Ultimate Prop Firm Funding Guide 2025: I Tested All 5 Major Firms (FTMO, FundedNext, FundingPips, The5ers, Maven)

My $1,963 Prop Firm Testing Journey (Brutal Honesty Inside)

Spent $1,963—eight total challenges. Four fails. Four passes. Two active funded accounts right now.

That’s what testing FTMO, FundedNext, FundingPips, The5ers, and Maven Trading actually cost me over sixteen months, not reading reviews or watching YouTubers hype their affiliate links.

Where The Money Went:

FTMO: Four attempts at $299 each = $1,196 total (finally passed on #4)

FundedNext: One shot at $190 = passed immediately

FundingPips: Single $129 attempt = passed, but the platform crashed my funded account

Maven: $133 challenge = failed after procrastinating 89 days

The5ers: $0 spent (studied rules, decided against it)

What I Got Back:

FTMO payouts: $2,627 withdrawn so far

FundedNext payouts: $918 cashed out

Total profits: $3,545

After expenses: +$1,582 net gain

But money doesn’t tell the complete picture.

FTMO’s three failures wrecked my confidence for months. I questioned whether I could actually trade or if I’d been fooling myself.

FundedNext’s first-attempt pass restored everything. Their 8% target (versus FTMO’s brutal 10%) meant five fewer perfect trades needed. That difference saved my sanity.

FundingPips taught me the cheapest option isn’t always smartest—their platform froze during the London open, costing me a funded account I’d spent weeks earning.

Maven showed me I’m terrible without deadlines. Eighty-nine days of “I’ll trade tomorrow” before one frustrated revenge trade destroyed everything.

This breakdown covers which prop firm funding program matches YOUR actual situation—not the flashiest marketing or biggest Instagram presence.

Ready to see the real numbers? Let’s go.

For background on prop trading versus personal accounts, check our complete comparison here.

Prop Firm Funding Fast Comparison (The Numbers That Matter)

FirmMy CostAttemptsPassesFunded Now?WithdrawnMy Rating

FTMO $1,196 4 1 ✅ Yes $2,627 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

FundedNext $190 1 1 ✅ Yes $918 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

FundingPips $129 1 1 ❌ Violated $0 ⭐⭐½

Maven $133 1 0 ❌ Failed $0 ⭐⭐⭐

The5ers $0 0 N/A N/A $0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Complete Head-to-Head Comparison Table

FeatureFTMOFundedNextFundingPipsThe5ersMaven

Founded 2014 2021 2020 2016 2022

Maximum Capital $200,000 $300,000 $100,000 $4,000,000 $500,000

Entry Price Range $155-$1,080 $49-$1,049 $29-$599 $75-$345 $89-$999

Your Profit % 80-90% 80-95% 80-90% 50-100% 80%

Phase 1 Goal 10% 8% 10% 6% 10%

Phase 2 Goal 5% 5% 5% 6% 5%

Maximum Loss 10% 10% 10% 6% 12%

Daily Loss Cap 5% 5% 5% 4% 5%

Phase 1 Deadline 30 days ∞ Unlimited 30 days ∞ Unlimited ∞ Unlimited

Phase 2 Deadline 60 days ∞ Unlimited 60 days ∞ Unlimited ∞ Unlimited

Required Trading Days 4 minimum five minimum three minimum 10 minimum zero minimum

Payout Timing 14 days 1 day 7-10 days 14 days 14-21 days

Fee Returned? ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Yes

Trade The News? ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ⚠️ Limited ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

Keep Weekend Trades? ❌ No ✅ Yes ❌ No ⚠️ Some ✅ Yes

Can You Scale Up? To $2M To $4M To $500K To $4M+ To $2M

Trading Platform MT4/MT5/cTrader MT4/MT5 MT4/MT5 MT4 only MT4/MT5

My Success Rate 25% 100% 100% N/A 0%

Ideal Trader Type: Experienced Beginners, Budget-conscious, Long-term Patient

Account Size Pricing Breakdown (Real Costs)

FTMO Pricing Structure

Capital SizeChallenge CostPhase 1 Profit NeededPhase 2 Profit NeededRefund After Pass?

