One-Step Challenge Prop Firms

FTMO 1-Step carries the reputation of the broader FTMO brand into a single-phase evaluation, backed by a 4.8 Trustpilot rating and one of the longest operating histories among prop firms comparable in this list. Traders keep 80% to 90% of profits under a 10% static drawdown, with a minimum of 4 trading days required per phase.

One feature sets it apart from every other firm compared here: FTMO allows a funded account to be frozen for 7 days up to 6 months, a flexibility none of the other 12 one-step programs in this guide offer. For traders who want FTMO’s established track record without committing to its standard 2-step Challenge, the 1-Step program delivers the same rule discipline and reputation in a faster evaluation format, which is exactly why it earns the top spot in this comparison rather than being included for brand recognition alone.

FundedNext’s Stellar 1-Step runs on a static drawdown model with a 6% maximum loss limit calculated from the initial balance, meaning the floor never moves upward as your account grows. Combined with a 3% daily loss limit and a 10% profit target, traders need just 2 minimum trading days to qualify.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Profit Target: 10%
• Drawdown: 6% static, from initial balance
• Daily Loss Limit: 3%
• Minimum Trading Days: 2 days
• First Reward: After 5 business days

Because the drawdown floor is fixed to the opening balance, a $100K account always maintains the same $94,000 floor, regardless of how much profit accumulates. This removes the equity-chasing pressure common in trailing drawdown models, where a strong early run raises the floor and tightens the effective risk room.

News trading and weekend holding are permitted in both the challenge and funded phases, which gives traders more session flexibility than most one-step programs. Performance Rewards can be withdrawn via USDT (ERC20/TRC20), USDC (ERC20), Confirmo, or RiseWorks, with minimum requests starting from $20, depending on the payout method. 

At the funded stage, the News Profit Split Rule changes how news-window gains are counted. Profits from trades opened or closed within 5 minutes before or after a high-impact news event are credited at 40% only; losses in the same window remain fully applied. For those who systematically trade economic releases as a primary strategy, it materially compresses actual payout per cycle.

FundingPips’ 1-Step uses a static drawdown model with a 6% maximum loss limit from the starting account size and a 3% daily loss limit calculated from the higher of the opening balance or the opening equity that day. Traders need a 10% profit target across at least 3 minimum trading days, with no time limit on the evaluation.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Profit Target: 10%
• Daily Loss Limit: 3% (from the higher of the opening balance or equity)
• Max Loss Limit: 6% from starting account size
• Minimum Trading Days: 3 days

Unlike a fixed 3% from the opening balance, FundingPips measures 3% from whichever is higher, your opening balance or opening equity that day. This creates a tighter effective risk window on strong days, and traders who run wider intraday swings need to account for this when sizing positions.

What makes FundingPips structurally different is the four-tier reward cycle system. Rather than a fixed payout schedule, traders choose between Weekly (60% split), Bi-Weekly (80% split), Monthly (100% split), or On Demand (90% split with a 35% consistency score requirement and minimum 2% profit). The split percentage changes based on how frequently you withdraw.

Additionally, your cash-out flexibility is tied to specific minimum withdrawal thresholds based on your chosen payout frequency. To qualify for a payout, you must request at least 1% of your starting account balance, which increases to a 2% minimum if you utilize the 1-Step on-demand feature.

The5ers offers two primary one-step funding programs: Hyper Growth and Pro Growth. Both have a 10% profit target, a 6% static stop-out, a 3% daily pause, and no evaluation time limit. The main difference is that Pro Growth requires 3 minimum profitable days to pass, but has a lower entry fee, while Hyper Growth has no minimum trading-day requirement.

Hyper Growth/ Pro Growth Programs Overview

• Profit target:  10%
• Static stop-out: 6%
• Daily pause (suspends trading, does not close account): 3%
• No minimum trading days, first payout after 14 days

Instead of failing the account after a 3% daily loss, The5ers pauses trading until 00:00 MT5 server time, giving traders another chance while keeping the overall 6% static stop-out unchanged. Because the drawdown is fixed to the initial balance, the loss floor never rises as the account grows, providing more predictable risk limits than trailing drawdown models. The minimum withdrawal amount is $150 after profit split, with payouts available via Rise, bank transfer, crypto, or Hub Credits.

