Version 8.1 only allows two instances of NinjaTrader. Seriously?

[BarzTrading]

After spending literally years and thousands of dollars developing and researching on the NinjaTrader platform, after selling 10s of thousands of dollars of NT education courses, and recently spending weeks upgrading all of my code to be compatible with v8.1 and higher...

I've been told through several email exchanges with NT support that 8.1 and higher versions only allow a user to open two instances of the NinjaTrader software.

This is from support:

The main issue is on the newest version of our platform 8.1 or newer - when the initial sign in box appears after opening the program and you have to enter your username, that platform can only be opened and used with that username two times.

You can only connect to two devices at a time with your NinjaTrader log in credentials.

Then this:

You will not be able to connect to more than two NinjaTrader connections at a time unfortunately though. You will need to disconnect from one computer in order to connect to the other.

You can open the program on 5 computers if you have the older version of the platform but you cannot connect to all 5 at the same time.

This is enough to cause me to move to a different platform even after investing sooooo much in NinjaTrader.

I'm having trouble believing that this is true so wanted to get more input.

This restriction means that there is no way for a user to use more than two instances of the 8.1+ desktop software at a time, even if you wanted to pay for the privilege.

I need to run on multiple machines because I use a very CPU intensive custom optimization for finding trading strategies.

Since NT 8.1 and higher _requires_ you to login just to open the software, AND it limits you to two instances, AND as an individual trader I can only open one NinjaTrader brokerage account, HOW am I supposed to work?

The options NT support has offered me are:

1. Form an LLC company so you can open a second brokerage account which will then give you a total of 4 instances between the two accounts.
2. Downgrade to pre-8.1 version.

Why has NT made such a radical change? Why should I have to create an LLC or use an older version of the software that doesn't have the latest up-to-date features and functionality?

Please tell me this has all been a bad dream and a miscommunication.

I can't be the only person in this situation. What do others who want/need to use multiple machines do?

[NinjaTrader_Clayton]

Hello BarzTrading,

Thank you for writing in.

There seems to be some miscommunication and misunderstanding here.

1. Your NinjaTrader Username/Password can be used to open as many NinjaTrader Platforms as you desire on different computers.
   • If you had 20 computers with NinjaTrader installed on each, you could use the same Username and Password to initially sign in and open each one. This would tell all 20 platforms who is signing in and what features they are entitled to.
2. You can only have two active connections to a NinjaTrader Brokerage account when using the "NinjaTrader" connection type. The old "NinjaTrader Continuum" connection was limited to One.
   • For example, you could connect to the NinjaTrader Brokerage account using the "NinjaTrader" connection on two different computers. Or, on the same PC, you could connect to the Web Platform and the Desktop Platform at the same time.
   • Other Brokers and Providers may only allow One connection to the account through the "NinjaTrader" connection type at a time. You'd have to check with the Broker/Evaluation Provider directly to see how many concurrent connections that account is allowed to use.
3. You can have as many "NinjaTrader" based connections set up and connected as you desire as long as they follow the two rules above.
   • So for example, if you had a Tradovate-based Apex account, Tradovate-based Earn2Trade account, and a NinjaTrader Brokerage account, you could set up the "NinjaTrader" connection for all 3 of these and then click and connect to all 3 within the same platform/PC.

I tried to find your direct email with NinjaTrader support so that I could reinform the technician that previously shared the information, but I do not see the message history mentioned above so it may have been with a different email than the one you signed up to the forum with.

If possible, would you be able to forward your email thread or send an email directly to support addressed to me with some more information on the prior conversation so that I can find the technician and provide them with the information above so they are informed for the future.

• Send an email to Support[AT]NinjaTrader[DOT]com
• Put the subject as "Clayton ATTN 04352728"
• In the body, attach the prior email conversation or case number so that I can find out who shared the information and inform them of the changes.

Thank you for reaching out and assisting in the matter.

[BarzTrading]

Thank you, Clayton. What a relief!

What you explained is what I had expected to be the case, but was shocked to be told otherwise.

Yes. I'm using a different email address in the forum. I have emailed support with the info you requested.

Thank you for following up to help clarify this issue with support staff.