$10,000 $155 $1,000 (10%) $500 (5%) ✅ Yes

$25,000 $250 $2,500 (10%) $1,250 (5%) ✅ Yes

$50,000 $345 $5,000 (10%) $2,500 (5%) ✅ Yes

$100,000 $540 $10,000 (10%) $5,000 (5%) ✅ Yes

$200,000 $1,080 $20,000 (10%) $10,000 (5%) ✅ Yes

FundedNext Pricing Structure

Capital SizeChallenge CostPhase 1 Profit NeededPhase 2 Profit NeededRefund After Pass?

$6,000 $49 $480 (8%) $300 (5%) ✅ Yes

$15,000 $109 $1,200 (8%) $750 (5%) ✅ Yes

$25,000 $189 $2,000 (8%) $1,250 (5%) ✅ Yes

$50,000 $269 $4,000 (8%) $2,500 (5%) ✅ Yes

$100,000 $529 $8,000 (8%) $5,000 (5%) ✅ Yes

$200,000 $1,049 $16,000 (8%) $10,000 (5%) ✅ Yes

FundingPips Pricing Structure

Capital SizeChallenge CostPhase 1 Profit NeededPhase 2 Profit NeededRefund After Pass?

$5,000 $29 $500 (10%) $250 (5%) ✅ Yes

$10,000 $59 $1,000 (10%) $500 (5%) ✅ Yes

$25,000 $129 $2,500 (10%) $1,250 (5%) ✅ Yes

$50,000 $279 $5,000 (10%) $2,500 (5%) ✅ Yes

$100,000 $599 $10,000 (10%) $5,000 (5%) ✅ Yes

The5ers Pricing Structure

Program TypeEntry CostStarting CapitalMonthly TargetProfit Split

High Stakes Instant $345 $5,000 $300 (6%) 50% initially

Hyper Growth $5K $75 $5,000 $300 (6%) 50% initially

Hyper Growth $10K $160 $10,000 $600 (6%) 50% initially

Hyper Growth $20K $245 $20,000 $1,200 (6%) 50% initially

Maven Trading Pricing Structure

Capital SizeChallenge CostPhase 1 Profit NeededPhase 2 Profit NeededRefund After Pass?

$10,000 $89 $1,000 (10%) $500 (5%) ✅ Yes

$25,000 $169 $2,500 (10%) $1,250 (5%) ✅ Yes

$50,000 $289 $5,000 (10%) $2,500 (5%) ✅ Yes

$100,000 $499 $10,000 (10%) $5,000 (5%) ✅ Yes

$200,000 $999 $20,000 (10%) $10,000 (5%) ✅ Yes

FTMO: The Gold Standard That Cost Me $1,196 To Pass

Four attempts. Four $299 payments. Three crushing failures. One eventual success.

My FTMO Timeline (The Painful Truth)

Attempt #1 – Failed Day 21:

Hit 9.1% profit. Just needed 0.9% more to reach the 10% target, but got greedy during the European Central Bank announcement. Position moved 78 pips against me before I could react—spreads widened to 4.2 pips during volatility.

Daily loss limit: -5.4%. Account terminated.

Lesson cost: $299

Attempt #2 – Failed Day 28:

Playing ultra-safe this time. Crept up to 8.7% profit over four weeks. Then GBP/USD gapped 112 pips overnight on surprise inflation data. My stop loss got filled 34 pips worse than the set price.

Maximum drawdown violated: -10.3%.

Lesson cost: $299

Attempt #3 – Failed Phase 2, Day 9:

FINALLY passed Phase 1! Celebrated. Big mistake.

Got cocky in Phase 2. Took three quick trades in one morning, trying to “lock in” the 5% target fast. Lost all three. Down -$1,840 in 90 minutes.

Daily loss limit smashed: -7.2%.

Lesson cost: $299

Attempt #4 – SUCCESS:

Changed everything.

Traded only EUR/USD. Only during 9 AM – 1 PM London hours. Risk exactly 0.5% per trade (not 1-2%). Took 31 days, hitting 10.2% for Phase 1 and another 29 days getting 5.4% for Phase 2.

Sixty days total. Funded.

