Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | Blue Guardian | OneUp Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | 100% (first $10,000), then 90% |
| First Payout | 7 | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand / Daily (Futures Express) / Every 3 days (Futures Standard) | Weekly |
| Max Account Size | $400,000 | $250,000 |
Winner: OneUp Trader
In this independent head-to-head comparison of Blue Guardian 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.
Blue Guardian: 9 Programs. CFD + CME Futures. 24h Guarantee or 100% Profits.
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: Blue Guardian scores 8.8/10 vs OneUp Trader at 8.9/10.
Minimum Fee: Blue Guardian starts from —; OneUp Trader starts from $65/mo.
Profit Split: Blue Guardian offers Up to 90%; OneUp Trader offers 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader has the higher split.
Platforms: Blue Guardian supports MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, Match Trader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, DeepCharts; OneUp Trader is on NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, TradeStation, Tradovate, and 15+ more.
Tradeable Markets: Blue Guardian covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities, CME Futures; 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 Blue Guardian and OneUp Trader compare on pricing.
Blue Guardian challenge fees start from —. The firm has operated since 2021. They have funded over 100,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $25,000,000+.
OneUp Trader challenge fees start from $65/mo. The firm has operated since 2016.
Blue Guardian profit split: Up to 90%. OneUp Trader profit split: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: Blue Guardian pays On-demand / Daily (Futures Express) / Every 3 days (Futures Standard); OneUp Trader pays Weekly. Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of Blue Guardian:
Blue Guardian was founded in June 2021 by CEO Sean Bainton and is registered in Saint Lucia with operations across 170+ countries. With $25M+ in total payouts distributed, 100,000+ active traders, and a Discord community of 150,000+ members, Blue Guardian has become one of the larger prop trading communities in the space. The platform covers both CFD trading (forex, metals, indices, crypto, commodities) and CME futures, with nine distinct program types across the two tracks.
The firm carries notable sports endorsements — UK boxing champion Chris Eubank Jr and Birmingham City FC — reflecting an unusually high marketing investment for a prop firm. Google reviews sit at 4.9/5.
Blue Guardian suits traders across a wide range of styles. Five CFD program types accommodate everyone from instant-funded traders to 3-step evaluation traders who want more time and breathing room. For futures traders, four separate programs cover daily payout structures, no-daily-loss-limit accounts, and instant direct funding. Expert Advisors and trade copiers are permitted on CFD accounts, making Blue Guardian one of the few platforms where systematic traders can operate without restriction.
News trading is blocked on CFD accounts but permitted on the Futures Express program — a useful distinction for traders whose strategies depend on news momentum.
All CFD programs carry a 90% profit split, no time limit, and weekend/overnight holding. Leverage up to 1:30.
Platforms: MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker, cTrader, Match Trader.
Four futures programs trade CME-listed contracts on NinjaTrader, Tradovate, DeepCharts, and TradingView.
Blue Guardian’s payout guarantee is among the strongest in the industry: if a verified payout request is not processed within 24 hours, the trader receives 100% of the profits rather than the standard split. Methods: Rise or cryptocurrency.
Blue Guardian earns a 7.8 BestProp score. Nine program types across CFD and CME futures, EA and copier permissions on CFD accounts, a 24-hour guarantee with a 100% profit penalty for delays, and a 4.9/5 Google rating make this a well-rounded platform. The $25M+ in payouts and 100K+ active trader base provide meaningful validation.
The Futures Direct program’s 20–30% split is unusually low and should be weighed carefully against the convenience of skipping evaluation. News trading is blocked on all CFD programs. No independent Trustpilot data was available at time of writing — community ratings via Google and Prop Firm Match (4.6/5) are the primary external benchmarks.
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 Blue Guardian 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.
Both firms have similar entry-level pricing. Compare the full fee schedule for your target account size.
OneUp Trader offers the higher profit split. Blue Guardian: Up to 90%. OneUp Trader: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%.
EA policies: Blue Guardian — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: Blue Guardian — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review.
Read the full Blue Guardian 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.
Blue Guardian offers 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.
Blue Guardian processes first payouts in 7 day(s), while OneUp Trader takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither Blue Guardian 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.
