In the past, this was 100% true, and remains true if you’re planning on using the Trader application for standard, single trader use. However, since we’ve offered our API to retail customers, we have added a feature that allows traders using an API key - generated by an application developer - to send orders with no Market Data subscriptions. This will be available to customers with API access as a flag that can be set when creating a custom API Key. Traders using an application or service with an API key that has this flag will be allowed to initiate trades via the Tradovate API without having a market data subscription through our platform.
To enable this feature, you must first create an API key. You can follow these steps to create an API key. In the Create New API Key modal, you will see a checkbox near the bottom. Check this box to allow sending orders with other Market data subscriptions, then when you are satisfied with your settings press the Generate button.
When you check the box to Allow sending orders with no Market Data subscriptions you will be prompted with a confirmation box:
Then you can edit the rest of your key. When you’re satisfied with the settings, press the Generate button. You will then be shown your API Key one time only, so make sure that you properly store it.