Your first evaluation is a learning cost. Optimise for the cost of being wrong, not for the size of the account.
The four things that matter on a first account
| Priority | What to look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A cheap attempt | You will probably need more than one. Make each one small. |
| 2 | No time limit | Deadline pressure is the fastest route to overtrading. |
| 3 | Static drawdown | A trailing floor punishes exactly the early wins that build confidence. |
| 4 | Zero minimum trading days | Removes the temptation to take filler trades. |
What does not matter yet
- Reward split. The difference between 80% and 100% is irrelevant if you do not reach a funded account.
- Account size. A $400,000 account you cannot trade at 0.5% risk is worse than a $25,000 one you can.
- Add-ons. Buy the account, not the upgrades.
- Scaling plans. These matter in month six, not week one.
Before you buy anything
Trade your strategy on a demo for 30 trades at fixed risk, and log every one. If that sample is not positive, an evaluation will confirm it expensively. There is a full 90-day sequence in how to become a funded trader.
A first attempt costs $9.99
No time limit, zero minimum trading days on the Pay After Pass challenge, static drawdown on every evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best prop firm for beginners?
One where an attempt is cheap, there is no time limit, the maximum loss is static and there is no minimum trading day requirement. Those four remove the pressures that cause most first-attempt failures.
What account size should a beginner start with?
The largest size you can trade at 0.5% risk per position without the dollar amounts affecting your decisions. For most new traders that is $10,000 to $50,000.
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.