Reviewed by PropFirm201 Research Team·At a Glance
Pricing & Challenge Types
1-Phase Challenge
1 phase · 80% profit split · Scaling available
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $150 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $25,000 | $300 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $50,000 | $400 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $100,000 | $600 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $200,000 | $1200 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
2-Phase Challenge
2 phases · 80% profit split · Scaling available
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Target P2 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $70 | 8% | 4% | 5% | 10% |
| $25,000 | $140 | 8% | 4% | 5% | 10% |
| $50,000 | $245 | 8% | 4% | 5% | 10% |
| $100,000 | $350 | 8% | 4% | 5% | 10% |
| $200,000 | $700 | 8% | 4% | 5% | 10% |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable 2-phase challenge starting at $70
- No minimum trading days required
- Unlimited trading time for all challenges
- News trading and weekend holding allowed
- Scaling plan up to $1,000,000 with 90% profit split
- 100% fee refund upon passing the challenge
Cons
- Firm ceased operations in 2024 and was acquired by Sway Funded
- Sway Funded itself later suspended operations in early 2025
- Numerous reports of delayed payouts and limited customer support
- Low Trustpilot score of 3.8 with mixed reviews
- EAs and automated trading not permitted
- Maximum $300,000 combined account size before scaling
Trading Rules
About Glow Node
Glow Node was a UK-based proprietary trading firm co-founded by Sam Bradbury and Ryan Beasley. The firm positioned itself as a "next generation prop firm" and offered one-phase and two-phase trading challenges with funded accounts ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Glow Node used MatchTrader as its exclusive trading platform and partnered with broker Eightcap for trade execution.
The firm attracted traders with its straightforward challenge structure, competitive pricing (two-phase challenges starting at just $70), and flexible trading rules that permitted news trading, weekend holding, and copy trading. Glow Node also offered a scaling plan that allowed successful traders to increase their account size by 30% every three months, up to a maximum of $1,000,000.
However, Glow Node's operational history was relatively brief and troubled. The firm ceased independent operations in 2024 following the termination of its partnership with broker Eightcap, which caused significant operational disruptions. Glow Node was subsequently acquired by Sway Funded, and active user accounts were migrated to the new platform beginning August 10, 2025.
The situation deteriorated further when Sway Markets, the parent entity of Sway Funded, also suspended operations in early 2025. This left many former Glow Node traders in limbo, with unresolved payout claims and limited recourse. The Glow Node website now shows suspended trading operations and references the Sway Funded transition.
Throughout its operation, Glow Node received mixed reviews. Its Trustpilot score stands at 3.8 out of 5 based on 363 reviews, with 70% five-star ratings but notable complaints about delayed payouts and poor customer support. Traders Union classified it as not a safe and trusted company based on their analysis, though it was never officially classified as fraudulent.
How Glow Node Worked
Glow Node operated a standard challenge-based evaluation model with two pathways to funded trading.
- Choose a Challenge: Select either a 1-Phase or 2-Phase challenge across five account sizes ($10,000 to $200,000).
- Pay the Fee: One-time fee ranging from $70 to $1,200 depending on challenge type and account size. The fee was 100% refundable upon passing.
- Complete the Evaluation: Meet the profit target (10% for 1-Phase, 8%+4% for 2-Phase) while staying within drawdown limits.
- No Time Pressure: No minimum trading days and unlimited time to complete the challenge.
- Get Funded: Upon passing, receive a funded account with an 80% profit split.
- First Payout: Eligible for first withdrawal after 14 days of live trading (or 7 days with an add-on).
- Subsequent Payouts: Every 14 days via crypto, PayPal, or bank transfer through RiseWorks.io.
- Scale Up: Increase account size by 30% every three months, with profit split improving to 90/10 upon scaling.
