Copy Trades from TradingView to Futures Prop Firms
Traders can now connect their TradingView charts to Prop Firms with CrossTrade and QuantVPS
Introduction to Crosstrade
In the ever-evolving world of modern trading, the ability to execute trades across different platforms swiftly and seamlessly can provide a significant advantage. Crosstrade is a software tool designed to bridge the gap between TradingView and NinjaTrader, allowing traders to copy trades directly from one platform to the other. Traditionally, these two platforms have been favorites among traders for various reasons—TradingView for its intuitive charting and social-sharing features, and NinjaTrader for its robust order execution, advanced analytics, and customization options. However, running these platforms separately can introduce extra steps and potential delays, especially when you need to manually replicate trades in NinjaTrader after analyzing charts in TradingView.
Crosstrade solves this dilemma by automating the process. When you generate a signal in TradingView—either manually based on your chart analysis or automatically from a custom script—Crosstrade can relay that order to NinjaTrader in near real time. This streamlines your workflow, reducing the chance of missed trades or errors due to manual input. Yet, for optimal performance, you’ll need a stable, secure, and low-latency environment to host both the NinjaTrader platform and Crosstrade’s bridging functionality. This is where a VPS for Futures trading from QuantVPS becomes invaluable.
Why Use Crosstrade to Bridge TradingView and NinjaTrader?
1. Unified Workflow
Without Crosstrade, traders using TradingView for charting typically have to place trades manually on NinjaTrader. This two-step process can be prone to human error—especially in fast-moving markets—and may slow down critical order executions. Crosstrade automates the “copy-paste” element, removing a significant friction point in your day-to-day routine.
2. Capitalizing on TradingView’s Features
TradingView is known for its extensive library of user-created indicators, scripts, and alerts. Many traders rely on these custom signals to identify high-probability setups. Crosstrade ensures these alerts can be acted upon instantly in NinjaTrader, rather than risking a delay that might result in less favorable fills.
3. Flexibility in Execution
NinjaTrader provides advanced features such as semi-automated and fully automated strategies, bracket orders, and sophisticated risk management tools. By copying trades from TradingView into NinjaTrader, you can leverage NinjaTrader’s comprehensive toolset without losing the charting and scripting benefits of TradingView.
4. Reduced Errors and Slippage
In volatile markets, seconds—or even milliseconds—matter. Crosstrade’s automated copying mechanism helps ensure that your trades are executed as quickly as possible. This can reduce the likelihood of human input errors and help you secure more accurate entries.
Why a VPS Is Crucial for Crosstrade
Crosstrade itself is a powerful piece of software, but it still needs to run smoothly on stable hardware and a reliable network. While you can run both TradingView (web-based) and NinjaTrader (installed software) on your local computer, this approach has several drawbacks:
1. Local Power or Internet Failures
Your home or office internet might go down, or your personal computer might crash. When these failures occur during critical market hours, you risk losing the ability to relay trades between TradingView and NinjaTrader, potentially missing out on significant opportunities.
2. Variable Latency
Connecting from a home internet setup often means dealing with fluctuating latency. For time-sensitive trades—particularly in rapidly moving markets—this volatility can lead to slippage and inconsistent fills.
3. Hardware Constraints
Personal computers are typically set up for a range of tasks—web browsing, email, streaming media, etc. These tasks can consume system resources, occasionally leading to performance bottlenecks right when your trading software needs maximum processing power.
4. Security and Maintenance
Running NinjaTrader and Crosstrade locally means you’re responsible for system updates, security patches, virus protection, and more. Any lapse in system maintenance or security can expose your trading environment to potential threats.
A VPS from QuantVPS addresses these issues by providing a professionally maintained, secure data-center environment. With a VPS, you effectively “rent” a virtual machine that’s always on, configured with dedicated resources, low-latency network connections, and robust security measures.
Key Benefits of a QuantVPS for Crosstrade Users
1. High Uptime and Reliability
QuantVPS data centers are designed for continuous operation. They have redundant power supplies, advanced cooling systems, and guaranteed uptime commitments. This professional infrastructure ensures your Crosstrade setup remains online, even if local power or internet in your home fails.
2. Low Latency Connections
By placing your trading environment in data centers strategically located near major financial hubs, QuantVPS reduces the “round-trip” time for order executions. This low-latency advantage can be critical when your TradingView signals fire and need to instantly relay to NinjaTrader.
3. Dedicated Resources
With a VPS, you receive a portion of the server’s CPU, RAM, and storage allocated specifically to you, which helps maintain stable performance. This dedicated environment is critical for running software like NinjaTrader and Crosstrade efficiently, especially if you’re monitoring multiple markets or using custom indicators.
