The Funded Trader Review
VerifiedEst. 2021 · US · 110,000+ Discord
Final Verdict on The Funded Trader
The Funded Trader gives you one of the widest sets of challenge options in the industry, with account scaling that can reach $5 million and three platform choices. The range of evaluations is a plus, but it can also feel confusing, as rules and pricing aren't always consistent.
BPF Score
Trustpilot: 3/5
★ (22,000)
From $42
Challenge Types
1-step, 2-step
Profit Split
99%
Challenge Fees
Starting from $42
Trading Platforms
MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader
Independent Review
Our Rating
Challenges
Spreads
Markets
Payouts
Platforms
Trust
Pros
- 200K challenge accounts available
- Established Discord with 110,000+ members
- Scaling plan up to $5 million
- Profit splits up to 99% on most accounts
- Three platform choices: MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader
- Seven challenge types for flexibility
Cons
- Confusing challenge types with frequent rule changes
- Low TrustPilot score of 3.0/5 from 22,000+ reviews
- $25 fee for cTrader access
- No published spread data
- Higher commission fees ($4 per lot forex)
- Support response times of 1–3 days
Best For
Traders who want variety in challenge structures, large account sizes up to $200K, and long-term scaling potential up to $5 million
Not Ideal For
Traders needing transparent pricing, tight spreads, fast customer support, and consistent rules that don't change frequently
Our Take on The Funded Trader
With an overall score of 65/100, The Funded Trader lands in the middle of the pack. It stands out for the sheer number of challenges on offer and scaling that can reach $5 million, but it's not without issues. Support isn't 24/7, response times are often slow, and a low Trustpilot score shows the mixed reputation it has.
TFT offers decent market access, scaling up to $5 million, and profit splits that reach 99% on most accounts. Platform choice is solid with MT5, cTrader, and Match-Trader available. The main drawbacks are high commissions, no published spreads, and constant rule changes.
Key Facts
| Evaluation Types | 1-step, 2-step |
| Max Payout Split | 99% |
| Payout Schedule | Varies by challenge (7–30 days) |
| First Payout | After 7 days |
| Daily Drawdown | 5% |
| Max Drawdown | 10% |
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader |
| News Trading | Allowed |
| Weekend Holding | — |
| Copy Trading | — |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | Allowed |
| Trustpilot | 3/5 (22,000 reviews) |
Consistency Rule
Varies by challenge; Knight requires consistent profitable days spread over time
Challenge Accounts
You can select from eight different evaluation processes with The Funded Trader, and we found this overkill when testing the firm.
While they offer one, two, and three step options, we have noticed they change their challenge options all the time making it confusing for users as pricing and rules aren't consistent.
1 Step – Knight Challenge
Account sizes from $5,000 to $200,000 with fees from $42 to $549. 3% daily / 8% max drawdown, 10% profit target, payouts up to 99%.
1 Step – Knight Pro Challenge
Account sizes from $5,000 to $200,000 with fees from $42 to $549. 5% daily / 8% max drawdown, 10% profit target, payouts up to 99%.
1 Step – Classic Challenge
Account sizes from $25,000 to $200,000 with fees from $139 to $989. 3% daily / 6% max drawdown, 10% profit target, fixed 80% payout.
2 Step – Royal Challenge
Account sizes from $5,000 to $200,000 with fees from $79 to $1,100. 5% daily / 10% max drawdown, targets 8% then 5%, payouts up to 99%.
Optional 14-day withdrawal add-on available
2 Step – Royal Pro Challenge
Account sizes from $25,000 to $200,000 with fees from $55 to $579. 5% daily / 10% max drawdown, targets 8% then 5%, payouts up to 99%.
2 Step – Classic Challenge
Account sizes from $25,000 to $200,000 with fees from $129 to $949. 4% daily / 8% max drawdown, targets 8% then 5%, fixed 80% payout.
3 Step – Dragon Challenge
Account sizes from $5,000 to $100,000 with fees from $49 to $299. 5% daily / 10% max drawdown, targets 8%, 5%, 5%, payouts up to 99%.
