FundedAxe and Atlas Funded run the two best-known pay-after-pass models: start an evaluation for a few dollars, and the real challenge fee only exists once you pass. Same idea — meaningfully different numbers. Everything below is from both firms' public pages as of 5 August 2026; terms change, so verify on each site before buying.
The models side by side
| FundedAxe | Atlas Funded | |
|---|---|---|
| Start today | $9.99 — any size | $0–$5 depending on tier |
| Due after passing | $89–$1,749 by size and path | $58–$2,040 by size |
| Account sizes | $10,000–$400,000 | $5,000–$400,000 |
| Reward split | 90%, up to 100% with add-on | Up to 100% |
| Fee refund | Pro fee refunded on 2nd reward | Refunded on 4th payout |
| Drawdown | Static, never trails | 7% max / 5% daily (Free Access) |
| Time limit | None | None (Free Access) |
| Payout cadence | Day 10, then every 14 days — 48h processing or we pay you $1,000 | On-demand payouts advertised |
| Free option | Free $1,000 trial, no card | $0 Free Access tier |
Where Atlas Funded is strong
Credit where due: Atlas effectively built the pay-after-pass category's search presence — a large content library, comparison pages against most big firms, a six-language site and a $0 entry tier. If you want the absolute lowest cost to open a challenge today, $0 beats $9.99.
Where FundedAxe differs
- Refund timing: FundedAxe Pro's fee comes back on your 2nd reward; Atlas advertises the 4th payout. Two payout cycles' difference is real money for a consistent trader.
- A payout guarantee with teeth: rewards processed within 48 hours or FundedAxe pays you $1,000 on top.
- Rules locked at purchase — the drawdown model and targets you buy are the ones you keep.
- The free option is a real $1,000 simulated account with no card on file, and up to $10 of trial performance is withdrawable.
The honest bottom line: if entry price is everything, Atlas's $0 tier wins by $9.99. If you're optimising for what happens after you pass — refund speed, payout guarantee, rule stability — compare the right-hand columns above, not the door price.
Frequently asked questions
Is Atlas Funded the same kind of firm as FundedAxe?
Both are simulated-trading prop firms with pay-after-pass models: a small fee to start, with the challenge fee charged only on passing. The differences are in the numbers — entry price, activation fees, refund timing and payout terms.
Which is cheaper to try?
Atlas's Free Access tier is $0 to open; FundedAxe is $9.99 for any size — and also offers a free $1,000 trial with no card. Total cost after passing depends on account size at both firms, so compare the activation fee for the size you actually want.
Are these numbers current?
They were checked on 5 August 2026 from both firms' public pages. Prop firm pricing changes often — treat the tables as a snapshot and verify on each site before purchasing.
FundedAxe evaluations and funded accounts are simulated. Traders do not trade real client capital; rewards are paid on simulated performance under the terms of the FundedAxe trader agreement.