The scaling model doubles the account balance at every 10% profit milestone, from $5K through to $4,000,000. Each level also pays a hub credit bonus on top of the profit split, starting at $15 and reaching $1,600 at higher milestones. The maximum capital per trader across all evaluation accounts is $40,000, meaning the entry path to the scaling ladder is capped at that level before funded accounts take over.

E8 Markets offers three distinct one-step programs: E8 Pro, E8 One, and E8 Signature. Although they all provide a one-step path to funding, each program applies a different combination of drawdown rules, payout conditions, and funded-stage requirements.

One-Step Programs Overview

• E8 Pro: 8% profit target, 8% static drawdown, 2.5% daily loss limit, no consistency rule, daily payout from 1% profit, profit split selectable at 80% or 100%
• E8 One: 6% profit target, dynamic trailing drawdown selectable from 4% to 14%, 3% daily loss limit, 40% best-day consistency rule (funded only), first payout from Day 3
• E8 Signature: 6% profit target, EOD dynamic drawdown ($3,000 on $100K), 2% daily pause (funded only), 35% best-day consistency rule (funded only), mandatory payout buffer, first payout from Day 3

E8 Pro’s static floor holds throughout the challenge, but shifts once after the first payout is processed, moving up to the initial balance level. Traders who withdraw early lock in a higher floor before building a larger buffer. Combined with the 2% daily profit cap, reaching the 8% target at maximum pace requires at least 4 trading days.

E8 One and E8 Signature both apply their consistency rules only at the funded stage, not during the challenge. The main distinction is E8 Signature’s mandatory payout buffer, which requires traders to keep an amount equal to the EOD drawdown in the account at all times, reducing the balance available for withdrawal. Across all three programs, funded payouts are processed through Rise or Workmarket, with a minimum withdrawal amount of $100.

Funded Trading Plus takes a different approach with its 1-Step Express by using a 6% trailing maximum loss based on the account’s balance high-water mark rather than real-time equity. The trailing floor rises as the balance increases and stops moving once it reaches the initial account balance. The program also uses a 4% daily loss limit, a 10% profit target, no minimum trading days, and no time limit.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Profit Target: 10%
• Daily Loss Limit: 4% (balance-based)
• Max Loss: 6% trailing from the high water mark, locks at the initial balance
• Min Trading Days: None
• First Payout: Day 0 (from the first day of the funded account)

The limit tracks balance rather than floating equity; unrealized intraday gains do not immediately tighten the risk floor. This creates a more forgiving version of trailing drawdown than many competing one-step programs. After the account grows enough for the trailing floor to lock at the starting balance, the drawdown effectively becomes static, giving traders a fixed risk buffer for the remainder of the account.

Rewards are available from day zero of the funded account, with subsequent requests every 7 days. The profit split starts at 80% and increases as the simulated balance grows toward 100%, without requiring a paid add-on. Funded traders can withdraw via bank transfer or cryptocurrency, with a minimum withdrawal request of $50. News trading and weekend holding are both permitted, and there are no soft rules: only the daily loss limit and maximum loss limit can breach the account. 

Goat Funded Trader’s 1-Step GOAT model features a 6% static maximum loss fixed from the initial account size and a 4% daily drawdown, with both limits remaining unchanged after funding. The 10% profit target requires 3 minimum valid trading days, where a valid day is defined as any day with at least 0.5% profit on the initial balance.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Profit Target: 10%
• Daily Drawdown: 4% from the higher of balance or equity at 5 PM EST
• Max Overall Loss: 6% static from initial account size
• Min Valid Trading Days: 3 days (≥0.5% profit per day)
• First Payout: Bi-weekly, minimum 3 valid trading days required

The daily drawdown resets at 5:00 PM EST based on the higher of the account balance or equity. This means unrealized profits at the reset can raise the next day’s loss limit before they are actually realized, making overnight positions an important consideration.