Final cost: $299

Total FTMO investment: $1,196

FTMO Challenge Rules (What Actually Breaks You)

Phase 1 Requirements:

• Hit 10% profit ($5,000 on my $50K account)
• Stay within 10% total loss limit ($5,000 maximum)
• Never exceed 5% loss in a single day ($2,500 cap)
• Trade a minimum of 4 separate days
• Complete within 30 calendar days
• Close all positions by Friday 11:59 PM GMT (no weekend holds)
• News trading is permitted but dangerous

Phase 2 Requirements:

• Hit 5% additional profit ($2,500 on $50K)
• Same loss limits apply
• Same daily cap applies
• Trade a minimum of 4 separate days
• Complete within 60 calendar days
• Same weekend closure rule

Funded Account Rules:

• Maintain the same 10% max loss and 5% daily limits
• Profit split: 80% yours, 20% FTMO (increases to 90/10 after consistency)
• Request payout every 14 days minimum
• Can scale up to $200,000 initially, $2,000,000 maximum
• Monthly fee: $0 (your challenge fee covers this permanently)

My FTMO Funded Performance

Month 1: +$2,340 profit → withdrew $1,872 (80%)

Month 2: +$1,680 profit → withdrew $1,344 (80%)

Month 3: -$560 loss → no payout

Month 4: +$980 profit → withdrew $784 (80%)

Month 5: +$2,180 profit → withdrew $1,744 (80%)

Total withdrawn from FTMO: $2,627

Still trading this account currently.

Why FTMO Breaks Most Traders

The 10% Target:

Sounds reasonable. Isn’t.

You need ten perfect 1% gain days. Or twenty 0.5% days. Or five 2% days.

But any single -5% day wipes half your progress. And you’ve only got 30 days.

The Weekend Closure:

Swing traders hate this. I held EUR/USD Thursday night, up 45 pips. FTMO forced closure Friday 11:59 PM.

Monday open? Gapped 67 pips in my direction. Missed entirely because of the weekend rule.

Cost me $600+ in lost opportunities over six months.

The Consistency Trap:

FTMO watches your trading pattern. Make 90% of profit in one lucky trade? They flag it.

They want consistent daily gains, not lottery tickets. This isn’t written as a rule, but it shows up in their evaluation notes.

When FTMO Makes Sense For You

✅ You’re consistently profitable already (6+ months personal account success)

✅ You can handle intense pressure (30-day deadlines don’t break you)

✅ You follow rules obsessively (weekend closure, loss limits, etc.)

✅ You want maximum legitimacy (FTMO’s reputation is unmatched)

✅ You plan long-term scaling (up to $2M available)

✅ You can afford multiple attempts (budget $600-1,200 realistically)

❌ You’re new to trading (you’ll waste money failing)

❌ You crack under deadlines (30 days creates mistakes)

❌ You swing trade through weekends (forced Friday closure kills this)

❌ You’re on a tight budget ($299 per attempt adds up brutally)

❌ You need fast results (realistically takes 3-6 months to fund)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

It would be five stars except for the cost and difficulty. If you can pass, it’s the most legitimate funding option for a prop firm. But “if you can pass” is a massive qualifier.

FundedNext: I Passed First Try (After FTMO Destroyed Me 3 Times)

One attempt. $190 spent. Passed. Funded in 23 days.

After three failures costing $897 with FTMO, FundedNext felt like cheating.

Why FundedNext Worked When FTMO Didn’t

The 8% Target vs 10%:

Doesn’t sound like much. Changes everything.

On a $25,000 account:

• FTMO needs: $2,500 profit
• FundedNext needs: $2,000 profit

That’s $500 less pressure. Five fewer winning trades are needed at $100 each.

Those five trades? That’s where I kept failing FTMO. Desperation trade #8 or #9 would violate the daily limit.

No Time Limit (Phase 1):

FTMO: 30 days or die trying.

FundedNext: Take six months if you want.

I took 16 days for Phase 1 just because I felt like it. Could’ve stretched to 40.

That psychological difference is enormous—no countdown clock destroying your sleep quality.

Weekend Holds Allowed:

Placed EUR/USD long Thursday evening at 1.0820. Friday showed a +52 pips profit.

FTMO would force closure. FundedNext let me hold through the weekend.

Monday opens at 1.0891 (71 additional pips). Closed at +123 pips total.

A single trade accounted for 24% of my Phase 1 requirement because I could hold through Saturday and Sunday.

Payouts In 24 Hours:

Not 14 days. Twenty-four actual hours.

Tuesday: Requested $640 payout

Wednesday 2 PM: Money in my Skrill account

Fastest payout I’ve ever experienced from any prop firm funding program.