Challenge Comparison
| Challenge | Account Sizes | Fees | Add-Ons | Drawdown Limits | Profit Target | Profit Payout | First Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Step – Knight | 5K – 200K | $42 – $549 | None | 3% Daily / 8% Max | 10% | Up to 99% | Anytime |
| 1 Step – Knight Pro | 5K – 200K | $42 – $549 | None | 5% Daily / 8% Max | 10% | Up to 99% | Anytime |
| 1 Step – Classic | 25K – 200K | $139 – $989 | None | 3% Daily / 6% Max | 10% | 80% | 7 Days |
| 2 Step – Royal | 5K – 200K | $79 – $1,100 | 14-Day Withdrawal | 5% Daily / 10% Max | 8%, then 5% | Up to 99% | 30 Days |
| 2 Step – Royal Pro | 25K – 200K | $55 – $579 | None | 5% Daily / 10% Max | 8%, then 5% | Up to 99% | 2 Days |
| 2 Step – Classic | 25K – 200K | $129 – $949 | None | 4% Daily / 8% Max | 8%, then 5% | 80% | 14 Days |
| 3 Step – Dragon | 5K – 100K | $49 – $299 | None | 5% Daily / 10% Max | 8%, 5%, 5% | Up to 99% | 7 Days |
1 One-Step Challenges
There are three one-step challenge models: Knight, Knight Pro, and Classic. Knight and Knight Pro accounts seem similar on the surface, but they differ a lot when it comes to consistency and drawdown rules, minimum trading days, and profit payouts.
Knight Challenge
The Knight Challenge is more forgiving because daily loss violations don't kill the account right away. Instead, you get a few chances before it's closed, but the trade-off is that it demands consistency. You need to show profitable days spread out over time, not just hit the profit target in one go. Payouts are available anytime, but early withdrawals come with limits.
Daily Drawdown
3%
Max Drawdown
8%
Profit Target
10%
Profit Payout
Up to 99%
Note: Requires consistency — profitable days must be spread over time, not hit in a single session.
Knight Pro Challenge
The Knight Pro is the most flexible. It doesn't force minimum trading days, needs fewer consistent winning days, and gives access to payouts without restrictions once you're profitable. The risk rules trail with your performance, which makes it tighter in the beginning but easier to manage long term once you build some cushion.
Daily Drawdown
5%
Max Drawdown
8%
Profit Target
10%
Profit Payout
Up to 99%
Classic 1-Step Challenge
The Classic account is the most rigid of the one-step options. It has a hard daily loss limit, so if you cross it once, the account is gone. It also makes you wait before your first payout and keeps profit splits lower compared to the others. On the other hand, it doesn't ask for any consistency rules, which makes it simpler to pass if you trade aggressively.
Daily Drawdown
3%
Max Drawdown
6%
Profit Target
10%
Profit Payout
80% (fixed)
Warning: Hard daily loss limit — one breach and the account is closed. Profit split stays fixed at 80% and does not scale.
2 Two-Step Challenges
The Funded Trader's two-step challenges are set up the same with three options: a Royal, Royal Pro, and Classic account.
Royal Challenge
The Royal Challenge is the most controlled as you're locked into hard loss limits, news trading isn't available, and payouts take longer unless you buy the add-on for 14-day profit payouts. It's best for methodical trading without shortcuts.
Daily Drawdown
5%
Max Drawdown
10%
Profit Targets
8%, then 5%
First Payout
30 Days
Restriction: News trading is not available on the Royal Challenge.
Royal Pro Challenge
The Royal Pro Challenge is a slightly more relaxed option as loss limits are softer with a few warnings allowed, news trading is available, and payouts are faster with a first payout in just 2 days.
Daily Drawdown
5%
Max Drawdown
10%
Profit Targets
8%, then 5%
First Payout
2 Days
Classic 2-Step Challenge
The Classic two-step comes with strict rules on daily losses, but there's no consistency requirement and you can trade news or run automated strategies.
