Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | thePropTrade | OneUp Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% (up to 90%) | 100% (first $10,000), then 90% |
| First Payout | On demand | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | On demand | Weekly |
| Max Account Size | $100,000 | $250,000 |
Winner: OneUp Trader
In this independent head-to-head comparison of thePropTrade vs OneUp Trader, 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.
thePropTrade: Start Any Evaluation for $9.99. Pay Activation Only After Passing. Full Refund on First Payout.
OneUp Trader: Subscription-based futures prop trading with no phase requirements.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, OneUp Trader scores 8.9/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: thePropTrade scores 7.5/10 vs OneUp Trader at 8.9/10.
Minimum Fee: thePropTrade starts from $9.99; OneUp Trader starts from $65/mo. thePropTrade is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: thePropTrade offers 80% (up to 90%); OneUp Trader offers 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader has the higher split.
Platforms: thePropTrade supports MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker; OneUp Trader is on NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, TradeStation, Tradovate, and 15+ more.
Tradeable Markets: thePropTrade covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities; OneUp Trader offers Futures (ES, NQ, YM, CL, GC, 6E, and 35+ CME products).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how thePropTrade and OneUp Trader compare on pricing.
thePropTrade challenge fees start from $9.99. The firm has operated since 2025.
OneUp Trader challenge fees start from $65/mo. The firm has operated since 2016.
On entry-level pricing, thePropTrade offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
thePropTrade profit split: 80% (up to 90%). OneUp Trader profit split: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: thePropTrade pays On demand; OneUp Trader pays Weekly. Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of thePropTrade:
thePropTrade is operated by The Prop Trade Ltd (registration 2025-00866, Saint Lucia) and QuantElite FZCO (Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE), led by CEO Katarina K. The firm registered in 2025, making it one of the newest entrants in the prop trading space with a very limited public track record. Platforms include MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradeLocker. Maximum account size is $200,000, with leverage up to 1:100. The firm serves all instruments except jurisdictions on FATF/EU/UN sanctions lists, and excludes China and Vietnam.
thePropTrade’s signature offering is PayFlex Edge — a distinctive pay-to-start model where the upfront evaluation cost is $9.99 for all account sizes. An activation fee (paid only after passing the evaluation) varies by account size and is refunded on the first funded payout.
How it works: Pay $9.99 to begin the evaluation regardless of account size. Complete the 6% profit target. Upon passing, pay an activation fee (see table below). The activation fee is refunded on your first funded payout — making the long-run cost zero if you trade profitably.
Evaluation parameters (all sizes): 6% profit target. Daily loss limit: 4%. Max drawdown: 6% trailing lock — the drawdown ceiling adjusts with equity gains and locks the floor at the highest reached level. Minimum 3 profitable trading days required (with at least 0.5% profit each). No maximum time limit. Swap-free accounts available. No consistency rule.
Activation fees by account size (post-pass):
The overall price is comparable to standard single-phase programs — the innovation is the cost split: risk only $9.99 to attempt, pay the remainder only after proving profitability.
Profit split: 80% (up to 90% with scaling milestones). Payouts on demand. Instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities. All three platforms (MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker) available on funded accounts. No maximum lot size restrictions. Swap-free accounts available.
Platforms: MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradeLocker — full three-platform flexibility is uncommon at this price point. Instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities. Leverage up to 1:100.
thePropTrade earns a 6.2 BestProp score. The $9.99 pay-to-start structure is genuinely innovative and removes the most common barrier to entry in prop trading — the fear of paying full price and failing. For a trader with a proven strategy, risking $9.99 to attempt a $100K evaluation (full activation fee refunded if funded) is a compelling proposition. Three supported platforms (MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker) and swap-free accounts add structural quality. On-demand payouts remove payout cycle delays.
The primary concern is the firm’s age: registered in 2025 with registration number 2025-00866, thePropTrade has an extremely limited public operating history. No verified Trustpilot score is publicly confirmed. The CEO is identified only by first name and initial publicly. Trading rules for EAs, news, and overnight holds are not clearly published. Saint Lucia/Dubai dual-entity structure adds a layer of opacity. Traders should proceed with small account sizes first and verify all rules directly with support before committing to larger activation fees. A promising concept; the track record needs time to build.
Here is our full independent review of OneUp Trader:
OneUp Trader is one of the longest-standing futures prop firms in the industry, founded in 2016 and based in Delaware, USA. Rather than a traditional phased evaluation, OneUp uses a monthly subscription model — pay a flat monthly fee for an evaluation account and keep trading until you hit the profit target. There are no Phase 2 requirements.
OneUp uses a trailing max drawdown that locks in at your initial account balance. As your equity rises the drawdown level trails upward, but once it reaches your original starting balance it stops — meaning your maximum total loss from day one is capped at the drawdown amount. There is no daily loss limit, giving traders full flexibility on individual trading days.
Funded traders receive 100% of profits on the first $10,000 earned, then 90% on all profits thereafter. This makes OneUp unusually attractive in the early funded stage. Up to three funded accounts can be held simultaneously (one account for the Express plan).
News trading is prohibited during the funded phase with a 1-minute blackout window around major economic releases. High-frequency trading and latency arbitrage are banned — all positions must be held for at least 10 seconds. A consistency rule applies: the combined net profit of your three next-best trading days must equal at least 80% of your single best day, preventing performance from being dominated by one outlier session. Expert Advisors are permitted for individual accounts; copy trading across accounts is not.
OneUp supports 20+ platforms including NinjaTrader (provided free), Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, TradeStation, and Tradovate. Traders can access 40+ CME futures products including ES, NQ, YM, CL, GC, 6E, and a range of agricultural and currency contracts. Exchange data fees are waived — a meaningful cost saving compared to most futures brokers.
Payouts are processed weekly via bank wire, Bitcoin, USDT, or ETH. Crypto payouts carry a 5% processor fee. A 7-day free trial is available, allowing traders to test the platform before committing to a subscription.
Overall, our independent scoring gives OneUp Trader the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If thePropTrade 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, OneUp Trader scores higher overall (8.9/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
thePropTrade offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
OneUp Trader offers the higher profit split. thePropTrade: 80% (up to 90%). OneUp Trader: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%.
EA policies: thePropTrade — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: thePropTrade — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review.
Read the full thePropTrade review → · Read the full OneUp Trader review →
Based on our scoring methodology, OneUp Trader 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.
thePropTrade offers 80% (up to 90%) profit split, while OneUp Trader offers 100% (first $10,000), then 90% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.
thePropTrade processes first payouts in On demand day(s), while OneUp Trader takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither thePropTrade nor OneUp Trader 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.