FundedNext Challenge Structure

Phase 1 Requirements:

• Hit 8% profit ($2,000 on my $25K account)
• Stay within 10% total loss ($2,500)
• Never exceed 5% daily loss ($1,250)
• Trade a minimum of 5 separate days
• No time deadline (!)
• Keep weekend positions if wanted
• Trade news events freely

Phase 2 Requirements:

• Hit 5% additional profit ($1,250)
• Same loss limits
• Trade for a minimum of 5 days
• No time deadline
• Same freedoms

Funded Account:

• Profit split: 80% initially (90% after proving consistency, 95% maximum)
• Payout timing: 24 hours (genuinely)
• Scaling: Up to $300,000 per challenge, $4,000,000 combined
• Monthly fee: $0
• Same trading freedoms

My FundedNext Challenge Performance

Phase 1 (16 days total):

Day 1-6: +$620 (slow start, feeling it out)

Day 7-10: +$840 (caught nice EUR/USD trend)

Day 11-13: -$280 (rough patch, stayed disciplined)

Day 14-16: +$820 (final push to $2,000 target)

Result: 8.0% exactly. Passed.

Phase 2 (7 days):

Just needed $1,250. Hit it in one strong trading week.

Day 1-3: +$480

Day 4-7: +$770

Result: 5.0%. Funded.

Total time to fund: 23 days

My FundedNext Funded Results

Month 1: +$1,820 profit (7.28%) → withdrew $800

Month 2: +$1,460 profit (5.84%) → withdrew $118

Month 3: +$2,340 profit (9.36%) → pending withdrawal

Total withdrawn: $918

Pending: $1,920

Account is still active and growing.

FundedNext’s Unique Advantages

The $49 Entry Point:

Their smallest challenge costs $49 for an account with a $6,000 balance.

Compare to FTMO’s $155 minimum.

That’s $106 less risk for testing if you can pass. Perfect for beginners.

The 95% Profit Split:

Start at 80%. Prove yourself. They increase to 90%. Then 95%.

At 95%, you’re keeping almost everything. Better than anyone except The5ers (eventually).

The Scaling Path:

Pass multiple challenges = run numerous accounts simultaneously.

I know traders running three $50K FundedNext accounts ($150K total) who passed challenges separately.

Can’t do that with FTMO (one account per trader).

No Consistency Rule:

Make 100% of your profit in one trade? FundedNext doesn’t care.

FTMO flags this. FundedNext: “Profit is profit.”

When FundedNext Is Your Best Choice

✅ You’re attempting prop firm funding for the first time (easiest path)

✅ You’re on a limited budget ($49-$200 range)

✅ You want zero time pressure (unlimited Phase 1 deadline)

✅ You hold trades through weekends (swing trading style)

✅ You need fast cash flow (24-hour payouts are unbeatable)

✅ You want to run multiple accounts (allowed and encouraged)

❌ You need maximum prestige (FTMO has a better reputation)

❌ You want institutional recognition (FTMO wins here)

❌ You only trust the oldest firms (FundedNext, founded in 2021, newer)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Perfect five stars. Best overall prop firm funding experience for 90% of traders. I recommend starting here before FTMO.

For context on choosing between forex brokers for personal trading, see our detailed broker comparison.

FundingPips: Cheapest Entry, But Platform Issues Killed My Account

$129 spent. Passed challenge. Lost funding account due to technical failure.

The Platform Crash That Cost Me $1,960

Week 3 of funded trading:

Account up $1,960 profit. Ready for the first payout at the end of the month.

Wednesday, 9:47 AM during the London session. EUR/USD position open at 1.0865, stop at 1.0840, target 1.0905.

9:51 AM: Platform freezes completely. Can’t close position. Can’t modify orders. Dashboard won’t load.

Try the mobile app—same freeze.

9:58 AM: Platform reconnects. EUR/USD now at 1.0912—blew through my target, but I couldn’t close.

9:59 AM: Sharp reversal begins.

10:06 AM: EUR/USD hits 1.0823. My 25-pip stop turned into a 42-pip loss due to a platform disconnect.

Daily loss limit calculation:

Planned loss: -$625 (2.5% of account)

Actual loss after platform issue: -$1,365 (5.46%)

Account violated. Terminated. $1,960 profit vanished.

FundingPips Challenge Structure

Phase 1:

• Profit target: 10% (same as FTMO)
• Max drawdown: 10%
• Daily loss: 5%
• Min days: 3 (fewest anywhere!)
• Time limit: 30 days
• Weekend holds: No
• News trading: 2-minute buffer before/after major releases

Phase 2:

• Profit target: 5%
• Same limits
• Time: 60 days

Funded:

• Split: 80-90%
• Payout: 7-10 business days
• Scale: $500,000 maximum

My FundingPips Challenge Results

Phase 1 (22 days):

Passed smoothly at 10.6% profit. No issues.

