Account lifecycle · 2 min read

Funded account

A funded account is the post-evaluation account on which a trader's profits become withdrawable, subject to a profit split and the firm's funded-stage rules.

How it works

At most futures firms it remains a simulated account whose results are mirrored by the firm; the payout is a contractual obligation rather than a withdrawal of trading proceeds. Rules at this stage often differ from the evaluation: contract caps may be lower under a scaling plan, drawdown models sometimes switch, and consistency requirements frequently apply only here.

Why it matters on a funded account

The funded stage is where the account's economics finally matter, and it is where a strategy tuned to evaluation rules can discover it is running against a different rule set.

Evaluation vs funded account: what changes at each of the 40 firms

A funded account is not the evaluation with a payout button. At most firms the drawdown model, the consistency check and the automation policy change the day the account converts; the table lists the four rules that change most often, from the rules cards (verified September 2026).

Firm	Type	Drawdown (evaluation)	Drawdown (funded)	Consistency	Automation
Apex Trader Funding	futures	EOD or intraday (separate products)	Same as purchased	50% at PA payout	Eval yes; funded semi-auto only
Topstep	futures	EOD (MLL)	EOD	50% of target (Combine)	Yes (no HFT)
MyFundedFutures	futures	EOD (Pro, Builder, Rapid, Rapid EOD); legacy Flex static	EOD locks at +$100; standard Rapid intraday until locked	Eval 50% Rapid/Pro, 30% Rapid EOD, none Builder; funded none (Builder 50%)	Yes
Tradeify	futures	EOD	EOD (Select)	Growth: none eval, 35% funded; Select: 40% eval, none funded; Lightning 20/25/30% by payout	Yes (no HFT)
Lucid Trading	futures	EOD (Pro/Flex/Direct)	EOD (Pro, Flex, Direct); intraday (Daily)	Pro: none eval, 40% funded; Flex/Daily: 50% eval, none funded; Direct 20%	Yes
Take Profit Trader	futures	EOD trailing (Test)	Intraday (PRO); EOD (PRO+)	50% (Test); none on PRO	Bots prohibited on PRO
TradeDay	futures	Trailing: intraday or EOD (Quick Pay), EOD (Fast Pass)	Same; fixed at starting balance from first payout	Eval 30% (Quick Pay) / 45% (Fast Pass); funded none, except Fast Pass from 26 Jul 2026 (45%)	Verify with firm
Alpha Futures	futures	EOD (all plans)	EOD	Eval: none Zero, 50% Standard, 40% Advanced; Qualified: 40% Zero/Standard, none Advanced, 20% Direct	Verify with firm
FTMO	forex	Static 10% (2-Step); EOD trailing 10% (1-Step)	Static	2-Step: none (MetriX review); 1-Step: 50% Best Day	EAs, own logic
FundingPips	forex	Static 6–12% by program; Zero 5% intraday trail	Same as evaluation	None (eval); 35% On Demand; 15% Zero	EAs all programs (Apr 2026)
Bulenox	futures	Option 1 intraday trailing; Option 2 EOD + DLL	Same as purchased; locks at start + $100	None (eval); 40% at Master payout	EAs, bots, copiers allowed in writing
Phidias	futures	Static (Express to Live); EOD trailing (Fundamental, Premium)	Static (E2L); EOD, stops at start + $100 (Cash)	None eval; 30% on Cash (Fundamental, Premium)	Semi-automated only; no full automation or HFT
Top One Futures	futures	EOD trailing (all current programs); S2F legacy intraday	Closing balance or EOD by program	Elite Daily 40% eval only; Elite Access 40% funded only; Instant 20%; Ignite 15%; legacy Elite 25% funded	Prohibited
Funded Futures Family	futures	EOD (Prime, S2F); EOD or intraday (Premier+); intraday (Velocity)	EOD (Prime, Premier+, S2F Standard); intraday (Velocity)	Funded: 40% Prime/Velocity/Premier+ (from 9 Sep 2026); 25% S2F	Prohibited (EAs, bots, copiers)
FundedNext Futures	futures	Trailing — verify	Verify with firm	Flex: 40% challenge, none funded	EAs on MT4/MT5 with fee; not cTrader
Maven Trading	forex	Static 3–8% by program	8% trailing from highest equity; 4% daily EOD	20% on Instant and funded	EAs prohibited on all platforms
FundedNext (CFD)	cfd	Static 10% (2-Step), 6% (1-Step), 8% (Lite); Instant 6% trailing	Same as challenge	Trackers disagree; verify	EAs on MT4/MT5, not cTrader
The5ers	cfd	Static 10% (High Stakes), 6% (Hyper/Pro Growth), 5% (Bootcamp)	Same model	None	Allowed, no HFT
E8 Markets	cfd	Dynamic: intraday trailing (E8 One/Classic/Track), EOD (Signature); 4% to 14% customizable	Same; E8 One widens 1% per payout to 14%; Signature turns static at buffer	None eval; Best Day 40% (One/Classic/Track), 35% (Signature) at payout	Allowed, unique strategy, no HFT
