Reviewed by PropFirm201 Research Team·At a Glance
The Funded Trader Homepage
Pricing & Challenge Types
Knight Challenge (1-Step)
1 phase · 80% profit split · Scaling available
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $42 | 10% | 3% | 6% |
| $10,000 | $65 | 10% | 3% | 6% |
| $25,000 | $139 | 10% | 3% | 6% |
| $50,000 | $249 | 10% | 3% | 6% |
| $100,000 | $399 | 10% | 3% | 6% |
| $200,000 | $549 | 10% | 3% | 6% |
Knight Pro (1-Step)
1 phase · 95% profit split · Scaling available
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $42 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $10,000 | $79 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $25,000 | $179 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $50,000 | $299 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $100,000 | $489 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| $200,000 | $649 | 10% | 4% | 8% |
Royal Challenge (2-Step)
2 phases · 80% profit split · Scaling available
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Target P2 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $79 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $10,000 | $119 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $25,000 | $229 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $50,000 | $399 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $100,000 | $699 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $200,000 | $1100 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
Royal Pro (2-Step)
2 phases · 90% profit split · Scaling available
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Target P2 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $55 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $50,000 | $149 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $100,000 | $329 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $200,000 | $579 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
Dragon Challenge (3-Step)
3 phases · 80% profit split · Scaling available
| Account Size | Price | Target P1 | Target P2 | Daily Loss | Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $49 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $10,000 | $69 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $25,000 | $129 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $50,000 | $199 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| $100,000 | $299 | 8% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
The Funded Trader Plans Page
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wide variety of challenge types (1-step, 2-step, and 3-step options)
- Very low entry price starting at just $42 for a $5K account
- Up to 95% profit split on Knight Pro accounts
- Scaling available up to $2.5M in total funded capital
- No time limits on any evaluation phases
Cons
- 3.3 Trustpilot rating is lower than most major competitors
- News trading restricted within 2 minutes of red-folder events
- EAs only allowed on specific challenge types or with add-ons
- Cross-account hedging prohibited
- Platform access restricted for US-based traders on some platforms
Trading Rules
About The Funded Trader
The Funded Trader (TFT) is a proprietary trading evaluation firm founded in May 2021 by Angelo Ciaramello, a trader who previously ran The Forex League and VVS Academy. Based in Miami, Florida (with registration in Liberty Hill, Texas), TFT has built a community-driven brand with a knights-and-dragons theme that sets it apart visually from competitors.
The firm offers one of the most diverse challenge lineups in the prop firm industry, with five distinct evaluation types spanning 1-step, 2-step, and 3-step models. Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000, and the scaling plan can grow funded capital up to $2.5 million. With challenge prices starting as low as $42, TFT positions itself as an accessible option for traders at all experience levels.
TFT caters to forex, indices, commodities, and crypto traders across MT5, Match-Trader, DXtrade, and cTrader platforms. The firm offers up to 47 tradeable instruments and profit splits reaching 95% on premium account types.
However, The Funded Trader carries a 3.3 out of 5 Trustpilot rating from over 20,000 reviews, which is notably lower than competitors like FTMO (4.8) and Topstep (4.6). Some traders have reported issues with payout processing and customer support. The firm is best suited for traders who want maximum flexibility in choosing an evaluation model and are comfortable with a firm that has a mixed reputation.
How The Funded Trader Works
The Funded Trader offers multiple evaluation paths:
1-Step Challenges (Knight and Knight Pro):
- Pay the challenge fee and receive a simulated trading account.
- Hit the 10% profit target while respecting daily drawdown (3-4%) and max drawdown (6-8%) limits.
- Pass with as few as 1-5 minimum trading days (varies by type).
- Receive a funded account with 80-95% profit split.
2-Step Challenges (Royal and Royal Pro):
- Phase 1: Hit the 8% profit target while respecting 5% daily drawdown and 10% max drawdown.
- Phase 2: Hit the 5% profit target with the same loss limits.
- Minimum 3-5 trading days per phase.
- Receive a funded account with 80-90% profit split.
3-Step Challenge (Dragon):
- Phase 1: Hit the 8% profit target.
- Phase 2: Hit the 5% profit target.
- Phase 3: Hit the 5% profit target.
- Only 1 minimum trading day per phase.
- The most affordable option with funding up to $100K.
There are no maximum time limits on any evaluation phase, giving traders full control over their pace.