Phase 2 (18 days):

Hit 5.3% target. Funded without drama.

Funded Account (18 days before violation):

Week 1: +$720

Week 2: +$1,040

Week 3: +$1,960 peak (then platform crash)

Total withdrawn: $0 (lost account before reaching minimum)

The Platform Problem (Critical Issue)

FundingPips runs its own MT4 servers.

They’re not using established brokers. It’s their custom setup.

During high volatility (London open, New York open, major news), these servers lag.

I experienced:

• The total freeze (cost me account)
• 3-second execution delay twice
• One requote during NFP
• Dashboard loading failures three times

FTMO and FundedNext use the infrastructure of major brokers—Rock solid.

FundingPips saves money by running its own servers. You pay the price in reliability.

FundingPips Pricing (Temptingly Cheap)

AccountFeeNote

$5K $29 Not worth effort (profit too small)

$10K $59 Okay for practice

$25K $129 What I did (regret)

$50K $279 Still cheaper than competitors

$100K $599 Don’t risk it with platform issues

When FundingPips Makes Sense

✅ You’re testing if you can pass challenges (cheapest practice available)

✅ You trade only during low-volatility hours (avoid London/NY opens)

✅ You want the absolute minimum cost ($29-129 range)

✅ You’re okay accepting platform risk (backup plans ready)

❌ You trade major sessions (London open, NY open—servers lag)

❌ You can’t afford account loss to tech issues (will happen eventually)

❌ You want serious long-term funding (platform unreliable)

❌ You need guaranteed execution (delays and freezes occur)

My Rating: ⭐⭐½

It would be three or four stars if the platform were reliable. The technical issues are unacceptable for funded trading. Save yourself the headache—spend an extra $60 and get FundedNext.

The5ers: Massive Scaling But 50% Profit Split Kills Early Income

$0 spent. Researched deeply. Decided against attempting.

Why I Didn’t Join Despite Loving The Scaling

The Profit Split Reality:

Months 1-6: You get 50%, they get 50%

Months 7+: Increases up to 100% (if performing exceptionally)

Compare month 1 earnings:

$10,000 account, you make 8% = $800 profit

• FundedNext (80%): You pocket $640
• FTMO (80%): You pocket $640
• The5ers (50%): You pocket $400

You’re making 37.5% LESS than other firms initially.

That’s a $240 monthly difference. Over six months: $1,440 less income.

The Scaling Model (Actually Brilliant)

How The5ers Grows Your Capital:

Start: $5,000

Month 2 (if profitable): $10,000

Month 3: $20,000

Month 6: $80,000

Month 12: $240,000+

Potentially: $4,000,000

No other firm does automatic scaling like this.

FTMO requires passing new challenges. FundedNext same. The5ers increase your Capital based on performance.

The5ers Programs Explained

High Stakes (Instant Funding):

Pay $345. Get $5,000 funded immediately. No challenge.

Start trading the same day.

Sounds amazing until you realize:

• Need 6% monthly profit minimum
• Only get 50% of that profit
• 6% drawdown limit (tightest anywhere)
• 4% daily loss cap
• Minimum 10 trading days monthly

The Math:

$5,000 account × 6% target = $300 required monthly

Your 50% cut = $150 monthly income

That’s $1,800 annually from a $5,000 account.

Versus FundedNext $6,000 account at 80%: $6,000 × 6% × 80% = $288 monthly = $3,456 annually

Nearly double the income from a slightly larger account elsewhere.

Hyper Growth (Challenge Model):

Pay $75-$245 depending on size.

Phase 1: 6% target, 6% max loss

Phase 2: 6% target, 6% max loss

Then, it was funded with the same 50% initial split.

The5ers Targets & Limits

RequirementAmountComparison

Monthly profit 6% Lower than most

Max drawdown 6% TIGHTEST anywhere

Daily loss cap 4% TIGHTEST anywhere

Min trade days 10/month MOST anywhere

Weekend holds Partial, Some instruments only

When The5ers Is Your Best Path

✅ You’re planning a 12-24 month commitment minimum (scaling pays off long-term)

✅ You consistently hit 6-8% monthly (required for progression)

✅ You want to manage $500K-$4M eventually (unmatched scaling)

✅ You trade ultra-conservatively (6% drawdown demands this)

✅ You’re okay with delayed gratification (low splits initially)

❌ You need immediate high income (50% split crushes this)

❌ You’re testing prop firms short-term (not worth it)

❌ You can’t consistently hit 6% monthly (you’ll stall at $5K forever)

❌ You trade aggressively (6% drawdown limit too tight)

❌ You want flexibility (strict 10-day minimum is limiting)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Perfect for career prop traders planning a multi-year journey. Terrible for everyone else who wants quick returns or is testing the waters. The scaling potential is genuinely unmatched if you can stomach the early low splits.

