Which platform to trade futures with Rithmic?

· 5 min read

R|Trader Pro, MotiveWave, ATAS or Quantower: the 4 Rithmic-compatible platforms compared, and how to connect in 2 minutes.

Rithmic is the connection that links your trading account to CME futures markets. It isn't used on its own: you plug it into a trading platform, with the username and password provided by your prop firm. Here are the 4 platforms we recommend.

R|Trader ProRithmicThe official Rithmic platform, free and easy to start with.WindowsDownload ↗MotiveWaveComplete technical analysis, also runs on Mac.WindowsMacLinuxDownload ↗ATASOrder flow and footprint charts.WindowsDownload ↗QuantowerModern interface, DOM and volume analysis.WindowsDownload ↗

Quick comparison

PlatformWindowsMacStrength
R|Trader ProYesNoOfficial Rithmic platform, free
MotiveWaveYesYesComplete technical analysis, also on Mac and Linux
ATASYesNoOrder flow and footprint
QuantowerYesNoModern interface, DOM and volume

Which one should you pick?

  • You're starting out: R|Trader Pro. Free, simple, made by Rithmic. Perfect to place orders and track your account.
  • You're on a Mac: MotiveWave, which runs natively on Mac.
  • You trade order flow (order book, footprint, delta): ATAS.
  • You want a modern all-round interface: Quantower.

R|Trader Pro is free. The other three are paid, with a trial or a limited version depending on the publisher: check the terms on their website.

Connect in 2 minutes

  1. Install the platform and open it.
  2. Choose the Rithmic connection.
  3. Enter your Rithmic username and password.
  4. Select the system and gateway shown in your dashboard. Your account appears: you can trade.

Your LibertyFutures dashboard then tracks your account live: balance, drawdown limit, number of contracts. To size your positions properly, read Micro vs mini futures contracts: which to choose?.

Read next

How do futures prop firms work?Challenge, funded account, drawdown, payouts: how a futures prop firm works, explained simply with real numbers.EOD drawdown, explained simplyHow the end-of-day (EOD) drawdown works at LibertyFutures, with a worked example, and how to never hit your limit.Micro vs mini futures contracts: which to choose?MES, MNQ, ES, NQ: point and tick values, risk per trade and position size to pass a prop firm challenge.

Futures trading involves a significant risk of loss. LibertyFutures challenge accounts are simulated. This article is for information only and is not investment advice.