If you're running algorithmic trading strategies, your biggest enemy isn't the market — it's downtime. A power outage, an internet hiccup, or your computer going to sleep can disconnect your strategy mid-trade. The solution? A Virtual Private Server (VPS).
What Is a Trading VPS?
A VPS is a virtual computer running in a data center, accessible remotely from anywhere. It runs 24/7 with enterprise-grade internet and power redundancy. You install NinjaTrader on it, connect your strategies, and walk away — knowing they'll keep running no matter what happens to your local machine.
Why Home PCs Aren't Reliable Enough
Your home setup has too many failure points for serious algorithmic trading:
- Power outages — Even a brief outage kills your session and any open trades are left unmanaged.
- Internet drops — ISP issues happen. A 30-second disconnect during a volatile move can be costly.
- Windows updates — Your PC reboots at 3 AM for an update. Your strategy was in a trade.
- Sleep mode — Even with settings disabled, screensavers and power management can interfere.
What to Look For in a Trading VPS
- Low latency — Choose a data center near the CME (Chicago) for the fastest order execution.
- Minimum 4GB RAM — NinjaTrader with live data feeds and strategies needs headroom.
- Windows Server OS — NinjaTrader requires Windows. Most VPS providers offer this.
- 99.9%+ uptime SLA — Ensure the provider guarantees reliability.
Setup in 3 Steps
- Sign up with a VPS provider (popular choices include Amazon Lightsail, Vultr, or specialized trading VPS providers).
- Connect via Remote Desktop (RDP) — Use the Windows Remote Desktop app to access your VPS from any device.
- Install NinjaTrader + your strategies — Same installation process as your local machine. Follow our NinjaTrader algorithmic trading setup guide to connect your data feed and broker, enable your strategies, and you're live.
The Peace of Mind Factor
A VPS costs $20-50/month. Compare that to the potential loss from a single disconnection during a volatile market. It's not optional for serious algorithmic trading — it's a requirement.
HEXGO provides setup guides for configuring your VPS with our strategies. Visit our algorithmic trading setup guide for the complete walkthrough. Once connected, your algorithms trade around the clock with zero dependence on your local hardware.
