Lesson 8 of 8 · 2 min
Choosing a firm
A checklist for comparing firms — and the red flags that should make you walk away.
There's no single best firm. There's the firm whose rules fit how you already trade.
Compare on these
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Drawdown type and lock level | Decides how much room you really have |
| Daily loss rule | Account closure vs. pause for the day |
| Profit target vs drawdown size | A target far bigger than the drawdown is harder to pass |
| Fees: evaluation, reset, activation, data | Your total cost per attempt |
| Payout split, buffer, minimum days, caps | How and when money comes out |
| Consistency rule | Does your normal trading fit it? |
| News and session rules | Can you trade your usual setups and times? |
| Platforms and data | Does it support the charts you use? |
| Sim vs live, and the path to live | What "funded" means here |
Red flags
- Terms that change often or are hard to find.
- Vague payout rules, or many reports of denied payouts.
- Rules that can be interpreted against you after the fact.
- Pressure tactics: countdown timers on every page, constant "90% off".
- No clear company information or support.
Start small
Try one account at the smallest size that fits your normal trading. Track every dollar in and out. Scale only when your own numbers say it's +EV.
Quick recap
- Pick rules that fit your trading, not the biggest account.
- Total up all fees.
- Walk away from vague payout terms.
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