Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | HyroTrader | City Traders Imperium |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 90% | 80% (up to 100%) |
| First Payout | — | On demand (after 7 profitable days) |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (within 12h) | Monthly (1-Step/2-Step); Bi-weekly (Instant) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $100,000 |
Winner: HyroTrader
In this independent head-to-head comparison of HyroTrader 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.
HyroTrader: Tech-First Crypto Prop Trading
City Traders Imperium: Est. 2018. No Daily Loss Limit on 1-Step. Monthly Salary. Scales to $4M.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, HyroTrader scores 9.7/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: HyroTrader scores 9.7/10 vs City Traders Imperium at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: HyroTrader starts from $59; City Traders Imperium starts from $29. City Traders Imperium is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: HyroTrader offers 80% → 90%; City Traders Imperium offers 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium has the higher split.
Platforms: HyroTrader supports Bybit, Tealstreet, Cleo; City Traders Imperium is on MT5, Match Trader.
Tradeable Markets: HyroTrader covers Crypto (700+ pairs); 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 HyroTrader and City Traders Imperium compare on pricing.
HyroTrader challenge fees start from $59. The firm has operated since 2022. They have funded over 1,700+ traders. Total payouts to date: $5M+.
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.
HyroTrader profit split: 80% → 90%. City Traders Imperium profit split: 80% (up to 100%). City Traders Imperium delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: HyroTrader pays On-demand (within 12h); 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 HyroTrader:
HyroTrader is a Prague-based cryptocurrency proprietary trading firm founded in 2022, built for professional crypto traders who want institutional-grade execution without the capital requirement. Unlike most prop firms that treat crypto as an afterthought, HyroTrader is crypto-native from the ground up — offering access to 700+ perpetual futures pairs across exchanges including Bybit, Binance, Bitget, OKX, and Hyperliquid through their proprietary terminals.
With 1,700+ funded traders and over $5M paid out, the firm has established a track record in the competitive crypto prop space. The standout feature is payouts processed within 12 hours of request — among the fastest in the industry.
HyroTrader is built specifically for experienced cryptocurrency traders. If you primarily trade forex, stocks, or indices this firm is not for you — the platform is crypto-only. But if crypto perpetual futures are your primary market, HyroTrader offers deep liquidity via direct API connections to major exchanges, tight spreads, and a clean two-format challenge structure.
The firm suits traders who prefer a tech-forward environment — the platforms (Bybit, Tealstreet, Cleo) are industry-standard crypto tools used by professional traders, not proprietary black-box simulators.
HyroTrader offers two challenge formats:
Fees start at $59 (One-Step, $5,000) and scale to $969 ($200,000). All fees are refundable upon your first funded payout.
HyroTrader uses a stricter drawdown structure than most crypto prop firms:
The 4%/6% rules are tighter than the 5%/10% you see at most competitors. This rewards disciplined, systematic traders but will challenge those running high-volatility strategies.
The technology stack is HyroTrader’s genuine differentiator. Rather than a single proprietary platform, they offer:
The Bybit API integration is the headline feature — funded traders are executing on actual exchange infrastructure, not a simulated environment. This gives execution quality that simulated platforms cannot match.
HyroTrader’s payout structure is among the strongest in crypto prop trading:
The 12-hour processing eliminates one of the biggest pain points in the prop firm space, where waiting 7–30 days for withdrawals is common.
HyroTrader earns its 7.8 BestProp score through genuine technical depth, real exchange infrastructure, and class-leading payout speed. The crypto-native architecture and multi-exchange access make it one of the most serious options for professional crypto futures traders.
The strict 4%/6% drawdown rules are the main trade-off — they’re designed to fund disciplined traders rather than high-risk short-term players. If your strategy can operate within those guardrails and crypto is your primary market, HyroTrader is a firm worth serious consideration.
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 HyroTrader 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, HyroTrader scores higher overall (9.7/10). 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. HyroTrader: 80% → 90%. City Traders Imperium: 80% (up to 100%).
EA policies: HyroTrader — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: HyroTrader — check the review. City Traders Imperium — check the review.
Read the full HyroTrader review → · Read the full City Traders Imperium review →
Based on our scoring methodology, HyroTrader 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.
HyroTrader 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! HyroTrader: 5% off — code BESTPROP. See the offer button above for full terms.
HyroTrader 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 HyroTrader 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.