Daily Drawdown
4%
Max Drawdown
8%
Profit Targets
8%, then 5%
Profit Payout
80% (fixed)
Note: Profit split stays fixed at 80% and does not scale higher. First payout after 14 days.
3 Three-Step Challenge – Dragon
The only three-step option at The Funded Trader is the Dragon Challenge. You don't have minimum or maximum trading days, and you're allowed to use automated strategies, but news trading is restricted.
Daily Drawdown
5%
Max Drawdown
10%
Profit Targets
8%, 5%, 5%
Account Sizes
5K – 100K
Fees
$49 – $299
Profit Payout
Up to 99%
First Payout
7 Days
Trading Days
No Min/Max
Dragon Challenge Highlights
No minimum or maximum trading days. Automated strategies (EAs) are allowed. News trading is restricted. Crypto leverage is 2:1 during the challenge, dropping to 1:1 when funded.
Scaling Plans
One of the biggest perks of The Funded Trader is the opportunity to scale your funded account to $5 million, one of the best scaling plans out. Your challenge type will determine the max you can scale to, but you can grow your account size by 25% every three months if you meet the requirements.
There are limits, with the max account size for Royal, Classic, Royal Pro, and Dragon accounts being $600,000. Knight and Knight Pro accounts allow for much larger growth, with the potential to scale up to $2.5 million funded and $5 million in total across challenge and funded accounts.
| Challenge Type | Max Scaling | Scaling Rate | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight / Knight Pro | $5,000,000 | 25% every 3 months | 6% profit maintained |
| Royal / Royal Pro / Classic / Dragon | $600,000 | 25% every 3 months | 6% profit maintained |
Verdict on TFT Challenges
The Funded Trader gives you one of the widest sets of challenge options in the industry, but the sheer number of options can feel confusing. Rules and pricing aren't always consistent across challenges, and TFT has a tendency to change them frequently. The scaling plan up to $5 million is a genuine standout, particularly for Knight and Knight Pro accounts.
Commission Fees & Pricing
We found it hard to pinpoint info on spreads as The Funded Trader doesn't publish any minimums or averages. This lack of transparency is a clear drawback compared to competitors who display their spread data upfront.
In terms of commission fees, forex trading is $4 per lot, but they don't exactly make it clear whether this is per side or round turn.
Commission Fees by Asset Class
| Asset Class | Commission per Lot |
|---|---|
| Forex | $4 |
| Metals | $1 |
| Oil | $0 (Commission Free) |
| Indices | $0 (Commission Free) |
| Crypto | $0 (Commission Free) |
Transparency Concern
The Funded Trader does not publish minimum or average spread data. It's also unclear whether the $4 forex commission is per side or round turn. This makes it difficult to accurately assess total trading costs before committing.
Verdict on Spreads & Commissions
The lack of published spread data is a significant drawback. Forex commissions at $4 per lot are higher than many competitors, and the ambiguity around per-side vs round-turn pricing doesn't help. Oil, indices, and crypto are commission-free, which is a plus, but without knowing the actual spreads, it's hard to calculate the real cost of trading with TFT.
Financial Markets & Leverage
You can trade just 48 different markets with The Funded Trader. It's not the most extensive range of trading products but it covers the basics with major forex pairs, a few commodities, some indices, and major cryptos like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Solana, and Ethereum.
Trading Instruments
| Markets | Forex | Commodities | Indices | Cryptocurrency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Instruments | 29 | 5 | 9 | 5 |
Maximum Leverage by Challenge Type
Leverage varies a lot between account types, but is consistent across challenges and funded accounts, with the exception of the Dragon Challenge where crypto leverage drops when funded.
| Challenge Type | Forex | Gold & Commodities | Indices | Crypto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challenge | 1:50 | 1:15 | 1:10 | 1:1 |
| Knight Challenge | 1:30 | 1:10 | 1:5 | 1:1 |
| Dragon Challenge | 1:100 | 1:30 | 1:20 | 1:2 / 1:1* |
| Knight Pro Challenge | 1:30 | 1:10 | 1:5 | 1:1 |
| Royal Pro Challenge | 1:30 | 1:10 | 1:5 | 1:1 |
| Classic 1-Step | 1:30 | 1:10 | 1:5 | 1:1 |
| Classic 2-Step | 1:50 | 1:15 | 1:10 | 1:1 |
* Dragon Challenge crypto leverage is 1:2 during the challenge and drops to 1:1 when funded.
