Apex Connection Issues

If you've traded with Apex and Rithmic, you may have experienced some issues. Or, you may have seen people in groups on Facebook, Discord, etc., complaining about Apex Rithmic connection issues. Let's talk about those.

• Yes, these issues have affected some people.
• No, they haven't affected everyone.
• Yes, they have occurred previously on Tradovate (and every other provider, and with every other online prop firm out there).

Prop Firm Data/Connection Issues

1. every futures data provider has connection issues and outages sometimes. CQG, Rithmic, Tradovate, doesn't matter. They all have problems.
2. Every firm I've traded with has had outages. Almost all of them will tell you to go screw yourself, whenever their outage costs you money and you complain. This includes brokerages with real money accounts.
3. Even when I had direct market access to ECNs for stocks on a major trading desk, I'd get bad fills sometimes, and they'd tell me to go screw myself.

Consider the Source

It's important to not listen to hearsay. Pay attention to what the company tells you, not what some random member in a Facebook group tells you. You're responsible for your trading and your relationship with the prop firm. Nobody else. With that in mind, here are a few reminders about posts from traders..

1. Some people have legit concerns, some don't.
2. Look at the poster's profile, especially on Facebook. Many of them are fake accounts just spamming and defaming.
3. Many people are trying to trade with systems that aren't cut out for it.
4. Many people aren't taking the steps necessary to maintain a good connection.
5. Many people are making mistakes and trying to blame it on the company to get something for free.

Like I said, I've seen this happen with every prop firm. Every time, there are people losing their minds in groups about it. 

Be Grateful When They Do Anything For You

Apex has handled all of these situations generously. They've reset failed accounts whenever connection issues arose. Maybe their bedside manner hasn't been to everyone's liking, but I see traders treat them with so much disrespect, I can see why they have to strongly word some things.

I've had much worse experiences with other firms. I've had live brokerage connections freeze up for an entire afternoon, costing me many thousands of dollars, and never even got a response from service. If you check their terms of service, they all say you're shit out of luck in the event of connection issues or outages..

As a trader, you're responsible for your own outcomes. I rarely have connection issues, even when there are many people having them. So, some advice...

1. Get the best trading computer you can afford
2. Get the fastest hard-wired internet connection you can afford.
3. Restart your computer every day
4. Minimize other applications open while you're trading (browsers, etc.)
5. Track CPU and RAM usage throughout the day and make sure you're not going above 80%.
6. Clear your Ninjatrader cache occasionally.