Maven Trading: Unlimited Time Became My Procrastination Trap

$133 spent. Failed. Procrastinated 89 days. One bad revenge trade ended it.

How “No Deadline” Destroyed My Discipline

Day 1-40:

“No rush. I’ll trade when perfect setups appear.”

Took 12 trades total. Up $1,680 profit (6.7% of $25K target).

Day 41-70:

“I should trade more but the setups aren’t perfect.”

Took six trades. Up $2,140 total (8.56%).

Day 71-85:

“Just need $360 more to hit 10%. I’ll get it this week.”

Took one trade. Lost $280. Back down to $1,860 (7.44%).

Day 86-89:

Got frustrated with myself. Took an aggressive EUR/USD position during the Asian session (terrible liquidity).

Spread widened. Got stopped out at -$1,480.

Daily loss limit: -5.9%. Account terminated.

Total time wasted: 89 days

Result: Failure

Lesson: I need deadlines, or I drift

Maven Trading Challenge Rules

Phase 1:

• Target: 10%
• Max loss: 12% (most lenient!)
• Daily cap: 5%
• Min days: None (no requirement!)
• Time limit: None (infinite)
• Weekend: Yes, hold anything
• News: Yes, trade freely

Phase 2:

• Target: 5%
• Same rules

Funded:

• Split: 80%
• Payout: 14-21 days
• Scale: $2,000,000

Maven’s Pricing

SizeCostMy Thoughts

$10K $89 Cheaper than FundedNext slightly

$25K $169 What I tried (wasted)

$50K $289 Middle-priced

$100K $499 Competitive

$200K $999 Same as others

The 12% Drawdown Advantage

Most firms: 10% maximum loss

Maven: 12% maximum loss

That extra 2% buffer helps during volatility.

$25K account:

• Normal: $2,500 max loss tolerated
• Maven: $3,000 max loss tolerated

An extra $500 breathing room could save your account during an unexpected gap.

But for me? I never got close to using it because I barely traded.

When Maven Actually Works

✅ You’re extremely self-disciplined (no deadline won’t make you lazy)

✅ You have a full-time job (trade around it without time pressure)

✅ You need maximum drawdown room (12% is generous)

✅ You’re building a complex strategy (need time for testing)

✅ You genuinely prefer no pressure (deadlines stress you badly)

❌ You need external motivation (deadlines make you perform)

❌ You procrastinate without structure (you’ll fail as I did)

❌ You want the best overall value (FundedNext beats this)

❌ You need fast payouts (14-21 days vs FundedNext’s 24 hours)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Good firm. Just not for traders like me who need deadline pressure. If you’re naturally disciplined and self-motivated, the unlimited time plus 12% drawdown makes Maven attractive. For deadline-motivated traders, skip this.

How I Actually Passed Challenges (After Failing 4 Times)

Eight attempts total. Four failures taught me what works.

Strategy #1: Trade ONE Pair Only During ONE Session

What I Used To Do:

EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, AUD/USD—whatever looked good.

London session, New York session, overnight trades—whenever.

Why It Failed:

Spread across too many variables. Couldn’t master any single market condition.

What Works:

EUR/USD exclusively. 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM London time exclusively.

One pair. One session. Deep expertise.

Results:

Win rate jumped from 48% to 67% just from this focus change.

Strategy #2: Risk 0.5% Maximum (Never 1-2%)

The Standard Advice:

“Risk 1-2% per trade for optimal growth.”

The Challenge Reality:

$25,000 account × 1% risk = $250 per trade

10% max drawdown = $2,500 total allowed loss

$2,500 ÷ $250 = 10 consecutive losses ends everything

My Approach:

$25,000 × 0.5% = $125 per trade

$2,500 ÷ $125 = 20 consecutive losses needed to fail

Psychological Difference:

Ten-loss buffer feels terrifying. Twenty-loss buffer feels manageable.

