Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | For Traders | City Traders Imperium |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 80% (up to 100%) |
| First Payout | — | On demand (after 7 profitable days) |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (48h guarantee) | Monthly (1-Step/2-Step); Bi-weekly (Instant) |
| Max Account Size | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Winner: For Traders
In this independent head-to-head comparison of For Traders vs City Traders Imperium, we break down challenge rules, pricing, profit splits, and payout conditions to help you decide which prop firm is the better fit for your trading style.
For Traders: Our Challenge. Your Rules.
City Traders Imperium: Est. 2018. No Daily Loss Limit on 1-Step. Monthly Salary. Scales to $4M.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, For Traders scores 9.1/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: For Traders scores 9.1/10 vs City Traders Imperium at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: For Traders starts from $50; City Traders Imperium starts from $29. City Traders Imperium is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: For Traders offers 80% → 90%; City Traders Imperium offers 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium has the higher split.
Platforms: For Traders supports TradeLocker, cTrader, MT5; City Traders Imperium is on MT5, Match Trader.
Tradeable Markets: For Traders covers Forex, Indices, Metals, Crypto, Futures; City Traders Imperium offers Forex (28 pairs), Indices (9), Gold, Silver, Oil, Crypto (BTC, ETH, LTC, ADA, XRP).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how For Traders and City Traders Imperium compare on pricing.
For Traders challenge fees start from $50. The firm has operated since 2023. They have funded over 150,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $10M+.
City Traders Imperium challenge fees start from $29. The firm has operated since 2018.
On entry-level pricing, City Traders Imperium offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
For Traders profit split: 80% → 90%. City Traders Imperium profit split: 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: For Traders pays On-demand (48h guarantee); City Traders Imperium pays Monthly (1-Step/2-Step); Bi-weekly (Instant). Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of For Traders:
For Traders launched in 2023 with a simple positioning statement: Our Challenge. Your Rules. The Prague and Dubai-based firm lets traders configure their challenge parameters — target, variant, and capital — before buying, rather than fitting their strategy to a fixed rulebook. With 150,000+ customers, $10M+ paid out, and a 48-hour payout guarantee (backed by a 100% profit split penalty if they miss it), For Traders has built a credible track record in a short time.
The firm covers forex, indices, metals, crypto, and futures — one of the broadest instrument sets in the funded trading space outside of FTMO — and supports TradeLocker, cTrader, and MT5 across web, mobile, and desktop.
For Traders suits multi-market traders who want to fund a forex, futures, or crypto account under a single brand. If you trade different asset classes with different strategies, For Traders lets you run separate programs per market rather than forcing everything into one account type.
The firm is also a strong fit for traders who prioritise payout reliability — the 48-hour guarantee with a financial penalty for delays is one of the few hard contractual commitments in the prop firm space.
For Traders offers five distinct funding programs:
Account sizes run from $5,000 up to $100,000 per market standard, with Premium Program access up to $300,000 for top-performing traders. Fees start at $50 for a $5,000 account, scaling to $399 for a $100,000 1-Step Forex account.
For Traders supports three platforms across all devices:
Tradable assets: 100+ forex pairs, 50+ crypto coins (24/7 including weekends), major indices (US30, NAS100, DAX40), gold, silver, oil, and futures contracts. MT4 is not supported.
For Traders’ payout infrastructure is one of its strongest selling points:
The card and crypto withdrawal options being free and instant are a genuine differentiator — most prop firms charge fees on all withdrawal methods.
For Traders earns an 8.2 BestProp score. The multi-market coverage, configurable challenge format, and 48-hour payout guarantee make it one of the more complete prop firm offerings launched in the last three years. The trailing drawdown on the 1-Step Forex program is more forgiving than static drawdown, which suits swing traders and position traders well.
The caution is the news trading restriction and the 40% margin rule — both require attention if you run macro-driven or high-leverage strategies. For traders who can work within those guardrails, For Traders delivers genuine value across forex, futures, and crypto from a single platform.
Here is our full independent review of City Traders Imperium:
City Traders Imperium (CTI) was founded in June 2018, making it one of the longest-established prop firms in the world. Operated by CTI FZCO and headquartered at Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE, with UK phone support, the firm is led by CEO Daniel Martin and co-founder Martin Najat. CTI holds a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from 1,150+ reviews. Maximum initial account: $100,000; maximum combined allocation: $440,000; scaling potential to $4,000,000. All accounts operate on MetaTrader 5 or Match Trader.
CTI distinguishes itself on two fronts: the 1-Step challenge carries no daily loss limit — one of very few prop firms to offer this — and traders receive a monthly salary ($12.50-$500 depending on account size and program) in addition to profit splits. The firm also includes trading education (academy access) with all programs.
