Prop firm comparison
Compare prop firms
The rules that decide whether you pass — targets, loss limits and payout terms — for each firm’s standard two-step challenge, side by side.
Affiliate disclosure: the “Visit” links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. This never affects the data shown or the order of firms. Rules and offers change often, so always confirm on the firm’s own website before buying. Read more
AquaFunded
2-Step StandardTargets8% / 5%
Daily loss5%
Max loss8%
Profit split90%
- 1-step, 2-step, 3-step and instant funding models
- Wide choice of trading platforms
- Drawdown settings differ between tiers — confirm the exact tier before buying
Blue Guardian
2-Step StandardTargets8% / 4%
Daily loss4%
Max loss8%
Profit split85%
- Also offers 1-step, 3-step and instant funding models
- News trading and swing trading allowed
- 24-hour payout guarantee on stepped accounts
- Some plans use a trailing maximum loss instead of static — confirm which plan you are buying
- Consistency rule applies on some account types
Eightcap Challenges
Two PhaseTargets9% / 5%
Daily loss5%
Max loss10%
Profit split80%
- Backed by an established broker
- On-demand payouts
- TradingView and TradeLocker support
- Newer programme, launched in 2025
- Challenge fee is not refunded
FTMO
FTMO Challenge (2-Step)Targets10% / 5%
Daily loss5%
Max loss10%
Profit split80%,
- One of the longest-running retail prop firms
- Static 10% maximum loss
- Scaling plan for consistent traders
- Higher challenge fees than many newer firms
- The 1-Step option adds a Best Day Rule and trailing loss
FundedNext
Stellar 2-StepTargets8% / 5%
Daily loss5%
Max loss10%
Profit split80%
- Large firm with a big trader base
- Static 10% maximum loss
- 24-hour payout processing guarantee
- First payout takes 21 days
- Splits above 80% depend on plan or add-ons
Instant Funding
Two-PhaseTargets8% / 5%
Daily loss5%
Max loss10%
Profit split80%
- Also offers a no-evaluation instant account
- On-demand payouts on evaluation accounts
- Publishes on-chain payout records
- On the instant account, drawdown tightens from 10% to 5% once you reach 5% profit
- Strict rules on copy trading and shared IP addresses
Maven Trading
2-Step ChallengeTargets8% / 5%
Daily loss4%
Max loss8%
Profit split80%
- Among the lowest entry prices
- Static drawdown on the 2-step
- Tighter 4% daily loss limit
- Payouts capped at $10,000 per 30-day cycle
- Account resets to starting balance after each payout
Full rules comparison
| Rule | AquaFunded Visit site ↗ | Blue Guardian Visit site ↗ | Eightcap Challenges Visit site ↗ | FTMO Visit site ↗ | FundedNext Visit site ↗ | Instant Funding Visit site ↗ | Maven Trading Visit site ↗ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme compared | 2-Step Standard | 2-Step Standard | Two Phase | FTMO Challenge (2-Step) | Stellar 2-Step | Two-Phase | 2-Step Challenge |
| Phase 1 target | 8% | 8% | 9% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Phase 2 target | 5% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% |
| Maximum loss | 8%Sources differ — confirm with firm | 8% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 8% |
| Drawdown type | Static | Static | Check firm rulesSources differ — confirm with firm | Static | Static (balance-based) | Check firm rulesSources differ — confirm with firm | Static |
| Minimum trading days | 3–5 (varies by model)Sources differ — confirm with firm | 3–5 (varies by source)Sources differ — confirm with firm | 3 | 4 per phase | 5 per phase | Check firm rulesSources differ — confirm with firm | 3 profitable days per phase (0.5%+ each) |
| Time limit | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Profit split | 90% (100% with add-on) | 85% (90% with add-on) | 80% (90% with add-on) | 80%, up to 90% via scaling | 80% base, up to 95% | 80% (90% after 10% profit in 3 months) | 80% |
| Payouts | Bi-weekly (faster with add-ons) | Bi-weekly (weekly with add-on) | On demand | First payout after 14 days | First after 21 days, then every 14 days | On demand | Every 10 business days (max $10K per 30 days) |
| Fee refund | Check current terms | Check current terms | No | Yes, with first payout | Yes, with first reward | Check current terms | On third withdrawal |
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader, TradeLocker | MT5, Match-Trader, TradeLocker | MT4, MT5, TradeLocker, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade | MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader |
| Based in | Dubai, UAE | United Arab Emirates | Seychelles (broker-owned by Eightcap) | Prague, Czech Republic | UAE | United Kingdom | UAE |
How to read this comparison
A lower profit target is not automatically easier. What matters more is how much room the loss limits give you, and whether that room shrinks as you profit. A 10% static maximum loss is far more forgiving than an 8% trailing one, and a 4% daily limit leaves noticeably less room than 5%.
Payout terms matter just as much as the challenge: check how soon you can withdraw, how often, and whether there is a cap.
Learn exactly how these limits are calculated in Drawdown rules explained, and test your numbers with the prop firm drawdown calculator.
Before you buy a challenge
- Read the full rulebook, including news-trading, weekend-holding and consistency rules.
- Check the payout terms: first payout timing, frequency, caps and minimum withdrawal.
- Research the firm’s track record and patterns in recent reviews.
- Only pay a fee you can afford to lose — most challenge fees are non-refundable if you fail.