Pricing & Plans
Knight Challenge (1-Step)
| Account Size | Price | Profit Target | Daily DD | Max DD | Profit Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $42 | 10% | 3% | 6% | 80% |
| $10,000 | $65 | 10% | 3% | 6% | 80% |
| $25,000 | $139 | 10% | 3% | 6% | 80% |
| $50,000 | $249 | 10% | 3% | 6% | 80% |
| $100,000 | $399 | 10% | 3% | 6% | 80% |
| $200,000 | $549 | 10% | 3% | 6% | 80% |
Knight Pro (1-Step)
| Account Size | Price | Profit Target | Daily DD | Max DD | Profit Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $42 | 10% | 4% | 8% | 95% |
| $10,000 | $79 | 10% | 4% | 8% | 95% |
| $25,000 | $179 | 10% | 4% | 8% | 95% |
| $50,000 | $299 | 10% | 4% | 8% | 95% |
| $100,000 | $489 | 10% | 4% | 8% | 95% |
| $200,000 | $649 | 10% | 4% | 8% | 95% |
Royal Challenge (2-Step)
| Account Size | Price |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $79 |
| $10,000 | $119 |
| $25,000 | $229 |
| $50,000 | $399 |
| $100,000 | $699 |
| $200,000 | $1,100 |
Dragon Challenge (3-Step)
| Account Size | Price |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $49 |
| $10,000 | $69 |
| $25,000 | $129 |
| $50,000 | $199 |
| $100,000 | $299 |
Rules & Restrictions
- Daily Drawdown: 3-5% depending on challenge type, balance-based.
- Maximum Drawdown: 6-10% depending on challenge type.
- Minimum Trading Days: 1-5 days depending on challenge type.
- Maximum Trading Days: Unlimited across all evaluation types.
- News Trading: Not allowed within 2 minutes before or after red-folder economic news events.
- Expert Advisors: Only allowed in specific challenge types or with paid add-ons.
- Weekend Holding: Allowed on Royal Challenge accounts.
- Hedging: Cross-account hedging is prohibited. Within-account hedging varies by type.
- Copy Trading: Restricted without add-ons.
- Scalping: Not explicitly prohibited.
- Maximum Funded Capital: Up to $600K active at once, $2.5M total through scaling.
- KYC: Required only after passing the challenge.
Payouts
- Profit Split: 80% to 95% depending on the challenge type (Knight Pro offers up to 95%).
- Frequency: Weekly (7 days), bi-weekly (14 days), or monthly depending on account type. Knight Pro offers anytime payouts.
- Methods: Bank transfer, cryptocurrency (USDC, Ethereum, Bitcoin).
- First Payout: Available as early as 7 days after funding on Knight accounts.
- Scaling: Consistent performance unlocks larger accounts up to $1.5M in simulated capital, with a total scaling cap of $2.5M.
Is The Funded Trader Legit?
The Funded Trader is a legitimate prop firm, but it carries a more mixed reputation than its top-tier competitors:
- Founded in 2021 by Angelo Ciaramello, a known figure in the trading community.
- US-registered company with headquarters in Miami, Florida.
- 3.3/5 Trustpilot rating from over 20,000 reviews - notably lower than firms like FTMO (4.8) or Topstep (4.6).
- Large user base with significant trading volume.
- Platform partners include Voyage Markets and Thaurus LTD.
The lower Trustpilot score reflects reported issues with payout delays, customer support response times, and occasional rule changes. Some US-based traders have also experienced platform access restrictions. However, the firm continues to operate and serve a large community of traders. Prospective traders should review recent reviews and stay updated on any rule changes before purchasing a challenge.
FAQ
What is The Funded Trader?
The Funded Trader is a proprietary trading evaluation firm founded in 2021 in Miami, Florida. It offers 1-step, 2-step, and 3-step evaluation challenges across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto with account sizes from $5,000 to $200,000.
How much does The Funded Trader cost?
Prices range from $42 for the smallest Knight challenge ($5K account) to $1,100 for the largest Royal challenge ($200K account). The Dragon 3-step challenge offers the most affordable path with prices from $49 to $299.
What is The Funded Trader's profit split?
Profit splits range from 80% to 95% depending on the challenge type. Knight Pro offers the highest split at 95%, while standard Knight, Royal, and Dragon challenges start at 80%.
Does The Funded Trader allow EAs/bots?
EAs are only allowed on specific challenge types, primarily the Royal Challenge. Other challenge types require paid add-ons to enable automated trading.
Is The Funded Trader available in the US?
Yes, The Funded Trader is a US-based company and accepts US traders. However, some platforms (like MT5, cTrader) may have restrictions for US clients, and traders may be limited to Match-Trader or DXtrade.