Top One Futures Tradovate Setup Guide (2025): How to Guide

In late 2024 and throughout 2025, the futures prop industry ran into a massive platform crisis: Topstep — the owner of Project X — began cutting other prop firms off the platform.

This wasn’t because Project X suddenly stopped working.
It was because Topstep no longer wanted competitors using their technology.

And for firms like Top One Futures, this created real risk:

• If Project X access disappeared overnight, traders would be stuck.
• Accounts could not continue trading.
• Active evaluations and funded accounts could lose their platform.
• A competitor effectively controlled the entire environment.

For traders, the situation was even more unstable:

You cannot rely on a trading platform that belongs to another prop firm — especially one actively removing access from competitors.

Top One Futures saw this clearly and made a decisive move.

In November 2025, they launched full support for:

• Tradovate (Web, Desktop, Mobile)
• NinjaTrader (via Tradovate connection)
• TradingView (via Tradovate integration)

This ended their dependency on Project X and gave traders access to industry-standard tools without platform politics or uncertainty.

Execution quality went up.
Platform freedom went up.
Long-term stability returned.

This guide walks you through everything: activating Tradovate, avoiding common mistakes, connecting NinjaTrader and TradingView, and understanding how this shift reshapes the Top One experience.

Why the Move Away From Project X Was Necessary

Before setup instructions, let’s clarify the real issue.

Project X wasn’t a performance problem — it became a business risk

Project X was stable and functional. The problem was ownership.

Project X is owned by Topstep, a direct competitor.
And when Topstep began cutting firms off from using it, it became obvious:

• Top One did not control the platform
• Access could be removed without warning
• Traders were vulnerable
• Platform continuity was not guaranteed

No serious firm can build its business around a competitor’s software.

Tradovate solves this permanently

By switching to Tradovate, Top One Futures now controls:

• platform licensing
• data routing
• mobile + desktop support
• long-term stability
• charting ecosystem
• integration options (NinjaTrader + TradingView)

For the first time, traders get independent, future-proof platform access.

Supported Platforms at Top One Futures (as of November 2025)

You can now trade on:

• Tradovate Web
• Tradovate Desktop (Windows & Mac)
• Tradovate Mobile
• NinjaTrader 8
• TradingView (via Tradovate)

Legacy support:

• Project X (existing accounts only)

New accounts can choose Tradovate or NinjaTrader at checkout.

First-Time Tradovate Setup — Mandatory Steps

To activate your account, you must complete a one-time data certification.

If you skip this, you will not have real-time CME data — and you may incur unwanted fees.

Follow these steps carefully.

Step 1 — Log In to Your Top One Dashboard

Find your new Tradovate-linked account in your account list.

Step 2 — Open Your Tradovate Credentials

Click the 🔑 Key icon next to your account.

You will see:

• login
• username
• password
• platform type

These are your Tradovate credentials, not your Top One login.

Click Launch Platform.

Step 3 — Log In to Tradovate

You will be redirected to:

https://trader.tradovate.com/welcome

Enter the exact username + password from your dashboard.

Step 4 — Sign the Market Data Subscriber Certification

First-time users must complete the UNIFORM SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT.

This step is critical.

Choose:

✔ Non-Professional
❌ Do not select Professional

Selecting “Professional” triggers significant CME data fees (up to $120+/month).
Top One cannot reverse this.

This step only happens once.

Step 5 — Access the Platform

After confirming your certification, Tradovate loads the trading mode screen.

Step 6 — Select “Tradovate Prop – Simulation”

This is the correct environment for all Top One Futures accounts.

Select:

Tradovate Prop – Simulation

Avoid:

• Market Replay
• Live Mode
• Other demo environments

Then click Access Simulation.

Step 7 — You’re Ready to Trade

Your account is now active on:

• Tradovate Web
• Tradovate Desktop
• Tradovate Mobile

Charts, DOM, hotkeys, and contracts will load instantly.

Using Tradovate on Desktop and Mobile

Desktop (Windows & macOS)

Best for serious traders:

• smoother DOM
• faster charts
• stable hotkeys
• multi-monitor layouts

Download:
👉 Tradovate Desktop

Web Platform

Great for fast access and laptop setups.

Mobile App

A real mobile futures trading environment — something Project X never offered.

How to Connect NinjaTrader With Your Top One Tradovate Account

NinjaTrader gives you advanced charting and a deep technical workflow.

To connect:

1. Install NinjaTrader 8
2. Go to Connections → Configure → Tradovate
3. Enter your Tradovate username + password
4. Select Demo
5. Click Connect
6. Your Top One account loads automatically

Important

NinjaTrader ATM strategies are automation.
Automation is banned at Top One Futures.

How to Connect Tradovate to TradingView

TradingView offers unmatched charting flexibility.

Here’s how to connect:

1. Log in to TradingView
2. Open any chart
3. Bottom panel → Trading Panel
4. Select Tradovate
5. Choose Demo
6. Enter your Tradovate username + password
7. Connect

Notes

• Free TradingView = delayed futures data
• Real-time CME data requires a paid plan
• Platform issues within TradingView cannot be fixed by Top One support

Tradovate vs Project X — Full Comparison

Rules That Still Apply When Using Tradovate

Switching platforms does not change Top One’s rules.

You must still follow:

10-second minimum hold

Partial closes are counted as closes.

No automated trading

This includes:

• bots
• scripts
• EAs
• automation tools
• NinjaTrader ATM strategies

Copy trading restrictions

You cannot copy trades between different program types.

Drawdown rules

PRO = intraday trailing
Elite/Instant = EOD trailing + lock

ESS / consistency requirements

Unchanged from Project X.

Final Verdict — Should You Switch to Tradovate?

Yes — nearly every trader should.

Tradovate offers:

• platform independence
• faster execution
• better charting
• desktop + mobile support
• TradingView integration
• a long-term stable ecosystem

Top One Futures already had strong payouts and clean rules.
Project X was their single biggest weakness — and now it's gone.

Tradovate transforms the trading experience and future-proofs the firm.

Your Next Steps

Start Trading with Top One Futures

Use Tradovate, NinjaTrader, or TradingView with fast payouts.
Visit Top One Futures — Code VIBES

Read the Full Top One Futures Review

Everything you need to know about payouts, rules, accounts, and my live-tested experience.

Explore Top One Futures Payout Rules

Understand payout cycles, ESS requirements, and the path to live funding.