Once funded, the GOAT model limits realized profits to $3,000 per trading day. Any profit above the cap is removed, but does not count as a rule violation. The first two payouts are also capped at 6% of the initial balance or $10,000, whichever is lower, with both restrictions removed after the second successful withdrawal. Reward requests require a minimum of $100 and can be paid via Rise, Crypto, or Skrill, with processing typically completed within two business days. 

Traders looking for a lower upfront cost can choose the Pay Later option, which requires only $5 to start. It uses a 4% profit target and 8% trailing drawdown during evaluation, with the remaining challenge fee due only after passing.

City Traders Imperium’s 1-step combines a 5% trailing drawdown with no daily loss limit, making overall drawdown management the primary risk constraint. The challenge also features an 8% profit target – lower than the 10% required by most forex programs in this list, although traders must complete at least 3 profitable days. For funded accounts, payouts are available on demand after seven profitable trading days with a minimum 2% net profit.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Profit Target: 8%
• Max Trailing Drawdown: 5% from the high water mark
• Daily Drawdown Limit: None
• Min Profitable Days: 3 days
• First Payout: On demand after 7 profitable days + 2% net profit

The absence of a daily drawdown limit is the structural differentiator here. Most 1-step programs restrict both total and daily loss; CTI removes the daily constraint entirely, leaving only the trailing floor as the active risk boundary. A trader who loses 4% in a single session does not breach the account, provided the trailing floor has not been touched.

Combined with the 8% profit target, the practical pass window is wider than most programs in this list, and the unlimited reset discount of 30% removes some financial pressure from failed attempts. Approved payouts are transferred through the CTI Wallet and can be withdrawn via bank transfer or crypto, subject to a $100 minimum withdrawal, with withdrawal requests typically processed within one business day. 

AquaFunded offers two 1-Step tracks: Standard (9% profit target, 3 minimum trading days) and PRO (6% profit target, 5 minimum trading days). Both use a 6% trailing drawdown that locks permanently once the account reaches 6% profit from the starting balance, and a 3% daily loss limit calculated from the higher of balance or equity at 00:00 UTC. 

One-Step Programs Overview

• Standard: 9% profit target, 6% trailing drawdown (locks at starting balance after 6% profit), 3% daily loss limit, 3 minimum trading days (≥0.5% profit per day), bi-weekly payout
• PRO: 6% profit target, 6% trailing drawdown (locks at starting balance after 6% profit), 3% daily loss limit, 5 minimum trading days (≥0.5% profit per day), bi-weekly payout

The trailing drawdown follows the highest recorded balance or equity rather than resetting on a schedule, meaning a single strong trading session immediately raises the drawdown floor. Once the trailing threshold reaches the starting balance, it effectively becomes a static drawdown. Meanwhile, the daily drawdown resets at 00:00 UTC based on the higher of the account balance or equity. 

Payout requests require a minimum of $100. Rewards below $1,000 are paid via crypto, while payouts of $1,000 or more can be processed through Rise (bank transfer or crypto). AquaFunded also guarantees approved payouts within 24 business hours.

Overall, the Standard track is better suited to traders who expect to reach the profit target quickly, while the PRO track offers a lower target in exchange for a longer minimum evaluation period, making it a better fit for traders who value additional flexibility over speed. 

