
Click Configure to open the connection configuration panel where you can add and manage your connections.
Choose Rithmic
Select Rithmic from the list of available connections. If you're in an evaluation, look for the Rithmic Evaluation Service option—it uses separate server settings.
Enter your firm-provided credentials
Input the username and password your prop firm sent you. Use only the credentials issued for your active account—do not use demo credentials or generic Rithmic login details.
Click OK and connect
Save your configuration and click Connect. A green status indicator in the Control Center confirms a successful connection.
For a deeper look at the platform tools available once you're connected, see top tech tools and platform features for prop traders.
Once connected, your NinjaTrader platform will sync to your account in real time—at that point, you're ready to trade.
A data feed in NinjaTrader is a live connection to market data that powers real-time charting, order routing, and account visibility. Without an active data feed connection, none of these functions work. For prop firm traders, the data feed is provided through the data provider your firm contracts with—in most cases, Rithmic.
Rithmic is a professional futures data and order routing platform. It delivers tick-by-tick market data, depth of market, and direct order routing to the exchanges. Rithmic is the most widely used data feed in the futures prop trading space.
No. The data feed in NinjaTrader is determined by your prop firm, not by you. When you open an account with a prop firm, you are assigned to the firm's data provider at account creation. In most cases, you cannot change your data feed after signing up. Use our prop firm directory to find a firm whose setup matches what you need before you commit.
No. When you trade through a prop firm, your Rithmic data feed access is included as part of your account relationship with that firm. You do not purchase a separate Rithmic subscription. The firm handles the data provider relationship, and you connect using the credentials they supply.
Yes. NinjaTrader has a separate Rithmic Evaluation Service connection for traders in evaluation periods. This connection uses different server settings than a live funded account. If you are in an evaluation, use the evaluation service connection and follow NinjaTrader's evaluation services connection guide—not the standard Rithmic connection guide.
If your data feed disconnects while you have open positions, NinjaTrader will attempt to reconnect automatically. Your orders remain active at the exchange regardless of your platform connection status—they are not canceled by a disconnection. Note: Platform-managed features such as ATM strategies, automated trailing stops, and OCO orders require an active platform connection to remain in effect. If you use these, treat any disconnection as an active risk event and verify your positions immediately upon reconnecting.
Once reconnected, the platform syncs back to your current account state. If you experience persistent connection issues, contact your prop firm's support team or NinjaTrader Support, depending on whether the issue appears to be at the firm/data level or the platform level.
The quickest way is to check the NinjaTrader prop firm directory, which lists each firm's supported data feed alongside other account details. You can also check your firm's onboarding documentation or ask their support team directly. The credential email you receive when your account is activated will typically indicate the connection type and server to use.
NinjaTrader supports multiple connection profiles, so you can configure several Rithmic connections within the same installation—one for each account. You switch between them using the Connections menu. Each account uses its own firm-issued credentials. Check with your individual prop firms on any rules around concurrent trading across multiple accounts.
