Apex Trader Funding Tradovate setup: how to log in, activate your account, and start trading.
A verified step-by-step guide to the Apex Trader Funding Tradovate setup process, covering direct platform login, data agreement activation, account access, and the optional NinjaTrader connection path.
Before you start: what you need
The Tradovate setup process is shorter than the Rithmic path because it requires no separate data feed installation. You do not need RTrader Pro. You do not need a Rithmic account. Everything connects directly through the Tradovate platform using credentials provided by Apex.
Your Tradovate credentials are different from Rithmic credentials. If you have used both platforms with Apex, make sure you are using the Tradovate set. Both are available in the same Apex dashboard but are listed separately.
Trade directly on Tradovate
Browser-based or desktop Tradovate platform. No additional software required. Works on Mac and Windows. Covers most traders.
Connect via NinjaTrader 8
Uses NinjaTrader's charting and order entry with your Tradovate account as the connection. Requires NinjaTrader installation and configuration.
| Factor | Direct Tradovate | Tradovate via NinjaTrader |
|---|---|---|
| Additional software needed | None | NinjaTrader 8 download required |
| Mac compatible | Yes (browser) | No (NinjaTrader is Windows only) |
| Setup time | 5 to 10 min | 15 to 20 min |
| Charting tools | Tradovate native charts | NinjaTrader charts |
| Order entry | Tradovate order panel | NinjaTrader Chart Trader |
| Apex rules and drawdown | Identical | Identical |
Path A: trading directly on Tradovate
This is the simpler and more widely used path for Apex Tradovate traders. It uses the Tradovate web platform at trader.tradovate.com or the downloadable Tradovate desktop application. The desktop application is available at tradovate.com/download and installs on both Windows and Mac. No third-party software is required for either option.
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1
Go to trader.tradovate.com using a desktop browser
Open Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on a desktop or laptop computer. Do not use the Tradovate mobile app for the initial setup. Navigate to trader.tradovate.com.
⚠ Do not use the mobile app for initial account setup. Use a desktop browser only. The mobile app can be used for trading after the account is fully set up. -
2
Log in with your Apex Tradovate credentials
Enter the Tradovate username and password from your Apex welcome email or from your Apex dashboard under the Tradovate section. Copy and paste the credentials exactly with no spaces before or after either field.
⚠ Do not add spaces before or after your username or password. Extra spaces are the most common cause of login failures on Tradovate. -
3
Fill out your information and sign the data agreements
Complete the required fields with your personal information. Read and sign the data agreements presented. You must complete this step before market data activates on your account.
ⓘ Live market data takes between 10 and 90 minutes to activate after signing the agreements. Do not contact Apex support about missing live data until at least 90 minutes have passed. -
4
Select NON-PROFESSIONAL when prompted
You will be asked to classify yourself for data purposes. Select NON-PROFESSIONAL unless you are a licensed financial professional, work at a financial institution, or trade on behalf of a third party. Most retail traders select NON-PROFESSIONAL.
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5
Find your accounts under the Simulation section and click Launch
After signing in and completing the agreements, navigate to the Simulation section of the Tradovate dashboard. Your Apex evaluation account will appear here. Click Launch to open the trading dashboard.
⚠ Your account is under Simulation, not Live. This is correct and expected. All Apex accounts operate in simulation mode using virtual funds. Do not look under Live accounts. -
6
Verify your account balance and begin trading
Confirm your account balance matches your account size ($25K, $50K, $100K, or $150K). If your balance is correct and market data has activated, your account is ready to trade. Keep the Tradovate dashboard open during all trading sessions to monitor your trailing drawdown threshold in real time.
ⓘ The auto-liquidation threshold shown in your Tradovate dashboard reflects your trailing max drawdown. Monitor it throughout every session. If you disconnect, Tradovate will liquidate positions automatically if the threshold is approached.
Path B: connecting your Tradovate account to NinjaTrader 8
If you prefer NinjaTrader's charting and order entry interface, you can connect your Apex Tradovate account to NinjaTrader 8. This path requires completing Path A first: your Tradovate account must be set up, agreements signed, and data activated before connecting via NinjaTrader.
Step 1: Create a NinjaTrader account and download the platform
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1
Go to ninjatrader.com and click Open Account
Navigate to ninjatrader.com and click Open Account. Enter your email address. You will receive an activation link in your inbox.
ⓘ If you receive a message that your email is already in use, use a different email address to register. Your NinjaTrader account credentials are separate from your Tradovate credentials. -
2
Click the activation link in the email
Open your inbox and click the activation link sent by NinjaTrader to verify your email and activate the account.
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3
Click "Try risk-free simulated trading" and complete the form
After logging in to the NinjaTrader dashboard, click Try risk-free simulated trading. Fill in the required information. If a dialog asks you to choose between Desktop or Web, close it with the X button.
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4
Set Symbology Display Style to Numeric before downloading
Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the NinjaTrader dashboard. Select Settings, then Preferences. Under Symbology Display Style, select Numeric and save. This prevents the "Input string was not in a correct format" error that affects some traders after installing NinjaTrader.
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5
Download and install the Most Recent Release of NinjaTrader
From the NinjaTrader dashboard, click the Download button and select the Most Recent Release. Run the installer and complete the installation.
