Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | Fintokei | City Traders Imperium |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 100% | 80% (up to 100%) |
| First Payout | — | On demand (after 7 profitable days) |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (avg 3h 4m) | Monthly (1-Step/2-Step); Bi-weekly (Instant) |
| Max Account Size | $400,000 | $100,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of Fintokei 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.
Fintokei: 3-Hour Payouts. TradingView Platform. €4M Scaling.
City Traders Imperium: Est. 2018. No Daily Loss Limit on 1-Step. Monthly Salary. Scales to $4M.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, Fintokei scores 9.3/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: Fintokei scores 9.3/10 vs City Traders Imperium at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: Fintokei starts from $44; City Traders Imperium starts from $29. City Traders Imperium is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: Fintokei offers 80% → 100%; City Traders Imperium offers 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium has the higher split.
Platforms: Fintokei supports TradingView, MT5, cTrader; City Traders Imperium is on MT5, Match Trader.
Tradeable Markets: Fintokei covers Forex, Metals, Energy, Indices; 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 Fintokei and City Traders Imperium compare on pricing.
Fintokei challenge fees start from $44. The firm has operated since 2023.
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.
Fintokei profit split: 80% → 100%. City Traders Imperium profit split: 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: Fintokei pays On-demand (avg 3h 4m); 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 Fintokei:
Fintokei is the prop trading product of Purple, a Czech fintech group with roots going back to 2011. The platform itself launched in 2023 under CEO David Varga and has rapidly built a reputation for two things: industry-leading payout speed (3 hours 4 minutes average) and genuine program diversity — four distinct evaluation paths covering beginners through professional traders.
Headquartered in Brno, Czech Republic, Fintokei is EU-based and positions itself as a transparent, education-first firm. Up to three free trial accounts are available before any purchase, and all programs come with a built-in loyalty program for active traders.
Fintokei suits a wide range of traders thanks to its four-program structure. The StartTrader 3-step path with 2%/3%/6% incremental targets is genuinely designed for traders still building consistency — not just labelled as a beginner product. The SwiftTrader 100% profit split with no phase 2 target is one of the most competitive single-step offers available for experienced traders. ProTrader’s $400,000 maximum account size and €4M scaling ceiling attract serious full-time traders.
Note: Fintokei covers forex, metals, energies, and indices but does not currently offer crypto or stock CFDs on its own platform. Traders who need crypto exposure should look at crypto-specific prop firms.
Four evaluation paths:
Fintokei supports three platforms — a notably different combination from most competitors:
Tradable instruments: forex pairs, CFD metals, CFD energies, CFD indices. Zero commission on oil and indices. Max risk per trade: 3% across all programs.
Fintokei earns an 8.4 BestProp score. The 3-hour payout average is the fastest we have seen. The TradingView platform integration is unique in the prop firm space. The SwiftTrader 100% profit split and the €4M scaling ceiling are both class-leading features. The EU foundation and Purple fintech group backing provide credibility that many standalone prop firms lack.
The trade-offs: no crypto or stocks, StartTrader’s 50% starting split is low, and the 180-day maximum time limit on StartTrader adds pressure for beginners. For forex and commodities traders who prioritise payout speed, platform quality, and high scaling ceilings, Fintokei is one of the strongest offerings in the 2026 prop firm landscape.
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 Fintokei 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, Fintokei scores higher overall (9.3/10). 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. Fintokei: 80% → 100%. City Traders Imperium: 80% (up to 100%).
EA policies: Fintokei — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: Fintokei — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review.
Read the full Fintokei review → · Read the full City Traders Imperium review →
Based on our scoring methodology, Fintokei 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.
Fintokei offers 80% → 100% 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.
Fintokei 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 Fintokei 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.
