What Is the Best Server Setup for Running NinjaTrader?

VPS vs. VDS – Understand the Difference

When choosing a remote hosting environment for NinjaTrader, it’s essential to understand the distinction between a Virtual Private Server (VPS) and a Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS).

• VPS shares CPU resources with other users on the same physical machine. This can negatively impact performance, especially if neighboring users are running resource-heavy processes.

• VDS gives you dedicated CPU resources, ensuring your machine’s performance is consistent and not affected by other users. While slightly more expensive (about $10–15/month more), the performance and stability gains make it a superior choice for trading.

If you’re serious about performance and trade execution accuracy, VDS is the clear winner.

Choose a Lightweight Operating System

Most hosting providers offer Windows Server with unnecessary services pre-installed. For NinjaTrader, a lightweight installation of Windows is ideal—you’re not running email servers or websites, just a trading application.

Security Tip:
After accessing your VPS or VDS via Remote Desktop (RDP), immediately:

• Rename the default “Administrator” user.

• Change the RDP port and allow the new port through the firewall.

This helps protect your server from automated intrusion attempts and gives you exclusive access credentials not shared with the provider.

Memory Requirements

For basic trade copying operations using NinjaTrader, 4 GB of RAM is sufficient and keeps the system responsive. However:

• If you’re using heavy charting or custom indicators, upgrading to 8 GB or more is advisable.

• Most providers allow you to scale memory at any time, usually for an additional $5/month.

Best Server Location for Futures Trading

Latency matters when trading futures. Based on real-world testing across different regions (USA, UK, Germany), the best latency to the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) was consistently achieved using servers located in New York.

Disk Space

There’s no need to overpay for disk space. A 50 GB NVMe SSD is more than enough for installing and running NinjaTrader efficiently, even with plugins and updates.

Choosing a Reliable Hosting Provider

Be cautious—many providers advertise VPS services that are oversold, underperforming, or even misleading. Some may market a shared VPS as a “self-managed VDS,” so always confirm the specifications.

Conclusion

Running NinjaTrader on a VPS or VDS is a smart move if you want the flexibility to trade from anywhere, combined with always-on performance. For the best results:

• Use a VDS over a VPS.

• Select a New York server for low-latency futures trading.

• Choose a light Windows install and secure your RDP access.

With the right setup, you’ll benefit from faster execution, improved reliability, and peace of mind knowing your trading platform is stable and secure.