Topstep Rithmic: Platform Guide for Prop Traders

Topstep and Rithmic are frequently paired by futures traders, and for good reason: Rithmic is one of the primary data and order-routing infrastructures that Topstep supports for connecting third-party platforms. If you are evaluating whether the Topstep Rithmic connection fits your workflow, this guide covers what the integration actually involves, what can go wrong during setup, what it costs to run, and what alternatives exist if Rithmic is not the right fit for your situation. Verify all current details directly on Topstep’s platform page or dashboard before purchasing, as supported platforms and data feed arrangements can change.

What Is the Topstep and Rithmic Connection?

Rithmic is not a trading platform itself. It is a technology layer — specifically a data feed and order-routing infrastructure — that sits between a broker or prop firm and the trading platform a trader uses on their desktop. When Topstep says it supports Rithmic, it means traders can connect compatible front-end platforms to Topstep’s simulated and funded accounts using Rithmic’s protocol.

This matters because many professional-grade futures platforms — including Quantower, Atas, Bookmap, and others — use Rithmic as their connection method rather than a proprietary API. If your preferred platform lists Rithmic as a supported data connection, there is a reasonable chance it can be used with Topstep, subject to Topstep’s current approved platform list.

Topstep also supports other connection methods, most notably Tradovate’s native infrastructure and the Trading Technologies (TT) platform. Rithmic is one option, not the only one. Which connection method is right for you depends on the platform you want to trade on and the data quality you need.

For a broader look at how platforms are evaluated across prop firms, visit the PropCatalog platforms hub.

Which Prop Firms May Support Rithmic?

Topstep is among the more established futures prop firms that has historically offered Rithmic connectivity, but it is not the only one. Several other futures-focused prop firms also list Rithmic as a supported connection. The table below outlines what to look for when checking whether a firm supports Rithmic — use it as a verification checklist rather than a confirmed list, since firm policies change.

If you are comparing Topstep against other firms on platform support, the PropCatalog compare hub is a useful starting point for side-by-side checks.

Setup and Compatibility: What You Need to Know Before Connecting

Connecting a third-party platform to Topstep via Rithmic involves several steps that are easy to get wrong if you have not done it before. The general flow looks like this:

1. Purchase or activate a Topstep account (evaluation or funded, depending on what Rithmic access requires).
2. Receive your Rithmic login credentials from Topstep — these are separate from your Topstep dashboard login.
3. Download and install your chosen front-end platform (for example, Quantower, Atas, or another Rithmic-compatible platform).
4. In the platform’s connection settings, select Rithmic as the data provider and enter the credentials Topstep issued.
5. Select the correct server — Topstep typically uses a specific Rithmic server endpoint, not the default live trading server.
6. Verify that your account appears correctly and that simulated order routing is active before placing any trades.

The most critical step is server selection. Rithmic operates multiple server environments, and connecting to the wrong one can result in either a failed connection or, in rare cases, routing issues. Topstep’s onboarding documentation should specify the exact server name to use. If it does not, contact Topstep support before proceeding.

Platform compatibility is also not universal. Just because a platform supports Rithmic does not mean Topstep has approved it for use. Topstep maintains a list of approved platforms, and trading on an unapproved platform — even if the connection technically works — may violate account rules. Check the approved platform list in your Topstep dashboard or help center before installing anything.

Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid

The following checklist covers the most frequent errors traders make when setting up a Rithmic connection with Topstep. Review each point before you go live.

• Using your Topstep dashboard credentials as your Rithmic login. These are different credential sets. Rithmic credentials are issued separately and must be used in the platform’s Rithmic connection dialog, not the Topstep website login.
• Selecting the wrong Rithmic server. Topstep uses a specific server endpoint. Using a generic or default Rithmic server will either fail to connect or connect to the wrong environment.
• Skipping the approved platform verification step. Connecting via Rithmic does not automatically mean the platform is approved. Confirm the platform is on Topstep’s approved list before trading.
• Not verifying simulated vs. live routing. Before placing any trade, confirm that your orders are routing to the correct simulated environment. A misrouted order in a live environment would be a serious problem.
• Assuming data feed is included at no cost. Some Rithmic data plans carry a separate monthly fee. Verify whether Topstep includes this in your account fee or whether you need to subscribe separately.
• Installing a platform version that is not compatible with the Rithmic build Topstep uses. Platform and Rithmic plugin versions sometimes need to match. Check the version requirements in Topstep’s setup documentation.
• Not testing the connection during market hours. Some connection issues only appear when markets are open and data is actively streaming. Test during a live session before your first trading day.
• Ignoring latency differences between Rithmic and Tradovate connections. If you previously used Topstep via Tradovate, the Rithmic connection may behave differently in terms of fill speed and data display. Adjust your expectations and test before trading at full size.