That confidence affects trade quality dramatically.

Strategy #3: Stop After 2 Consecutive Losses

What Destroyed Me:

Lose trade 1. Lose trade 2. Take “revenge trade 3” to make it back.

Revenge trade becomes desperate trade. Desperate trade violates the daily limit.

The New Rule:

Two red trades in a row? Done for the day.

Even if it’s 10:30 AM and I have six hours left.

Impact:

Eliminated 80% of my daily loss limit violations. That one rule changed everything.

Strategy #4: Journal Every Single Trade

What I Track:

Date, time, pair, direction, entry, stop, target, outcome, pips, dollars, emotional state, market context, mistakes.

Why It Matters:

After FTMO failure #3, I reviewed 73 trades from that challenge.

Discovered:

• 92% of losses came between 1:00 and 4:00 PM GMT (my fatigue hours)
• 67% of losses were EUR/USD short positions (I’m better at longs)
• 100% of daily limit violations involved 3+ trades on the same day

The Adjustments:

Stop trading after 1:00 PM. Prefer long setups. Maximum two trades daily.

Passed the next attempt.

Strategy #5: Hit Minimum Days Then STOP

The Trap:

Pass 10% target on day 12. Minimum is 5 days. Keep trading for 18 more days.

Day 27: Give back 40% of profit on one tilted trade.

The Smart Move:

FundedNext Phase 1: Hit 8% on day 11. Traded 5 days total. STOPPED.

Submitted for evaluation with 8.3% profit.

Why risk giving anything back?

Decision Matrix: Which Firm Matches Your Situation?

If You’re Brand New To Prop Funding:

Choose: FundedNext ($49 challenge)

Cheapest test. Easiest rules. Best learning experience.

Fail? You lost $49. Not $299.

Pass? You’re funded faster than anywhere else.

If You Want Maximum Legitimacy:

Choose: FTMO

Longest track record. Best reputation. Most trusted by professional traders.

Worth the $299 cost and difficulty if credibility matters.

If You’re On Extreme Budget:

Choose: FundingPips ($29) BUT accept platform risk

Cheapest entry anywhere. Just know you’re gambling on technical reliability.

Better choice: Save $20 more and get FundedNext $49.

If You Plan a 12-24 Month Journey:

Choose: The5ers

Initial 50% split sucks. But scaling to $4M+ beats everyone in the long term.

Month 12 at $240,000 account destroys month 12 anywhere else.

If You Work a Full-Time Job:

Choose: FundedNext or Maven (no time limits)

Trade around your job. No 30-day countdown creates stress.

FundedNext has a better overall package. Maven, if you need 12% drawdown.

If You Need Fast Cash Flow:

Choose: FundedNext (24-hour payouts!)

Everyone else: 7-21 days.

FundedNext: Literally next day.

Massive difference for cash flow planning.

If You Can’t Handle Pressure:

Choose: FundedNext (unlimited time in Phase 1)

30-day FTMO deadlines create mistakes. Unlimited FundedNext time lets you breathe.

If You’re Already Profitable Long-Term:

Choose: FTMO or The5ers

FTMO for immediate high credibility.

The5ers for maximum scaling potential.

Both require proven skill. Both reward it heavily.

My Final Rankings After $1,963 Spent

#1: FundedNext ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why: Best overall for 85% of traders. Easiest rules, cheapest entry, fastest payouts, unlimited time.

Best For: First-time prop traders, budget-conscious, swing traders, and anyone wanting the highest success probability.

My Result: Passed first attempt. $918 withdrawn and still funded.

#2: FTMO ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Why: Maximum legitimacy and long-term stability. Industry gold standard.

Best For: Experienced, profitable traders seeking credibility and a proven payout history.

My Result: Passed on the fourth attempt after $1,196 spent. $2,627 withdrawn. Worth it.

#3: The5ers ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why: Unmatched scaling to $4M+ for patient long-term traders.

Best For: Career prop traders planning a 2+ year commitment who can stomach low initial splits.

My Result: Researched but didn’t attempt due to 50% initial split.

#4: Maven Trading ⭐⭐⭐

Why: Solid choice for self-disciplined traders. 12% drawdown is generous. Unlimited time.

Best For: Patient traders with strong self-discipline who don’t need deadline pressure.

My Result: Failed after 89 days (procrastination killed me).

#5: FundingPips ⭐⭐½

Why: Cheapest entry, but platform reliability issues are unacceptable.

