Which Prop Firms Actually Allow Automated Trading & Bots?
Heads up: some links below are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never changes what we recommend.
Fewer than the lists claim. To run a bot on a Tradovate connection you need a firm that allows automation and runs on Tradovate — that's mainly Tradeify and TradeShield. Bulenox allows bots but runs on Rithmic/NinjaTrader, not Tradovate. Apex, Topstep, TakeProfit Trader and TickTick Trader either ban automation on funded accounts or require every trade to be placed by hand. Rules change often — always confirm on the firm's own site before you go live.
Why most “algo-friendly” lists are wrong
Search “prop firms that allow bots” and you'll get a dozen lists that all say “yes, everyone allows it!” — because most of them are paid to. The problem is that being allowed to automate and being able to actually connect your bot are two different things, and getting it wrong can cost you a funded account. So this list is checked against each firm's own published rules, and it's split by the thing that actually matters for automation: does the firm let you run a bot or EA, and does it run on the platform your bot speaks to?
The honest compatibility table for a Tradovate bot
| Prop firm | Automation allowed? | Runs on Tradovate? | Fits a Tradovate bot? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tradeify | Yes (eval + funded, with rules) | Yes | Best fit |
| TradeShield | Yes (incl. copiers) | Yes | Good fit |
| Bulenox | Yes (algo-friendly) | No — Rithmic / NinjaTrader | Not for a Tradovate bot |
| TradeDay | Limited — no third-party bots via direct API | Yes (manual) | Not for a direct-API bot |
| Apex Trader Funding | No — banned on funded accounts | Yes (manual) | No |
| Topstep | No — API automation prohibited | No — ProjectX | No |
| TakeProfit Trader | No — manual only | Yes (manual) | No |
| TickTick Trader | No — manual only | Yes (manual) | No |
Compiled from each firm's published rules and platform support, August 2026. Policies change — verify on the firm's own site before trading.
Firm by firm (the short, honest version)
Tradeify — the clearest algo rules
Tradeify allows automated strategies on both evaluation and funded accounts, and it runs on Tradovate — so a Tradovate bot connects cleanly. The catches are sensible: you must be the sole owner of the strategy (no sharing the same bot across firms), no high-frequency scalping, and at least half your trades and profit should come from positions held longer than ten seconds. Tradeify (current deal, code LPFT).
TradeShield — automation + copiers
TradeShield supports Tradovate and allows automated trading and trade copiers, which makes it a solid second option for a hands-off setup. As always, confirm the specifics of your exact strategy with them first. TradeShield (deal + code LPFT).
Bulenox — bot-friendly, but not Tradovate
Bulenox is one of the more automation-friendly firms — EAs, bots and copiers are permitted — but it runs on Rithmic / NinjaTrader 8, not Tradovate. So it's great if your automation speaks Rithmic, and a non-starter if your bot is built for Tradovate. Bulenox (current deal, code LPFT).
TradeDay — strategies yes, direct-API bots no
TradeDay lets you trade custom strategies through supported platforms, but it does not expose the Tradovate API for connecting an automated system directly, and third-party bots are off-limits. Fine for manual or platform-native strategies; not the place for a direct-API bot. TradeDay (current deal, code LPFT).
Apex, Topstep, TakeProfit & TickTick — automation is off the table
These are big names, so it's worth being clear: Apex prohibits bots, algorithms and fully-automated systems on funded accounts (human traders only). Topstep allows a strategy on its funded account in principle but prohibits API automation and doesn't run on Tradovate. TakeProfit Trader and TickTick Trader both require every trade to be placed manually — no bots, no exceptions. You can still trade these firms by hand — if that's your plan, TickTick Trader takes code LPFT at checkout.
We only support prop-firm connections that run through Tradovate. You're free to point our tools at a prop firm's own API key at your own discretion, but if you ever file a guarantee claim you'll need to provide your full broker statement where applicable. That's exactly why Tradeify and TradeShield are the firms we point automated traders toward — they satisfy both halves of the equation.
The LPFT Copilot runs a tested, rules-based system on your Tradovate account — start a 7-day free trial.
Start your 7-day free trialIf you want to run an automated bot, start here
If your plan is to automate on a funded account, the shortlist is short: pick a firm that allows automation and runs on Tradovate. That's Tradeify or TradeShield — both take the code LPFT at checkout for the current discount. Then connect it to a Tradovate-native system (like the LPFT Copilot) and keep every one of the firm's risk, consistency and drawdown rules switched on. Break those and it won't matter which firm you chose.
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes — it depends entirely on the firm. Some (like Tradeify and TradeShield) allow automated strategies; others (Apex, Topstep, TakeProfit Trader, TickTick Trader) prohibit bots on funded accounts or require every trade to be placed by hand. Always read your firm's current rules before you automate anything.
You need two things at once: the firm has to allow automation AND run on Tradovate. Tradeify and TradeShield tick both boxes. Bulenox allows bots but runs on Rithmic/NinjaTrader, not Tradovate, so a Tradovate-based bot can't connect there.
It can, if the firm bans automation and you use it anyway — accounts get closed and profits forfeited. It can also happen on firms that allow bots if you break their other rules (high-frequency trading, copying a bot across accounts, or ignoring consistency and drawdown limits). Stay inside the firm's written rules.
No. We only support prop-firm connections that run through Tradovate. You can point our tools at a prop firm's own API key at your own discretion, but for a guarantee claim you'll need to provide your full broker statement where applicable.
Yes, often. Firms update their policies regularly, so treat any list (including this one) as a starting point and confirm the current rules on the firm's own site before you go live.
Eli Y.
Eli builds and runs rules-based automated futures systems on TradingView and Tradovate, and helps traders take emotion out of the screen. He writes about futures automation, prop-firm evaluations, and the tools that connect them — plainly, and without hype.
Risk disclosure: Trading futures involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. This article is educational content only and is not financial advice. Prop-firm rules change frequently — always confirm the current rules on the firm's own site. Some links are affiliate links.