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cTrader Open API guide

cTrader is the trading platform from Spotware used by many FX and CFD brokers. Its Open API gives one integration that works across all those brokers, with the trade-off that it is a socket message protocol rather than plain REST.

Build a cTrader Open API strategy Get a cTrader Open API API keyOfficial docs

Last verified · Also known as Spotware Open API

Quick answer

cTrader Open API lets programs trade and stream data on accounts at any broker that offers cTrader. It is a message protocol over TCP or WebSocket, in JSON or Protobuf, authenticated with OAuth 2.0 against your cTrader ID. Limits are 50 non-historical and 5 historical requests per second per connection.

cTrader Open API at a glance

Pricing
API free; broker spreads/commissions apply
Availability
Clients of brokers offering cTrader
Paper trading
Demo environment with demo accounts
Integration type
Local gateway
In AlgoGP
Design and backtest in AlgoGP, connect the exported code
Transport
TCP or WebSocket; JSON or Protobuf
Hosts
demo.ctraderapi.com / live.ctraderapi.com (port 5035 / 5036 WS)
Auth
OAuth 2.0 app + account authorization
Limits
50 req/s, 5 historical req/s per connection
SDKs
Official C# and Python (ctrader-open-api)

Open API vs cTrader Algo

cTrader Algo (formerly cAlgo) runs C# robots inside the cTrader desktop app. The Open API is for external programs: your code connects, authenticates an app, then authorizes one or more trading accounts and exchanges messages such as ProtoOANewOrderReq.

Build a cTrader Open API strategy with AlgoGP

AlgoGP does not connect to cTrader Open API natively yet. cTrader Open API connects through a local gateway, socket, FIX or Protobuf stack rather than plain HTTPS, so it runs as a separate process next to your strategy.

  1. 1

    Design and backtest in AlgoGP

    Describe the strategy to the copilot and backtest it on years of normalized history. The result does not depend on any vendor.

  2. 2

    Export the Python project

    Every project exports strategy.py, market_data.py, brokers.py and live.py. The strategy only sees bars, cash, positions and orders, never a vendor’s wire format.

  3. 3

    Plug in cTrader Open API

    Implement the four adapter methods (account, positions, submit_market_order and a candle fetcher) with cTrader Open API’s SDK, or keep a built-in platform for paper trading and add cTrader Open API when you go live.

Built-in brokers for the same markets: Alpaca, Binance, Kraken, Bybit.

cTrader Open API: frequently asked questions

Is the cTrader Open API free?

Yes. Register an application on the Open API portal; broker trading costs apply.

Does cTrader have a REST API?

Not for trading. The Open API is a message protocol over TCP or WebSocket; JSON encoding avoids Protobuf if preferred.

Which brokers support the cTrader Open API?

Any broker offering cTrader accounts, such as Pepperstone, IC Markets and others; your account must be on cTrader.

Design and backtest your cTrader Open API strategy first

AlgoGP turns an idea into Python and tests it on years of history before you connect it to cTrader Open API. The exported code keeps the broker behind four small adapter methods.

  • AI copilot writes and revises the rules
  • Backtests with realistic costs
  • Exported Python ready to wire to cTrader Open API
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Independent guide. AlgoGP is not affiliated with cTrader Open API. Limits, prices and availability change; confirm them in the official documentation. Nothing here is investment advice.