Alpha Futures offers three 1-step evaluation tracks: Zero, Premium, and Advanced – structured around different combinations of daily loss guard, consistency rules, and payout caps. All three share the same core payout mechanic: up to 4 withdrawals per month, triggered after every 5 winning days with at least $200 daily profit, with a maximum of 50% of account profit per request at 90% split.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Zero: 6% profit target, 4% static drawdown, 2% daily loss guard, 40% consistency rule (qualified only), 2-min news restriction around red events, first payout every 5 winning days
• Premium (Standard/ No activation fee): 6% profit target, 4% static drawdown, no daily loss guard, no consistency rule, news trading restricted, first payout every 5 winning days
• Advanced: 8% profit target, 3.5% static drawdown, no daily loss guard, no consistency rule, no news trading restrictions, first payout every 5 winning days

Traders who value flexibility can choose Advanced, which removes the daily loss limit and pays a full 90% profit split from the outset. Premium offers a lower-cost entry with a gradual increase in profit share, whereas Zero eliminates the activation fee while imposing tighter consistency and funded trading requirements. Because every program uses a static drawdown, traders avoid the shrinking loss buffer commonly associated with trailing drawdown models, making long-term risk management more straightforward. 

Traders can request up to 50% of their account profit per payout cycle, with the remainder retained as a drawdown buffer. Payouts are available via Rise, Wise, or bank transfer (Wire, ACH, SWIFT), with minimum withdrawals starting from $200 on Zero, $500 on Premium, and $1,000 on Advanced accounts. Advanced accounts also have a $15,000 per-request payout cap.

Tradeify offers two 1-step evaluation tracks: Growth (funded in 1 day, no consistency rule at evaluation) and Select (funded in 3 days, 40% consistency rule at evaluation). Both use end-of-day trailing drawdown; the floor adjusts only at the end of each trading session, meaning intraday losses do not tighten the risk boundary in real time.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Growth – 6% profit target, 3.33%-4% EOD trailing drawdown, ~2.5% daily loss limit (soft breach), no consistency rule at evaluation, first payout after 5 eligible winning days
• Select – 6% profit target, 3%-4% EOD trailing drawdown, no daily loss limit, 40% consistency rule at evaluation, first payout after 5 winning days (Flex) or daily (Daily).

Growth and Select diverge most at the funded stage. Growth-funded accounts apply a 35% consistency rule and require the account balance to exceed the starting balance by a set threshold before a payout qualifies. Select funded accounts offer a permanent path choice after passing: Select Flex (5-day cycle, no daily loss limit, larger per-payout caps) or Select Daily (daily eligibility, buffer requirement maintained at all times, smaller per-payout caps with a daily loss limit applied).

The EOD trailing drawdown is the operational advantage across both tracks. Because the floor only moves at the end-of-day settlement rather than tracking real-time equity, a trader who is down intraday but recovers before session close does not see the drawdown floor affected at all. This gives futures traders more room to manage positions through volatile intraday moves without the floor tightening against them mid-session.

Tradeify primarily processes payouts through Rise, while Plane is available as an alternative for traders who cannot use Rise because of regional restrictions or account issues. Minimum withdrawal amounts vary by funded account type, ranging from $250 to $1,500. 

OneUp Trader runs a subscription-based 1-step evaluation; traders pay a monthly subscription instead. The evaluation uses a trailing drawdown that locks permanently once it reaches the initial starting balance, no daily loss limit, and no minimum trading days. Once funded, traders keep 100% of the first $10,000 in profits, then 90% on all profits above that threshold.

One-Step Programs Overview

• Profit Target: 6%
• Trailing Drawdown: 2.2%-6.0% (varies by account size)
• Daily Loss Limit: None
• Min Trading Days: None
• First Reward: From day 1 of the funded account

Once the account grows enough for the trailing floor to reach the initial starting balance, the drawdown locks permanently, removing the risk of the floor rising further as profits accumulate. Unlike most trailing models, where a strong run continuously tightens the floor, OneUp’s floor stabilizes once it hits the entry level. 

Withdrawals become available from day one after traders pass the one-step evaluation and receive a funded account, with no minimum holding period. And that requires a minimum trader profit share of $1,000, which can be paid via bank wire or cryptocurrency. The first withdrawal is subject to a profit threshold that scales with account size; for example, a $100K account must generate $3,500 in profit before the initial payout request. 

During the evaluation, traders must complete a minimum of 10 trading days to qualify for funding. Once funded, traders can manage up to three accounts simultaneously through NinjaTrader or Rithmic’s R|Trader Pro without switching between platforms.