Pricing & Plans
1-Phase Challenge:
| Account Size | Price |
|---|---|
| $10,000 | $150 |
| $25,000 | $300 |
| $50,000 | $400 |
| $100,000 | $600 |
| $200,000 | $1,200 |
2-Phase Challenge:
| Account Size | Price |
|---|---|
| $10,000 | $70 |
| $25,000 | $140 |
| $50,000 | $245 |
| $100,000 | $350 |
| $200,000 | $700 |
All challenge fees were 100% refundable after successfully passing the evaluation and receiving a funded account (refund available after the third payout). Challenge parameters could be customized for an additional fee, affecting the final pricing.
Optional Add-ons:
- Faster first payout (7 days instead of 14)
- 90/10 profit split upgrade (instead of 80/20)
- Customized drawdown and target parameters
Rules & Restrictions
1-Phase Challenge:
- Profit Target: 10%
- Daily Drawdown: 4% (relative)
- Maximum Drawdown: 8% (on starting balance)
- Minimum Trading Days: None
- Maximum Trading Days: Unlimited
2-Phase Challenge:
- Phase 1 Profit Target: 8%
- Phase 2 Profit Target: 4%
- Daily Drawdown: 5%
- Maximum Drawdown: 10%
- Minimum Trading Days: None
- Maximum Trading Days: Unlimited
Trading Rules:
- News Trading: Allowed
- Weekend Holding: Allowed
- Overnight Positions: Allowed
- Copy Trading: Allowed
- Account Merging: Allowed
- Scalping: Allowed
- Hedging: Allowed
- EAs/Bots: Not explicitly permitted
- High-Frequency Trading: Prohibited
- Arbitrage: Prohibited
- Martingale: Prohibited
- Maximum Combined Accounts: $300,000 per customer
- Platform: MatchTrader exclusively
Scaling Plan:
- Account increases by 30% of initial balance every three months
- Profit split improves to 90/10 upon scaling
- Maximum account size: $1,000,000
- Requires consistent profitability to qualify
Payouts
Glow Node processed payouts every 14 days after the initial 14-day waiting period (reducible to 7 days with an add-on). The base profit split was 80/20 in favor of the trader, increasing to 90/10 through the scaling program.
Payout Methods:
- Cryptocurrency
- PayPal
- Bank transfer (via Rise/RiseWorks.io)
Challenge fees were refundable after the third successful payout. However, numerous traders reported delays in receiving payouts, which became a significant source of complaints, particularly during the firm's transition period to Sway Funded.
Is Glow Node Legit?
Glow Node operated as a legitimate prop trading firm during its active period but was plagued by operational issues that ultimately led to its closure. The firm has a 3.8 Trustpilot rating from 363 reviews, with a majority of positive reviews but a notable minority reporting negative experiences with delayed payouts and unresponsive support.
Key concerns include:
- The firm was not regulated by any financial authority
- It ceased operations in 2024 after losing its broker partnership
- Its acquirer, Sway Funded, also subsequently suspended operations
- Traders Union classified it as "not safe and trusted"
- Multiple traders reported not receiving payouts despite completing challenges
Glow Node is no longer operational. Traders who had accounts with the firm were directed to Sway Funded, which itself has since suspended operations. Any traders with outstanding claims should seek resolution through the remaining contact channels of either entity.
FAQ
What is Glow Node?
Glow Node was a UK-based proprietary trading firm that offered one-phase and two-phase trading challenges with funded accounts from $10,000 to $200,000. The firm ceased operations in 2024 and was acquired by Sway Funded, which also later suspended operations.
How much does Glow Node cost?
Glow Node offered two-phase challenges starting at $70 for a $10,000 account and one-phase challenges starting at $150 for a $10,000 account. The most expensive option was $1,200 for a $200,000 one-phase challenge. The firm is no longer operational.
What is Glow Node's profit split?
Glow Node offered an 80/20 base profit split that could improve to 90/10 through their scaling program. The scaling plan allowed account size increases of 30% every three months up to $1,000,000.
Does Glow Node allow EAs/bots?
Glow Node prohibited high-frequency trading, arbitrage, and martingale strategies. Standard EAs were not explicitly supported. The firm is no longer operational.
Is Glow Node available in the US?
Glow Node's availability for US traders was not clearly documented. The firm is no longer operational, so this question is moot.