Alpha Capital Group	cfd	Static 6-10% (Pro), 10% (Swing), 6% (Three); trailing 6% (One)	Same model and levels	None eval; 40% Best Day only on On-Demand payouts	Allowed, scalping approved
Blue Guardian	cfd	6% EOD trailing, locks at start + $100 at 6% profit (8% balance-based on some evals)	Same model	Instant 20%; Guardian funded 30%; 2-Step Pro funded 25%; standard 14-day models none	Allowed, scalping allowed
GOAT Funded Trader	cfd	Static 10% (2-Step), 6% (1-Step); trailing 6% Instant, 8% Pay Later	Static carries over; Instant/Pay Later 6% trailing EOD	Funded only: 15% standard/Instant GOAT; 20% Instant Pro, Pay Later (30% from 5 Sep 2026); none Instant Premium	Allowed, no commercial EAs, no HFT
BrightFunded	cfd	Static 10% (2-Step Classic); 6% trailing locking at +6% (1-Step)	Same model	None at any stage	Allowed on MT5, no HFT
Funded Trading Plus	cfd	6% trailing balance-based (1-Step); 8% static (2-Step); 6% trailing with Smart lock (Instant)	Same or slightly tighter	Instant 50% from day one; 1-Step 35% eval, 50% funded; 2-Step disputed	Allowed on MatchTrader, no HFT
FXIFY	cfd	Static (1/3-Phase, 2-Phase Classic); trailing (2-Phase Standard, Lightning, Instant)	Same; Classic locks on first payout	Disputed: none vs 25-30%	Yes on 1/2/3-Phase; not Lightning or Instant
Instant Funding	cfd	Smart DD 10% tightening to 5% at +5% (Instant); 4% EOD trailing (Evolve)	Same	40% Best Day (Evolve, 1/2-Phase); 15-25% on IF1 / Micro	Self-developed EAs only
FunderPro	cfd	Static balance-based 6-10%	Same	Classic none; One Phase and Pro 40-45%	Allowed, no HFT
The Trading Pit	cfd	Static 10% (CFD Prime)	Same	Disputed: 40% vs none	Allowed per trackers; verify
City Traders Imperium	cfd	Static (Instant, 2-Step, Direct); 5% trailing (1-Step)	Same	Not published clearly	Allowed; source code verified once funded
TX3 Funding (ex-TopTier)	cfd	10% maximum; daily on EOD equity	Same	40% at payout	Add-on only; no Martingale
Funded Trader Markets	cfd	1-step balance-based trailing; 2-step static (reported)	Same	All funded: 20% on instant, higher elsewhere	Verify with firm
Ment Funding	cfd	6% static	Same	None	Custom EAs allowed; commercial bots banned
PipFarm	cfd	12% trailing / 6% static (1-Step); 9% static (2-Step); Instant 6% trailing	Same	50% challenges; 25% Instant	cTrader automation
FTUK	cfd	Instant 6% relative; One Step 8% relative; Two Step 10%/5% static; Instant SIM EOD trailing	Same	Score 20%+ by product (advertised as none on one page)	Allowed
Earn2Trade	futures	EOD trailing	Partner account	30% evaluation only	Verify wording
Leeloo Trading	futures	Trailing or static by type	Same; Investor PA cap does not expand	30% on the PA with manual review	Verify
Elite Trader Funding	futures	Trailing (1-Step, EOD, Diamond Hands); static (Static)	Same	40% on Fast Track	Verify
OneUp Trader	futures	Real-time trailing, locks at starting balance	Partner-governed	80% three-best-days rule, evaluation only	Verify (copy in own name allowed)
TickTick Trader	futures	EOD trailing (TickTick Drawdown)	Static (reported)	30% evaluations and Performance; 20% Direct	Banned
UProfit	futures	EOD Pro Drawdown (DAY); $1,000 static (ONE 50K)	Same; resets to $0 after first payout	30% evaluation only (DAY); 50% (ONE)	Verify

Source: Puravida Edge rules cards, 40 futures and CFD prop firms, verified 29 September 2026.

Stage names differ by firm (Performance Account, Express Funded, XFA, sim-funded, Live) but the mechanics above are what decide whether a strategy survives; the 40-firm comparison has every column.

FAQ

What is a funded account in trading?

The account a trader receives after passing a prop firm evaluation. Profits made on it are paid out under a profit split; at most futures firms it is still a simulated account whose payouts are a contractual obligation of the firm, not a withdrawal of trading proceeds.

Is a funded account real money?

Usually not at futures firms: the funded stage is simulated and the firm pays from its own funds; some firms later move consistent traders to a live account. CFD firms vary and state it in their terms.

What is the difference between a funded account and an evaluation?

The evaluation tests you against a target and a drawdown; the funded account removes the target but often adds payout gates: minimum winning days, a consistency check at payout, a buffer above the floor and, at several firms, a ban on fully automated execution.