4. Robust Security
QuantVPS employs enterprise-grade firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security updates. This layered protection reduces the risk of malicious attacks or unauthorized access to your trading environment. Since Crosstrade depends on continuous data transfer between platforms, enhanced security is essential to maintain the integrity of your orders.
5. 24/7 Support
For serious traders, time is money. If a technical glitch occurs, having a support team available around the clock can make the difference between missing a trading session and quickly restoring your setup.
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Crosstrade on QuantVPS
1. Choose a QuantVPS Plan
Visit QuantVPS and review the available VPS packages. Factors to consider include RAM, CPU cores, and the location of the server. A location near your broker’s servers can lower latency further.
2. Install NinjaTrader on the VPS
After logging into your new VPS, download and install NinjaTrader. Verify you have the correct license key or user credentials from your existing NinjaTrader account. Once installed, configure your broker connection settings within NinjaTrader.
3. Add Crosstrade to Your VPS
Crosstrade typically involves installing or activating a specific bridging tool or script that works in tandem with your NinjaTrader client. Follow the Crosstrade documentation for exact installation steps. Often, this requires you to sign in to your TradingView account and give Crosstrade permission to handle trade signals on your behalf.
4. Configure TradingView Alerts
On TradingView, set up alerts tied to the indicators or price levels you want to trigger trades. Each alert will contain parameters recognized by Crosstrade so that it knows how to execute the corresponding order in NinjaTrader. Once set, these alerts will run continuously, even if you’re not actively watching the chart.
5. Test Your Setup
Use a demo or simulated trading environment in NinjaTrader to confirm that signals from TradingView are arriving properly. Execute a few test trades under controlled conditions. Check your logs to ensure that everything matches your specifications—entry prices, order types, and any relevant stop-loss or take-profit instructions.
6. Go Live
After confirming that everything works seamlessly in demo mode, switch to your live trading account. Keep an eye on system resources, CPU usage, and network stability, especially during the first few days of running Crosstrade on the VPS. If performance remains robust, you can gradually scale up your strategy.
Optimizing Your Crosstrade Workflow
• Leverage NinjaTrader’s Advanced Tools
While TradingView excels in charting and generating alerts, NinjaTrader offers advanced order types and risk management features. Use bracket orders, trailing stops, or complex order routing in NinjaTrader to enhance your trade execution.
• Automate Logs and Notifications
Crosstrade, TradingView, and NinjaTrader each generate logs. Use these records to diagnose potential issues or fine-tune your strategy. You can also configure email or SMS notifications to alert you of any failed trades or system disconnections.
• Keep Your VPS Updated
Allowing your VPS environment to apply regular operating system updates and security patches helps maintain a secure, stable environment. Most providers, including QuantVPS, handle routine server-level updates automatically, but any custom software (like NinjaTrader or Crosstrade) may require manual updates.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
1. Overly Aggressive Strategies
Crosstrade makes it easy to automate trades based on TradingView alerts, but be mindful of over-optimizing or relying too heavily on short-term signals. Excessive trades can rack up commission costs and slippage.
2. Ignoring Transaction Costs
Even minor fees can accumulate if you’re sending multiple signals per day. Incorporate commissions and spreads into your risk management plan and evaluate net profitability regularly.
3. Inadequate Alert Settings
A single mistyped parameter can lead to incorrect trade sizes or wrong order types in NinjaTrader. Double-check your TradingView alert syntax and test thoroughly in a demo environment.
4. Failing to Monitor VPS Resources
Running complex indicators on TradingView while simultaneously executing trades in NinjaTrader can consume significant CPU and RAM. Monitor your VPS usage to avoid performance bottlenecks, and consider upgrading your plan if necessary.
Conclusion
Crosstrade bridges the gap between TradingView’s dynamic charting and NinjaTrader’s robust execution capabilities, creating a powerful tool for traders of all skill levels. By automating trade signals between these two platforms, you can eliminate manual steps, reduce errors, and better capitalize on market opportunities. However, for Crosstrade to operate smoothly, it needs a stable, low-latency environment—which is exactly what the Best VPS for Futures Trading provides. With redundant power, dedicated resources, advanced security, and rapid network connections, QuantVPS ensures that your trading software runs consistently and reliably.
Whether you’re an experienced trader fine-tuning your multi-platform setup or a newcomer looking to streamline your workflow, the combination of Crosstrade and a QuantVPS can be a game-changer. Take advantage of TradingView’s extensive indicator library and social features while leveraging NinjaTrader’s precise order handling and risk management. Add in the constant uptime and enhanced security of a VPS, and you’ll have a robust foundation for capturing market opportunities day in and day out.