Knight, Knight Pro, Royal Pro, and Classic 1-Step Challenges have max forex leverage of 1:30, commodities 1:10, indices 1:5, and crypto 1:1.
Royal and Classic 2-Step challenges have higher max leverage with 1:50 for forex, 1:15 for commodities, 1:10 for indices, and 1:1 for crypto.
The Dragon Challenge gives you much higher leverage of 1:100 for forex, 1:30 for commodities, 1:20 for indices, and crypto 1:2 for challenges and 1:1 for funded accounts.
Verdict on Markets & Leverage
With just 48 instruments, The Funded Trader's market range isn't the most extensive, but it covers the essentials across forex, commodities, indices, and crypto. Leverage varies significantly between challenge types, with the Dragon Challenge offering the highest at 1:100 for forex. The inconsistency in leverage across accounts adds to the overall complexity of choosing the right challenge.
Trading Platforms
Three trading platforms are available with MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, and Match-Trader. If you live in the US you won't get access to MT5, but everyone outside will be able to choose between the three options.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
MT5 is only available if you're outside the USA. It's the standard option most will already know, with a wide range of indicators and charting tools. If you want something reliable and straightforward, MT5 does the job without much of a learning curve.
cTrader
cTrader is available via Voyage Markets for traders outside the US. It's a step up in terms of charting and order execution, with more flexibility for custom layouts and advanced analysis. If you like depth and a modern interface, cTrader is the stronger pick.
Match-Trader
Match-Trader is the simplest of the three. It's globally available and built for ease of use rather than complexity. You get the essentials with basic charting, common order types, and simple layouts, which works if you don't need heavy customisation.
US Traders
If you're based in the United States, your only option is Match-Trader. MT5 and cTrader are not available for US-based traders.
Verdict on Trading Platforms
Having three platform options is solid, though the $25 cTrader fee and US restrictions on MT5 reduce the flexibility. Match-Trader is the simplest and most accessible, while cTrader offers the most advanced features for experienced traders. MT5 sits in the middle as a reliable, familiar choice.
Payments & Profit Payout
The Funded Trader accepts a wide mix of payment methods for challenge fees, including cards, Google Pay, e-wallets, and major cryptocurrencies. Payouts are mainly through Rise (Riseworks), with options for bank transfer, crypto, and local currency once you complete verification.
Max Profit Split
Up to 99%
Classic Split
80% (fixed)
Processing Time
3–5 Business Days
Primary Payout
Rise (Riseworks)
Challenge Fee Payment Methods
You can pay for challenges using:
Credit/Debit Cards
Visa, Mastercard, and other major providers.
Google Pay
Linked through your wallet for quicker checkout.
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether via ERC20 and Polygon networks.
E-Wallets
Astropay, Skrill, and Neteller if you prefer alternatives.
Profit Payouts
Once funded, you request payouts directly from your Trade Hub dashboard. Payments are reviewed for rule compliance and processed within 3 to 5 business days.
Rise (Riseworks)
Primary payout option supporting local bank transfers, currency conversions, and crypto withdrawals. KYC verification required.
Crypto
If Rise isn't supported in your region, withdraw in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDC via ERC-20 and Polygon.
First Payout Eligibility by Challenge
Payout eligibility depends on your challenge type. Some accounts allow you to withdraw profits almost immediately, while others set waiting periods.
| Challenge Type | First Payout | Subsequent Payouts |
|---|---|---|
| Knight / Knight Pro | Anytime | 7–14 day cycles |
| Classic 1-Step | 7 Days | 7–14 day cycles |
| Dragon | 7 Days | 7–14 day cycles |
| Classic 2-Step | 14 Days | 7–14 day cycles |
| Royal | 30 Days | 14-day add-on available |
| Royal Pro | 2 Days | 7–14 day cycles |
Verdict on Payments & Payouts
The wide range of payment methods for challenge fees is a plus, and profit splits that reach 99% on most accounts are competitive. However, the Classic challenges remaining fixed at 80% and the 30-day wait for Royal payouts are notable limitations. Processing times of 3–5 business days are standard but not best-in-class.
