Challenges aren't lost in the market. They're lost on a rule.
We take apart the rules of prop firms and trading VPS, line by line, before you spend a single euro. And we tell you which one accepts the way you trade, cTrader and bots included.
See the 2026 rankingCalculate my limits
Rules checked on 31 October 2026
4prop firms scrutinised, rule by rule
5trading VPS compared for cTrader
100%of figures sourced from the official websites, and dated
Two-step challenge rules, side by side
Profit targetMax daily lossMax overall loss
FTMO2-Step Challenge, phase 1
FundedNextStellar 2-Step, phase 1
The5%ersHigh Stakes, phase 1
On all three of these offers, the maximum overall loss is calculated on the starting balance (static). Phase 2: a 5% target at all three. Checked on 31 October 2026.
Your limits in dollars
Choose the account size to see what each rule means in practice.
| Offer | Profit to reach | Max loss in one day | Max overall loss |
|---|
Calculated on the starting balance. On FTMO 1-Step, the maximum overall loss is calculated from your highest end-of-day balance.
The guides
- Best prop firm in 2026Our ranking of FTMO, FundedNext, The5%ers and E8 Markets, criterion by criterion.
- FTMO or FundedNext?Prices, rules, payouts and bots: the head-to-head between the two biggest prop firms.
- cTrader-compatible prop firmsWho offers cTrader, and above all who allows your cBots on it.
- Best VPS for cTraderRun your bots 24/7 close to the London servers, from $10 a month.
- FTMO reviewThe three FTMO offers taken apart, and the traps that make traders fail.
- FundedNext reviewGood deal or trap? Prices, payouts and the rule on bots.
- Passing a challengeThe method for putting the rules on your side, bots included.
- The5%ers reviewHigh Stakes, Growth and Bootcamp: three formats, and scaling up to 100%.
- E8 Markets reviewA single phase, tight rules: what you need to know before buying.
- Prop firms and botsWho accepts your EAs and cBots, and the limits that trip bots up.
- No time limitNo more deadline, but minimum trading days and inactivity rules.
- Tradezella trading journalSpot the mistakes that cost you a challenge, with cTrader and MT5 synced.
- cTrader StoreBuy a cBot or an indicator without breaking your prop firm's rules.
- FNmarkets reviewFundedNext's broker: licence, protections and risks.
Challenges are paid evaluations and most participants fail. Only buy a challenge with money you can afford to lose. Read the risk warning