1-Step Challenge ($29-$469 for $2.5K-$100K): Single phase, 8% profit target. No daily loss limit. Max drawdown: 5% static. Minimum 3 profitable days. First payout on demand after 7 profitable days and 2% net profit (or $100 minimum). Subsequent payouts monthly (last 5 days of month). Up to 100% profit split. No time limit. The absence of a daily loss limit is the defining feature — traders cannot be stopped out by a single volatile session as long as their total equity remains above the 5% threshold. Available from $2,500 (entry fee: $29) up to $100,000 ($469).
2-Step Evaluation ($39-$549 for $2.5K-$100K): Phase 1: 10% target. Phase 2: 5% target. Daily loss: 5%. Max drawdown: 10% static. Minimum 3 profitable days. First payout on demand after 7 profitable days. Subsequent payouts monthly. 80-100% split. No time limit. Standard two-phase structure with the widest max drawdown buffer of any CTI program.
Instant Funding ($69-$1,499 for $2.5K-$80K): No evaluation required. 10% profit target required before scaling. Max drawdown: 6% static. First payout on demand after 5 profitable days and 2% net profit. Bi-weekly payouts (14th/15th and last 2 days of month). Up to 100% split. Leverage 1:10. Suitable for traders who want immediate funded access and are willing to demonstrate a 10% gain before accessing scaling.
Instant Funding Pro ($299-$4,799 for $5K-$80K): Premium instant access tier with the same fundamental structure as Instant Funding but at a higher fee level. Verify full specifications and any additional benefits directly on the CTI website.
CTI pays a monthly salary to all funded traders regardless of trading performance — amounts range from $12.50/month (small 1-Step) to $500/month ($100K 2-Step or Instant accounts). This is a genuinely unusual feature in the prop firm industry: traders receive guaranteed regular income in addition to their profit split. Confirm exact salary amounts per program on the CTI website.
The $5/lot forex commission meaningfully impacts scalpers and high-frequency traders. Factor into target calculations: on 100 round trips/month on a $50K account, that is $500 in commission before profit split.
Platforms: MetaTrader 5, Match Trader. Instruments: 28 Forex pairs, 9 major indices (leverage 1:10), Gold, Silver, Oil (leverage 1:10), Crypto (BTC, ETH, LTC, ADA, XRP — zero commission). Leverage on Forex: 1:30. No restrictions on news or overnight trading on funded accounts.
City Traders Imperium earns a 7.6 BestProp score. Founded in 2018 — over seven years of operation — makes CTI one of the most battle-tested prop firms in existence. The 4.5/5 Trustpilot from 1,150+ reviews reflects a long track record. The no-daily-loss-limit on the 1-Step is a meaningful structural advantage for traders who can manage total drawdown discipline. The monthly salary is a genuinely unique feature that adds a real income floor. Small account sizes from $2,500 at $29 entry fee are accessible. Scales to $4,000,000.
Key trade-offs: the EA restriction (own source code only) makes CTI unsuitable for most algorithmic traders who use commercial tools. The $5/lot forex commission is high and penalises active traders. MT5/Match Trader only limits platform choice. Monthly payouts on 1-Step/2-Step (once per month window) means cash flow is less frequent than bi-weekly or weekly competitors. The 7-profitable-day minimum for first payout also adds waiting time. CTI is best suited to discretionary traders — particularly those with a custom EA — who value longevity and the unique salary feature over faster payouts or EA flexibility.
Overall, our independent scoring gives For Traders the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If City Traders Imperium better matches your specific trading style, instruments, or preferred platform, it may still be the right choice for you.
Use our comparison table above and review the challenge fees at both firms before making your final decision. Both offer risk-free evaluation programs — the challenge fee is the only money at risk.
Based on our independent scoring, For Traders scores higher overall (9.1/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
City Traders Imperium offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
City Traders Imperium offers the higher profit split. For Traders: 80% → 90%. City Traders Imperium: 80% (up to 100%).
EA policies: For Traders — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: For Traders — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review.
Read the full For Traders review → · Read the full City Traders Imperium review →
Based on our scoring methodology, For Traders edges ahead in this comparison. However, the best choice depends on your trading style, preferred platform and account size. Read the full breakdown above for a detailed verdict.
For Traders offers 80% → 90% profit split, while City Traders Imperium offers 80% (up to 100%) profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Yes! For Traders: 15% off — code BESTPROP10. See the offer button above for full terms.
For Traders processes first payouts in a variable timeframe, while City Traders Imperium takes approximately On demand (after 7 profitable days) day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither For Traders nor City Traders Imperium are regulated in the traditional financial sense — prop firms operate as private companies providing traders access to simulated or real capital. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before participating in any prop challenge.
