CFD prop firms
CFD prop firms
Forex and CFD challenges from firms like FTMO and The5ers use percentage rules, two loss limits and lot sizing. Here's how they work and how the main firms compare.
Facts checked
The short version
- Forex and CFD challenges state their rules as a percentage of the starting balance. On $100K, a 10% target is $10,000 and a 5% daily limit is $5,000, whatever your balance is now.
- There are two loss limits: a daily limit counted from where you started the day, and a max loss across the whole account. Breaking either ends the challenge, including open-trade losses.
- Most 2-step challenges use a static max loss, 10% below the starting balance, that never moves. Instant and some 1-step accounts trail instead.
- 2-step means hitting a target twice, often 8 to 10% and then 5%, each with a few minimum trading days. You usually pay once per attempt, and many firms refund the fee with the first payout.
Rules in percent
Targets and limits are a % of the starting balance: on $100K, a 10% target is $10,000 and a 5% daily limit is $5,000, whatever your balance is now.
Two loss limits
A daily limit, counted from where you started the day, and a max loss across the whole account. Breaking either ends the challenge, including open-trade losses.
Mostly static max loss
Most 2-step challenges use a static floor: 10% below the starting balance, and it never moves. Instant and some 1-step accounts trail instead.
Phases and minimum days
2-step means hitting a target twice (often 8–10%, then 5%), each with a few minimum trading days. Many firms have no time limit.
News and weekend rules
Some firms ban trading around high-impact news or holding over the weekend on funded accounts. Rules vary by firm and account type.
One-time fee, refundable
You usually pay once per attempt, and many firms refund the fee with your first payout. Splits start around 80% and can scale up.
The two floors
How the daily and max loss work together
Example: a $100K 2-step challenge with a 5% daily loss and a 10% static max loss. Whichever floor is higher is the one that matters today.
| Balance | Daily floor | Max loss floor | What happened | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 start | $100,000 | $95,000 | $90,000 | Daily floor is $5,000 below today's start |
| Day 2 start | $102,000 | $97,000 | $90,000 | Up $2,000, so today's daily floor rises with it |
| Day 3 start | $98,500 | $93,500 | $90,000 | Down day: the daily floor resets lower, max floor never moves |
| Day 4 start | $93,000 | $90,000 | $90,000 | Close to the max floor: only $3,000 of room left, not $5,000 |
Firms differ on where the day starts (often midnight server time) and whether they count the day's starting balance or equity. Check your firm's rules page for both.
Lot sizing
How many lots can you trade?
Size from the account and your stop. Risking 0.5% of $100K means $500 per trade.
Risk per trade
$500
0.5% of $100,000
Lot size
2.50
$200 risk per lot
Actual risk
$500
rounded down to 0.01 lots
Losses to daily limit
10
of $5,000, in a row
Trade 2.50 lots of EURUSD. It would take 10 losses in a row to reach the daily limit.
Firms compared
Popular CFD prop firm programs
Checked 17 Oct 2026. "Official" rules were read on the firm's own site; the others come from third-party reviews. Firms change rules often, so confirm before you buy. We're not affiliated with any of them.
| Firm | Program | Targets | Daily loss | Max loss | Drawdown | Min days | Split | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO Official | 2-Step Challenge | 10% → 5% | 5% | 10% | Static | 4 | See site | $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
| 1-Step Challenge Best day ≤ 50% of total profit | 10% | 3% | 10% | End-of-day trailing | None | See site | $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K | |
| The5ers Official | High Stakes (2-Step) | 10% → 5% | 5% | 10% | Static | 3 | 80%, scaling to 100% | $2.5K, $5K, $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K |
| Hyper Growth (1-Step) Best day ≤ 50% of profit | 10% | 3% | 6% | Static | None | 75% | $100K | |
| FundingPips Unverified | 2-Step | 8% → 5% | 5% | 10% | Static | 3 | up to 90% | $5K, $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K |
| 1-Step | 10% | 3% | 6% | Static | 3 | up to 90% | $5K, $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K | |
| Zero (instant) | Instant | 3% | 5% | Trailing | None | up to 90% | $5K, $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K | |
| FundedNext Unverified | Stellar 2-Step | 8% → 5% | 5% | 10% | Static | 5 | up to 95% | $6K, $15K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
| Stellar 1-Step | 10% | 3% | 6% | Static | 2 | up to 95% | $6K, $15K, $25K, $50K, $100K, $200K |
Trading one of these? Add it in your profile: pick the firm and program and the rules fill in, or use Fetch rules with the firm's link.
CFD prop firms: common questions
How do the daily loss and max loss work together?
The daily floor is a set percent below your balance at the start of the day, so it rises and falls with your results. The max floor is a set percent below the starting balance and, on a static account, never moves. Whichever floor is higher is the one that matters today. On a $100K 2-step account with a 5% daily loss and 10% static max loss, if you start a day at $93,000 you have $3,000 of room, not $5,000, because the max floor at $90,000 is closer.
What is the difference between static and trailing drawdown?
A static max loss stays at a fixed level below the starting balance. A trailing one moves up as your balance grows. Most 2-step forex challenges use static, while instant funding and some 1-step accounts trail.
What does 2-step mean?
You pass two phases, each with its own profit target, often 8 to 10% and then 5%, and each with a minimum number of trading days. Many firms have no time limit.
How many lots can I trade?
Size from the account and your stop, not from the target. Risking 0.5% of a $100K account means $500 on the trade. Divide that by your stop distance and the value per pip or point to get the lot size.
Can I trade news and hold over the weekend?
It depends on the firm and account type. Some ban trading around high-impact news or holding over the weekend on funded accounts. Read the rules of the specific program before you buy.
Is the challenge fee refundable?
You usually pay once per attempt. Many firms refund the fee with your first payout, and profit splits start around 80% and can scale up. Fees are usually non-refundable if you fail.
Keep reading
Trading a prop firm account?
Track each challenge's rules and today's dollar limits, with your sessions in your time zone. Free.