Reference · 3 min read

Prop firm rules cards

Sixteen firms, one card each, every rule that decides whether a strategy fits. Cross-checked against firm documentation and current rule trackers, September 2026.

One card per firm: drawdown model by stage, consistency rule, minimum days, contract caps, scaling plan, automation and copy-trading policy, payout terms. Each row is cross-checked against the firm's documentation and current rule trackers and dated. Cards are references; the how-to-pass guides linked from each card are the walkthroughs.

Futures prop firms

Forex / CFD prop firms

CFD prop firms (added September 2026)

FundedNext (CFD) — Trackers disagree; verify; Static 10% (2-Step), 6% (1-Step), 8% (Lite)
The5ers — None; Static 10% (High Stakes), 6% (Hyper/Pro Growth), 5% (Bootcamp)
E8 Markets — None eval; Best Day 40% (One/Classic/Track), 35% (Signature) at payout; Dynamic: intraday trailing (E8 One/Classic/Track), EOD (Signature)
Alpha Capital Group — None eval; 40% Best Day only on On-Demand payouts; Static 6-10% (Pro), 10% (Swing), 6% (Three)
Blue Guardian — Instant 20%; Guardian funded 30%; 2-Step Pro funded 25%; standard 14-day models none; 6% EOD trailing, locks at start + $100 at 6% profit (8% balance-based on some evals)
GOAT Funded Trader — Funded only: 15% standard/Instant GOAT; 20% Instant Pro, Pay Later (30% from 5 Sep 2026); none Instant Premium; Static 10% (2-Step), 6% (1-Step)
BrightFunded — None at any stage; Static 10% (2-Step Classic)
Funded Trading Plus — Instant 50% from day one; 1-Step 35% eval, 50% funded; 2-Step disputed; 6% trailing balance-based (1-Step)

More CFD prop firms (added 29 September 2026)

FXIFY — Disputed: none vs 25-30%; Static (1/3-Phase, 2-Phase Classic)
Instant Funding — 40% Best Day (Evolve, 1/2-Phase); 15-25% on IF1 / Micro; Smart DD 10% tightening to 5% at +5% (Instant)
FunderPro — Classic none; One Phase and Pro 40-45%; Static balance-based 6-10%
The Trading Pit — Disputed: 40% vs none; Static 10% (CFD Prime)
City Traders Imperium — Not published clearly; Static (Instant, 2-Step, Direct)
TX3 Funding (ex-TopTier) — 40% at payout; 10% maximum
Funded Trader Markets — All funded: 20% on instant, higher elsewhere; 1-step balance-based trailing
Ment Funding — None; 6% static
PipFarm — 50% challenges; 25% Instant; 12% trailing / 6% static (1-Step)
FTUK — Score 20%+ by product (advertised as none on one page); Instant 6% relative

More futures prop firms (added 29 September 2026)

Earn2Trade — 30% evaluation only; EOD trailing
Leeloo Trading — 30% on the PA with manual review; Trailing or static by type
Elite Trader Funding — 40% on Fast Track; Trailing (1-Step, EOD, Diamond Hands)
OneUp Trader — 80% three-best-days rule, evaluation only; Real-time trailing, locks at starting balance
TickTick Trader — 30% evaluations and Performance; 20% Direct; EOD trailing (TickTick Drawdown)
UProfit — 30% evaluation only (DAY); 50% (ONE); EOD Pro Drawdown (DAY)

Which firms allow automated trading?

The rule that decides most systematic strategies is not drawdown but automation, and it splits the group in three. Permitted in writing: Bulenox (EAs, bots and copiers on all accounts), Topstep, MyFundedFutures, Tradeify, TradeDay, FundingPips, FTMO (own logic only). Permitted in evaluation, restricted once funded: Apex, where a fully automated bridge is a violation on the Performance Account. Prohibited outright: Maven Trading, Funded Futures Family and Top One Futures — no plan at those firms permits EAs, and alert-driven manual execution is the only compliant path.

Reading the cards

The row that matters most is the drawdown model on the funded stage, because several firms switch models between evaluation and funded. The second is consistency, because it filters on the shape of returns rather than on profit. Everything else is arithmetic once those two are known. The rules hub explains each mechanism; the Pass Estimator runs a strategy against them. Which execution platform each firm runs on, and which bridge reaches it, is on the platforms and bridges reference — in 2026 that supplier layer ended more accounts than any single rule.

FAQ

Which prop firm is best for a systematic strategy?

The one whose funded-stage drawdown model and consistency rule match the strategy's return shape. There is no universal answer; the cards exist so the match can be checked line by line.

How often do these rules change?

Quarterly at the established firms, more often at newer ones. Each card carries its sources and verification date; rows change between checks.

Firm rules verified September 2026. Prop firm rules change frequently; confirm on the firm's site before purchasing an evaluation.

Rules hub →Pass Estimator →