Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AtmosFunded | City Traders Imperium |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | Up to 90% | 80% (up to 100%) |
| First Payout | On demand (Plus/Instant programs) | On demand (after 7 profitable days) |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly | Monthly (1-Step/2-Step); Bi-weekly (Instant) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $100,000 |
Winner: City Traders Imperium
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AtmosFunded 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.
AtmosFunded: From $21. 5 Programs. Backed by Taurex. 20+ Global Payment Methods.
City Traders Imperium: Est. 2018. No Daily Loss Limit on 1-Step. Monthly Salary. Scales to $4M.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, City Traders Imperium scores 8.6/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AtmosFunded scores 7.6/10 vs City Traders Imperium at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: AtmosFunded starts from $21; City Traders Imperium starts from $29. AtmosFunded is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: AtmosFunded offers Up to 90%; City Traders Imperium offers 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium has the higher split.
Platforms: AtmosFunded supports MT5; City Traders Imperium is on MT5, Match Trader.
Tradeable Markets: AtmosFunded covers Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Crypto; 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 AtmosFunded and City Traders Imperium compare on pricing.
AtmosFunded challenge fees start from $21. The firm has operated since 2024.
City Traders Imperium challenge fees start from $29. The firm has operated since 2018.
On entry-level pricing, AtmosFunded offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
AtmosFunded profit split: Up to 90%. City Traders Imperium profit split: 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AtmosFunded pays Bi-weekly; 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 AtmosFunded:
AtmosFunded is a proprietary trading program launched in November 2024 and registered in Nicosia, Cyprus, operated by Atmos Markets in collaboration with Taurex — an established regulated broker. The firm is led by CEO Nick Cooke. Despite being less than two years old, AtmosFunded has attracted 4.0/5 on Trustpilot from 262 reviews. Maximum account size is $200,000, scaling to $400,000 for strong performers. All accounts operate exclusively on MetaTrader 5.
AtmosFunded stands out for its pricing: the 2-Step Plus program starts at $21 for a $5,000 account, making it one of the most affordable funded trading entry points available. Five program types cover a wide range of evaluation preferences from instant funded access to methodical multi-step evaluation.
1-Step Standard ($32.25-$561.75): Single phase, 10% profit target. Daily loss: 3%. Max drawdown: 6% trailing (locks at initial balance as profits are made). Minimum 3 profitable days. Bi-weekly payouts after funding. Suited to traders wanting a straightforward single-phase challenge with clear trailing drawdown mechanics.
1-Step Plus ($27.75-$131.25 for $10K-$150K): Single phase, 6% profit target — lower than Standard. No daily loss limit. Max drawdown: 3% trailing (tighter, resets when profits are paid out). First payout on-demand, then every 14 days. The absence of a daily limit gives intraday flexibility, but the 3% total drawdown is very tight and rewards highly controlled position sizing.
2-Step Standard ($53.55-$840.65): Two phases: 10% (Phase 1) and 5% (Phase 2). Daily loss: 5%. Max drawdown: 10% static. Minimum 3 days per phase. Classic structure with the widest max drawdown buffer. Best for traders who want the most room for normal daily variance.
2-Step Plus ($21-$284.25 for $5K-$100K): Two phases: 6%/6% targets. Daily loss: 3%. Max drawdown: 6% static. Minimum 3 days. The lowest-fee program. First payout on demand after funding. Best suited to methodical, low-risk traders who prefer lower targets and lower fees over a wider drawdown buffer.
Instant Funding ($63.75-$551.65 for $5K-$100K): No evaluation. No profit target. Daily loss: 3%. Max drawdown: 5% trailing. Minimum 0 trading days. On-demand withdrawals. First funded payout without evaluation. Best for experienced traders who want immediate access and are confident in their drawdown management.
AtmosFunded charges $5.00 per round lot for Forex, metals, energy, and commodities. This is on the higher end of the prop firm commission spectrum — at scale, it meaningfully impacts net profitability. Factor this cost into target calculations: a trader completing 100 round trips per month on a $50K account adds $500 in commission on top of the evaluation fee.
Platform: MetaTrader 5 (MT5) only. Instruments: Forex, Crypto, Indices, Commodities, Metals. Broad payment method acceptance: cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Revolut, Crypto, and 20+ regional options including PIX (Brazil), Boleto, OXXO (LATAM), M-Pesa, GrabPay (Southeast Asia) — one of the most inclusive deposit method sets in the prop firm industry.
AtmosFunded earns a 6.3 BestProp score. Founded in November 2024, backed by Taurex (a regulated broker), and already at 4.0/5 Trustpilot from 262 reviews. The pricing is genuinely accessible — 2-Step Plus at $21 for a $5K account is hard to beat — and the 20+ regional payment methods are excellent for global accessibility. Five program types offer real structural variety including a no-daily-limit option (1-Step Plus) and on-demand withdrawals on Instant Funding.
The main concerns: the firm is less than two years old with a relatively small Trustpilot sample (262 reviews). MT5-only limits platform choice. The $5/lot commission is one of the highest in the prop industry and materially affects profitability on active accounts. The 1-Step Plus 3% total drawdown is extremely tight. Given its very young age and limited track record, AtmosFunded is a reasonable pick for low-fee experimentation or for traders in regions where payment options matter — but not yet the choice for a trader’s primary funded programme.
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 City Traders Imperium the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If AtmosFunded 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, City Traders Imperium scores higher overall (8.6/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
AtmosFunded 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. AtmosFunded: Up to 90%. City Traders Imperium: 80% (up to 100%).
EA policies: AtmosFunded — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AtmosFunded — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review.
Read the full AtmosFunded review → · Read the full City Traders Imperium review →
Based on our scoring methodology, City Traders Imperium 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.
AtmosFunded offers Up to 90% profit split, while City Traders Imperium offers 80% (up to 100%) profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.
AtmosFunded processes first payouts in On demand (Plus/Instant programs) day(s), 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 AtmosFunded 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.