Costs, Data Feeds, and Add-Ons to Verify

One of the most overlooked aspects of the Topstep Rithmic setup is the cost structure beyond the evaluation or monthly account fee. Rithmic-based connections can involve additional charges depending on how Topstep structures its offering at any given time. The following are the cost categories to verify directly with Topstep before committing.

Rithmic Data Feed Fees

Rithmic charges for market data access, and these fees may or may not be bundled into your Topstep account fee. Historically, some prop firms absorb the Rithmic data cost, while others pass it through to the trader. Verify on Topstep’s pricing page or billing FAQ whether the data feed is included. If it is not, factor in the monthly Rithmic data cost when calculating your total cost of trading. Visit the PropCatalog pricing hub for context on how prop firm fee structures typically work.

Exchange Data Fees

Separate from the Rithmic infrastructure fee, exchange data fees apply for specific markets. CME Group data, for example, carries its own monthly subscription cost for real-time quotes. Delayed data is typically free, but trading on delayed data in a fast market is a significant disadvantage. Confirm whether Topstep’s Rithmic setup includes real-time exchange data or whether you need to subscribe separately through Rithmic’s data portal.

Platform Licensing Costs

The front-end platform you use with Rithmic may carry its own cost. Some platforms are free with a Rithmic connection, while others charge a monthly subscription. Quantower, for example, has a free tier and paid tiers with additional features. Atas and Bookmap have their own subscription models. Factor in the platform cost when evaluating the total monthly overhead of a Rithmic-based setup.

Reset and Scaling Fees

These are Topstep-specific costs unrelated to Rithmic but worth noting in the same cost review. If you reset an evaluation or add a scaling plan, those fees apply regardless of which platform connection you use. Check Topstep’s current pricing page for reset costs and any add-on fees before purchasing.

Which Trader Type Is Best Suited to the Rithmic Connection?

The Rithmic connection is not the right choice for every Topstep trader. It tends to suit specific trading styles and technical preferences better than others.

Traders Who Benefit Most from Rithmic

• Order flow and footprint traders who use platforms like Atas or Bookmap that require Rithmic for their advanced data visualization features.
• Algorithmic and semi-automated traders who use platforms with Rithmic API access for custom order management or automated execution.
• Traders who need specific charting environments not available through Topstep’s native or Tradovate-based platforms.
• Experienced futures traders who are already familiar with Rithmic’s connection setup and want to replicate their existing workflow inside a prop firm account.

Traders Who May Be Better Served by Other Connections

• New futures traders who are not yet familiar with Rithmic’s setup process and want a simpler onboarding experience. Topstep’s native platform or Tradovate connection is typically easier to configure.
• Traders primarily using NinjaTrader should verify whether NinjaTrader’s Rithmic connection is approved by Topstep, as NinjaTrader also supports Tradovate and other connections that may be simpler to configure.
• Traders focused on cost minimization who want to avoid potential data feed add-ons. A bundled platform connection may have lower total monthly overhead.

Alternatives to the Rithmic Connection at Topstep

If the Rithmic setup does not fit your workflow, Topstep offers other connection options worth evaluating. Additionally, other prop firms offer Rithmic access with different fee structures or platform approval lists.

Tradovate (via Topstep)

Tradovate is a cloud-based futures platform that Topstep has supported as a primary connection option. It has a simpler setup process than Rithmic and includes its own charting and order management tools. For traders who do not need the specific platforms that require Rithmic, Tradovate is worth comparing. The tradeoff is that Tradovate’s ecosystem is more limited than what Rithmic enables in terms of third-party platform choice.

Trading Technologies (TT)

TT is a professional-grade platform that Topstep has offered access to. It is well-regarded for futures trading and has its own data infrastructure. TT carries its own cost structure and is generally aimed at more experienced traders. Verify whether TT access is available on your account tier and what the associated costs are.

Other Prop Firms with Rithmic Support

If Topstep’s specific Rithmic implementation does not meet your needs — for example, if a platform you require is not on Topstep’s approved list — other futures prop firms also support Rithmic. Comparing firms on platform approval lists, data feed inclusion, and evaluation rules is worth doing before committing. The PropCatalog reviews section and the rules hub cover firm-specific policies that affect platform choice.

How to Verify Your Setup Is Working Correctly

Before trading on any day, run through this short verification sequence to confirm your Rithmic connection is functioning as expected.

1. Open your platform and confirm the Rithmic connection status shows as connected, not pending or disconnected.
2. Check that live market data is streaming — prices should be updating in real time during market hours, not frozen or delayed.
3. Confirm the account displayed in the platform matches your Topstep account number, not a default or demo account.
4. Place a test order in simulation mode if available, or verify that your account is set to the correct simulated environment before placing any live order.
5. Check that your buying power and position limits reflect your Topstep account parameters, not default platform limits.
6. If anything looks inconsistent, disconnect and contact Topstep support before trading. Do not assume a partial connection is safe to trade on.