Step 2: Configure NinjaTrader and connect to Tradovate
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6
Open NinjaTrader and log in with your NinjaTrader credentials
Launch NinjaTrader and enter the username and password from your NinjaTrader account. These are not your Tradovate credentials.
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7
Select Simulation if the Live or Simulation dialog appears
Apex accounts operate exclusively in simulation mode. Always select Simulation if this dialog appears.
⚠ Never select Live for an Apex account. Selecting Live will not connect correctly to your Apex evaluation. -
8
Enable Multi-Provider: Tools → Options → General
In the NinjaTrader Control Center, go to Tools, then Options, then General. Check the Multi-provider box. Click Apply then OK. Restart NinjaTrader to apply the changes.
ⓘ Multi-Provider must be enabled before adding the Tradovate connection. If you skip this step, NinjaTrader may not display the connection option in the list. -
9
Go to Connections → Configure, click Add, select NinjaTrader
After restarting, go to Connections in the NinjaTrader Control Center, then Configure. In the Available list, select NinjaTrader and click Add.
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10
Enter your Tradovate credentials in the Properties section
In the Properties section, enter your Tradovate username and password from your Apex dashboard. These are the same credentials you used to log in to trader.tradovate.com in Path A. Click Apply then OK.
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11
Go to Connections and select the connection you just created
In the Connections menu, select the NinjaTrader connection you configured. Your Tradovate accounts will load within NinjaTrader. Confirm your Apex evaluation account appears in the account selector before placing any orders.
Important: how the trailing drawdown works differently on Tradovate
On Tradovate evaluations, the trailing drawdown threshold does not lock at any point. It continues to trail upward for the entire life of the account, including after you reach the profit target balance. On Rithmic and WealthCharts evaluations, the threshold locks permanently once it reaches the profit target balance.
In practice: a $50K Tradovate evaluation that has built $4,000 in profit has a threshold at $52,000, and that threshold will continue rising if additional profit is made. A $50K Rithmic evaluation at the same profit level has already locked its threshold at $53,000 (the profit target balance) and the threshold no longer moves regardless of further gains.
This means Tradovate evaluation traders who hold large open positions after reaching the profit target carry more threshold risk than Rithmic evaluation traders at the same profit level. Unrealized gains from open positions can raise the Tradovate threshold, and a reversal before closing can leave the floor elevated.
The full mechanics of this difference, including worked examples, are covered in the Apex profit target article and the Apex EOD vs Intraday guide.
Verifying your Tradovate connection is working
Keep the Tradovate dashboard open throughout every trading session. It shows your real-time trailing drawdown threshold and acts as a backup mechanism for closing trades if NinjaTrader disconnects. If the connection drops while you have open positions, Tradovate will manage the auto-liquidation process automatically based on your threshold level.
Common Tradovate setup issues and how to fix them
Cannot log in to Tradovate with Apex credentials
First check: are you copying credentials from the Apex dashboard with no extra spaces before or after the username and password? Both fields are space-sensitive. Confirm you are using Tradovate credentials and not Rithmic credentials. If the account was created recently, wait up to six hours and try again. If the issue persists, submit a help desk ticket at helpdesk.apextraderfunding.com.
Account not appearing after login
Navigate specifically to the Simulation section of the Tradovate dashboard. Apex accounts are always in Simulation, never in Live. If you are looking under Live accounts you will not find your Apex evaluation. Click Launch next to your account name in the Simulation section.
No live market data after signing agreements
Data activation takes between 10 and 90 minutes after signing the data agreements. Do not submit a support ticket about missing data until at least 90 minutes have passed. If data is still not active after 90 minutes, contact Apex support.
"Input string was not in a correct format" error in NinjaTrader
This is caused by the Symbology Display Style setting. Fix: log in to your NinjaTrader online dashboard, go to Settings, Preferences, and change Symbology Display Style to Numeric. Save, close NinjaTrader completely, and restart. Reconnect to your Tradovate account. The error should not reappear.
Account took longer than expected to be created after purchase
During periods of high volume or market volatility, Apex account creation, resets, and Performance Account activations may take longer than usual. Wait at least six hours from the time of purchase before contacting support. Do not submit multiple help desk tickets for the same issue as this can slow resolution.
Daily startup sequence for Tradovate
The Tradovate startup sequence is shorter than the Rithmic path because there is no separate application to launch first. However, the order of steps still matters for traders using the NinjaTrader connection path.
Direct Tradovate path (daily routine)
NinjaTrader path (daily routine)
If you have not yet purchased an evaluation
The Tradovate setup above applies once you have a purchased Apex evaluation and your credentials. If you have not yet chosen an account size or decided between Tradovate and Rithmic, the Apex account sizes guide covers all four sizes with full cost, contract limit, and payout cap data. If you are choosing between EOD and Intraday trail types, the Apex EOD vs Intraday guide covers the full mechanical difference including the drawdown lock behaviour that differs between Tradovate and Rithmic connections.
If you decided to use NinjaTrader with Rithmic instead of Tradovate, the full Rithmic connection setup is covered in the Apex NinjaTrader setup guide.
All four account sizes are available on both EOD and Intraday trail types. Code ONKAGNVZ applies 90% off all evaluation fees during the current active sale.
View current Apex evaluation options →