Best NinjaTrader VPS: Chicago providers, specs and setup
The best NinjaTrader VPS is a Windows Server in Chicago sized to your accounts. Specs by account count, provider types, and a step-by-step setup for copying.
From Copilink, which makes trade copiers for running several futures prop firm accounts from one leader. See how it works →
The best VPS for NinjaTrader is a Windows Server machine in a Chicago data center, sized for how many accounts and charts you run: about 8 GB of RAM for 1 to 5 accounts, 16 GB for 6 to 10, and 32 GB for 11 to 20, on dedicated CPU cores and SSD storage. Chicago keeps you close to the CME matching engines in Aurora, Illinois, and a VPS keeps NinjaTrader and your copier running when your home computer sleeps, restarts or loses internet.
NinjaTrader VPS specs by account count
| Accounts | RAM | CPU | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | 8 GB | 2 to 4 cores | 100 GB SSD |
| 6 to 10 | 16 GB | 4 to 6 cores | 120 GB SSD |
| 11 to 20 | 32 GB | 6 to 8 cores | 150 GB+ SSD (NVMe if offered) |
Treat these as starting points. Heavy charts, many indicators or order-flow tools need more. Measure your real load, then size up. The hardware guide for 10+ accounts shows what to watch.
Two things matter more than the headline numbers:
- Dedicated or isolated CPU. Cheap plans often share cores between customers. Another customer's busy period can slow NinjaTrader during yours. Ask the provider about CPU oversubscription.
- SSD, not spinning disks. NinjaTrader loads historical data and workspaces from disk; slow storage shows up as slow starts and lag after reconnects.
Why a Chicago VPS for NinjaTrader?
CME's futures matching engines are in Aurora, Illinois, just outside Chicago. Orders from a Chicago data center travel a few miles; orders from the East Coast travel about 800 miles, and from Europe much further. The network trip from Chicago is typically a couple of milliseconds, versus roughly ten or more from New York and far more from Europe.
For discretionary trading with holds of minutes, that difference barely matters. For scalping or copying to many accounts, where every follower order makes its own trip, Chicago removes a delay you cannot fix any other way. Most of the benefit, though, is simply uptime: no sleep, no home Wi-Fi drops, no surprise restarts.
VPS providers traders use for NinjaTrader
These are common choices with Chicago locations. Copilink has no affiliate relationship with any of them; compare current specs and prices yourself.
| Type | Examples | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Trading-focused VPS | QuantVPS, NYC Servers, ForexVPS | Preconfigured Windows for trading, support that knows NinjaTrader |
| General cloud with Chicago regions | Vultr, Linode, Contabo | Lower cost if you can set up Windows yourself |
Most providers bill monthly. Take one month, install your full setup, run a real session, and check the load.
How to set up a Windows VPS for NinjaTrader
- Order Windows Server 2019 or 2022 in a Chicago location. You will receive a Remote Desktop address and login.
- Connect with Remote Desktop. On Windows, use Remote Desktop Connection; on a Mac, use the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.
- Set Windows up for trading:
- Set Windows Update to manual, or schedule it outside trading hours. An update restart mid-session is the classic VPS failure.
- Set the power plan to High Performance and turn off sleep.
- Turn off visual effects you do not need.
- Install NinjaTrader 8 and connect your accounts. See how to connect Tradovate to NinjaTrader, or Rithmic plug-in mode for Rithmic accounts.
- Install your copier and set the leader, followers and per-account limits.
- Keep NinjaTrader running after you disconnect: closing the Remote Desktop window leaves programs running, but set Windows to log in automatically and start NinjaTrader after a restart.
- Test in simulation during a busy market. If CPU stays under about 70% and memory under about 80%, you have room. Near 85% or more in normal trading, size up before a fast market does it for you.
Do you need a VPS at all?
Not always. With one to three accounts, a reliable home computer on a wired connection is fine if you keep it awake and watch the session. A VPS earns its cost when you run many accounts, leave copying running while away from the desk, or trade from a Mac.
On a Mac, a VPS is one way to run NinjaTrader Desktop. The other option is Copilink Standalone, which runs natively on Mac and connects to Tradovate and Rithmic without NinjaTrader or Windows.
FAQ
What VPS should I use for a funded prop firm futures account?
A Windows Server VPS in Chicago with at least 8 GB of RAM and dedicated CPU for a few accounts, more as you add accounts and charts.
Is a VPS faster than trading from home?
Usually for the network trip to CME, if the VPS is in Chicago and you are not. The bigger gain is stability: it does not sleep, restart or lose Wi-Fi.
Can I run a trade copier on a VPS?
Yes. Copilink for NinjaTrader 8 runs inside NinjaTrader on a Windows VPS just as it does on a Windows PC.
What are the NinjaTrader 8 system requirements for a VPS?
Windows, a modern multi-core CPU and at least 8 GB of RAM for a light setup. Multi-account copying needs more; use the table above.
Continue this topic
Explore Copilink for NinjaTrader 8 →Trade without NinjaTrader
Copilink Standalone is a futures trade copier for Tradovate and Rithmic on Windows and macOS. The trial lasts 14 days and does not require a card.
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The Copilink NinjaTrader 8 trade copier runs inside NinjaTrader 8 on Windows and includes a separate 7-day trial.