How to Trade on NinjaTrader Using a Mac

Does NinjaTrader work on a Mac? Not natively: NinjaTrader Desktop (NinjaTrader 8) is a Windows program, and NinjaTrader says it cannot run on a Mac. You have three practical options: run Windows on your Mac with Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, connect to a Windows VPS, or trade in your browser with NinjaTrader Web. NinjaScript add-ons, including ours, run only in NinjaTrader Desktop, so if you use them, pick one of the first two options.

NinjaTrader Desktop and our software only work on Windows. However, you can still trade NinjaTrader on a Mac using a Virtual Private Server (VPS). A VPS allows you to run NinjaTrader on a Windows environment remotely, bypassing the need for direct compatibility with macOS. Another option is VMware Fusion Pro, which runs a virtual machine on the Mac itself rather than on a remote server, and has been free for all users since November 2024. This lets you set up a virtual Windows machine on your Mac, giving you access to NinjaTrader and other Windows-based trading platforms without needing a separate PC. You can read Broadcom’s announcement here: VMware Fusion and Workstation are now free for all users. The download itself is on the Broadcom Support Portal and needs a free Broadcom account, as Broadcom’s download guide explains.

Mac Installation: Setting Up NinjaTrader on VMware Fusion

Before installing NinjaTrader on a Mac with VMware Fusion, follow these steps to configure your virtual machine:

1. Launch VMware and choose your virtual machine.
2. Click the “Settings” button at the bottom.
3. In the “System Settings” section, select “Sharing.”
4. Deselect “Documents” from the “Mirrored Folders” list.
5. Close the “Settings” window and power on your virtual machine.

Other Recommendations

One of our customers shared their insights on running NinjaTrader Desktop in a virtual server environment. These recommendations may not be perfect, but they offer valuable insights. Here’s a summary of their findings:

1. VPS vs. VDS:

• VPS: Shares CPU with other users, which can lead to performance issues if neighbors are heavy users.

• VDS: Offers a dedicated CPU, ensuring consistent performance. Though slightly more expensive (about $10-$15 more per month), it provides better reliability.

2. Operating System:

• Opt for the lightest Windows version, as pre-configured versions have unnecessary services. It still needs to be Windows 11 or Windows Server 2016 or later, which NinjaTrader lists as its minimum.

• Change the default “Administrator” user and RDP port for security.

3. Memory:

• 4 GB RAM is sufficient for copy trading in this customer’s experience. NinjaTrader recommends 8 GB.

• Upgrade memory for better performance if using additional indicators.

4. Location:

• For futures, the lowest latency to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) generally comes from servers in the Chicago area, where CME’s matching engine and NinjaTrader’s US Rithmic gateways are. This is based off the customer solely trading futures.

5. Hard Disk:

• A 50 GB NVMe hard disk is adequate for running NinjaTrader.

Additional Note:

• Some providers may refer to VDS as a Self-managed VPS, indicating dedicated server resources for optimal performance and security.

These insights highlight crucial technical aspects to consider for efficient trading using NinjaTrader.

Can I download NinjaTrader on a Mac?

There is no Mac version to download. The NinjaTrader Desktop installer is a Windows program, so download it from inside Windows: in your virtual machine or on your VPS, sign in to your NinjaTrader dashboard and download it there. Prop firm traders without a NinjaTrader brokerage account can register a free NinjaTrader username to get the download. Our NinjaTrader download page has the details.

NinjaTrader requires Windows 11 or Windows Server 2016 or later and recommends 8 GB of RAM, a sensible target for a virtual machine or VPS. On Apple silicon Macs, Parallels and VMware Fusion run the Arm version of Windows 11, which runs Intel-based apps like NinjaTrader through Windows’ built-in emulation. Boot Camp is not available on Apple silicon, and Apple’s Boot Camp instructions cover Windows 10, which NinjaTrader no longer supports.

Which Mac option fits how you trade?

• Virtual machine (Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion): Windows runs on the Mac itself, with no monthly server fee, but NinjaTrader is only connected while the Mac is awake. NinjaTrader says it cannot help with Mac-side or Parallels settings.
• Windows VPS: NinjaTrader keeps running when your Mac sleeps or you close the lid. You connect from the Mac with a remote desktop app such as Microsoft’s Windows App. That matters on Rithmic connections, where NinjaTrader simulates OCO locally: if it disconnects and one order of an OCO pair fills, the other is not cancelled.
• NinjaTrader Web or the NinjaTrader mobile app: nothing to install. NinjaTrader Web runs in Chrome, Edge or Safari, and the Mobile app is on the App Store and Google Play. Both work with NinjaTrader Brokerage accounts and Tradovate-based prop firm accounts, not Rithmic-based ones, and neither runs NinjaScript add-ons.

Our NinjaTrader add-ons run in NinjaTrader Desktop on Windows, so on a Mac they need a virtual machine or a VPS.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a NinjaTrader app for Mac?

Not for NinjaTrader Desktop. On a Mac you can use NinjaTrader Web in your browser, and NinjaTrader Mobile runs on iPhone and Android. NinjaTrader Desktop and NinjaScript add-ons need Windows in a virtual machine or on a VPS.

Does NinjaTrader work on an M1, M2 or M3 Mac?

It can run inside the Arm version of Windows 11 in Parallels or VMware Fusion, where Windows emulates Intel-based apps. NinjaTrader’s requirements do not mention Arm processors, so performance may vary. Test on a simulated account before trading live.

Can I trade my prop firm account on a Mac?

Yes. Tradovate-based prop firm accounts can sign in to NinjaTrader Web with their prop firm login. Rithmic-based prop firm accounts cannot connect to NinjaTrader Web or Mobile, so they need NinjaTrader Desktop in a virtual machine or on a VPS.

Why do I get “Unable to connect to DB” in Parallels?

NinjaTrader says this usually means Parallels is sharing files between the Mac and Windows, so NinjaTrader’s user data is on the Mac network drive instead of C:. Its fix: back up your templates and workspaces, turn off folder mirroring and every other sharing option for the virtual machine, then reinstall NinjaTrader. See NinjaTrader’s guide for the steps.

Will my add-on licenses work in a virtual machine or VPS?

Add-ons licensed by NinjaTrader Machine ID, including ours, treat the virtual machine or VPS as its own computer. Find its NinjaTrader Machine ID in the NinjaTrader Control Center under Help, then About, and register that ID. NinjaTrader notes the NinjaTrader Machine ID can change after Windows, BIOS or driver updates.