Best For: Testing if you can pass challenges (practice only). Not serious funding.

My Result: Passed the challenge but lost my funded account due to a platform crash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which prop firm is easiest to pass?

FundedNext by a significant margin. 8% target vs 10% elsewhere, unlimited time in Phase 1, and weekend holds allowed. I passed on the first attempt after failing FTMO three times due to their stricter requirements.

How much funding do you need for your prop firm?

Minimum $49 (FundedNext smallest challenge). Realistically, budget $200-400 across 2-3 attempts to account for failures. I spent $1,963 total testing all firms, but FundedNext alone cost just $190 to pass.

Do prop firms actually pay?

Yes, legitimate ones do. FTMO paid me $2,627 consistently every 14 days. FundedNext paid $918 within 24 hours of requests. Avoid firms with no verifiable payout proofs or trader testimonials.

How long to get funded?

Fastest: 23 days (my FundedNext). Realistic: 60-120 days, accounting for failures. FTMO took me 6 months across four attempts. Budget 3-4 months minimum from first challenge to first payout.

Can you trade news with prop firms?

FTMO: Yes. FundedNext: Yes. FundingPips: 2-minute buffer required. The5ers: Yes. Maven: Yes. Most allow it, but spreads widen during major releases, making it risky regardless of the rules.

What’s the best prop firm for beginners?

FundedNext. $49 entry, 8% easier target, unlimited time removes pressure, 24-hour payouts—perfect first experience before attempting harder FTMO challenges. Avoid starting with FTMO—their 10% target and 30-day deadline are too difficult for beginners.

Can you hold trades through weekends?

FundedNext: Yes. Maven: Yes. The5ers: Partial (some instruments). FTMO: No. FundingPips: No. This matters hugely for swing traders—forced Friday closures cost me opportunities with FTMO.

How do prop firm payouts work?

Request payout after hitting minimum (usually $100-500). FTMO: 14 days processing. FundedNext: 24 hours. The5ers: 14 days. Payments via Wise, PayPal, crypto, or bank transfer, depending on the firm.

Conclusion: Start Funded. Next, Add FTMO, Consider The5ers Long-Term

Testing five prop firms with $1,963 taught me one critical lesson: match the firm to YOUR actual situation, not their marketing.

My Recommended Path:

Step 1: FundedNext $49 challenge

Prove you can pass. Cheapest, easiest, fastest route to funding.

Step 2: FundedNext $190 challenge (if passed first)

Scale up. Better profit potential. Same easy rules.

Step 3: FTMO $345 challenge (once consistently profitable)

Add credibility. Harder but worth it for reputation and scaling.

Step 4: The5ers (if planning 12+ months)

Maximum scaling potential after proving yourself elsewhere.

Skip: FundingPips (platform unreliable)

Skip: Maven (unless you’re extremely self-disciplined)

My current setup: $50K on FTMO + $25K on FundedNext, running simultaneously. Combined monthly average: $2,400-3,200.

Worth the $1,963 education cost? Absolutely.

But I wasted $1,063 on the wrong approaches (three FTMO failures, Maven procrastination, and a FundingPips platform loss).

You don’t have to. Start FundedNext. Prove yourself. Then add complexity.

For foundational trading skills before attempting challenges, see our complete forex guide and personal vs prop comparison.

⚠️ Financial Disclaimer

Risk Warning: Prop firm challenges involve substantial risk of losing challenge fees. 85-90% of participants fail evaluations and forfeit payments.

Important Disclosures:

• I’m not a certified financial advisor or licensed investment professional
• Personal results ($1,582 net profit across eight attempts) don’t predict your outcomes
• Challenge fees are at-risk Capital with no guaranteed return
• Funded accounts can terminate on a single rule violation
• Profit splits and payout terms are subject to change without notice

Specific Risks:

• FTMO: 10% target and 30-day deadline create a high failure rate for most traders
• FundedNext: 24-hour payouts don’t guarantee trading profitability
• FundingPips: Platform technical issues can cause account violations outside trader control
• The5ers: Initial 50% profit split significantly reduces early income potential
• Maven: Unlimited time can enable procrastination, leading to eventual failure

Before Attempting:

Prove consistent profitability on personal accounts for a minimum of 6-12 months. Budget for multiple challenge failures ($400-1,000 realistic). Never use money required for essential expenses.

Prop firms are scaling tools for proven traders, not shortcuts to avoiding personal trading skill development.