Customer Service & Education
The Funded Trader's customer support and educational resources are fairly limited, especially compared to competitors that provide more robust service and training options. While their YouTube channel has a strong following, support availability and educational depth could be improved.
Customer Support
The Funded Trader lacks 24/7 support, with live chat responses taking 1–3 days, even mid-week, which may be a concern for users needing quicker assistance. They do not heavily promote customer service options, and minimal contact details are offered beyond email and a Discord community.
Live Chat
Available but response times are 1–3 days, not suitable for urgent queries.
No 24/7 Support
No round-the-clock availability. Contact is limited to email and Discord community.
Educational Resources
Their YouTube channel is the primary educational resource, with over 103,000 subscribers and a mix of webinars and trading advice videos.
While the channel covers various topics, The Funded Trader does not provide a structured educational portal or dedicated learning materials on its site outside of social media and podcasts.
YouTube Channel
103,000+ subscribers with webinars, trading advice, and market analysis content.
On-Site Education
No structured portal. Limited to social media, podcasts, and blog posts.
Verdict on Customer Service & Education
The Funded Trader has an active YouTube presence, but its limited support options and sparse educational resources make it less competitive in this area. Traders requiring hands-on support or extensive educational content might find the current offerings insufficient. The 1–3 day response times for live chat are a significant drawback.
Trust & Community
The Funded Trader has a mixed reputation. Its Trustpilot score sits at 3.0/5 stars from more than 22,000 reviews, with recurring complaints about payout delays, account breaches, and sudden rule changes. Positive feedback highlights the Discord community and promotions, but the negatives tend to focus on consistency and communication.
Unlike prop trading firms tied to established brokers such as IC Funded or DNA Funded, TFT runs independently. For some that raises questions around credibility and stability, especially when combined with shifting policies.
Trustpilot Reviews
3.0/5
TrustScore
Based on 22,000+ reviews on Trustpilot. Recurring complaints about payout delays, account breaches, and sudden rule changes. Positive reviews highlight the community and promotional offers.
Trading Community
On the community side, the numbers are strong. The Discord server has more than 110,000 members and posts payout proofs, announcements, and trader interaction. Their social media also has a lot of followers, but engagement often circles back to the same concerns — slow payouts and lack of direct support.
110,000+
Discord Members
3.0/5
Trustpilot Score
22,000+
Trustpilot Reviews
Reputation Concerns
TFT runs independently without being backed by an established broker. Combined with frequent rule changes and a 3.0/5 Trustpilot score, this raises questions about long-term stability and reliability for some traders.
Verdict on Trust & Community
The Funded Trader has a large and active community, particularly on Discord, but the mixed Trustpilot reviews and lack of broker-backing raise legitimate concerns. The firm's tendency to change rules frequently doesn't help build trust. While the community numbers are strong, the quality of the feedback suggests ongoing issues with payouts and transparency that prospective traders should weigh carefully.
Final Verdict on The Funded Trader
The Funded Trader gives you one of the widest sets of challenge options in the industry, with account scaling that can reach $5 million and three platform choices. The range of evaluations is a plus, but it can also feel confusing, as rules and pricing aren't always consistent.
On the positive side, payout splits are competitive, scaling up to 99% for most accounts, and payouts are processed in 3 to 5 business days. The main exception is the Classic challenges, which remain fixed at 80%.
Where TFT falls short is in transparency and reliability. Spreads aren't published, commission fees are higher than many competitors, and support is limited to slower response times. Add to that a mixed Trustpilot score and frequent reports of payout delays, and you're left with a prop firm that offers strong upside but comes with risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Sources
- https://thefundedtrader.com
Last reviewed 2026-02-24 · Data verified 2026-02-24