Prop firms have opened the doors for everyday traders to get access to serious funding, keep a large amount of the profits, and grow all without putting their own money on the line.
Sounds great, right?
You’ve got many options. And one of the biggest questions traders face is this:

Should you go for instant funding or take the evaluation route first?

Instant funding lets you skip the waiting and jump straight into live trading. But evaluation programs ask you to prove your trading skills before handing over the capital.

Each path has its advantages and its disadvantages too. The better fit depends on how confident you are, how much pressure you can handle, and what kind of trader you are.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the differences so you can figure out which option actually works best for your trading journey not just what sounds good.

Instant Funding Programs: A Quick Start to Capital

What Are Instant Funding Evaluation Programs?

Instant funding programs are for traders who don’t want to wait around or jump through hoops. Instead of proving yourself in a long evaluation phase, you can start trading with real money right away. No tests, no demo stages, just live capital from the start.

How does Instant Funding Works?

You pay for a live trading account usually anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 and once it’s set up (usually within a day or two), you’re in. You can start placing real trades under a set of risk rules laid out by the prop firm.

That means:

• No challenge to pass first
• No “prove-your-skills” stage
• Just straight into the markets with real capital

Why Traders Like Instant Funding

• Super quick setup – You could be trading live within 24 to 48 hours.
• No pressure – No evaluation phase to stress about.
• Great for confident traders – Already have a strategy that works? You’re ready to go.

But There Are a Few Downsides

• It costs more upfront – You’re paying for access, not earning it through a challenge.
• Profit splits can be lower, often 70/30 or 80/20.
• Tighter trading rules – Some prop firms limit news trading, scalping, or high-frequency setups.
• Less room for error – These accounts come with strict risk controls.

Top Prop Firms with Instant Funding Option 

Instant funding

Instant funding is associated with the IF Pro brokerage platform. 
Starting Fees and Account size: Instant funding offers a Challenge Fee starting from $44 for a 625k Account.
Profit Split: Instant funding provides up to a 70% Profit Split.
Instant funding Evaluation models include: One Phase, Two Phase, and Instant Funding challenge option.
Trading Platforms: Instant funding supports trading platforms such as cTrader, MatchTrader, and MetaTrader.

Want to save more on challenges?

Use The Trusted Prop coupon code: TRUSTED  and save up to 10% on Instant Funding Challenges.
For In-depth, check out our full review of Instant Funding.

FXIFY

The broker associated with FXIFY is FXPIG. 
Starting Cost: FXIFY offers a challenge Fee starting from $69 for a $1,000 account.
Profit Split: FXIFY offers up to an 80% profit split.
Trading Platforms supported by FXIFY are DXTrade, MetaTrader.
FXIFY Evaluation Models include: One Phase, Two Phase, Three Phase, and Instant Funding challenge options.

To save on challenges, Use The Trusted Prop coupon code: TRUSTED and save up to 15% on FXIFY challenges.
Read The Trusted Prop full review on FXIFY.

If you're wondering which prop firm is best for instant access, these are currently leading the way in 2025.

Understanding Evaluation Programs
 

What Are Evaluation Challenge Programs?

Evaluation programs, also called challenges or auditions, require traders to pass a performance test before receiving funded capital. These programs are popular for both beginners and disciplined traders looking for long-term funding and higher profit splits.

How Evaluation Programs Work

1. You pay a challenge fee to enter a 1-phase or 2-phase evaluation.
2. You must hit profit targets (e.g., 8–10%) while staying within risk rules (e.g., 5% daily drawdown).
3. Once passed, you’re upgraded to a live-funded account.
4. Some firms offer free retries if you meet the rules but don’t hit the target.

Pros of Evaluation Programs

• Lower entry costs – Most challenges start around $50–$250.
• Demonstrates skill and discipline – A good test of real-world performance.
• Better long-term terms – Some firms offer up to 90% or even 100% profit splits.
• Scalable accounts: Funded capital grows as you prove yourself

Cons of Evaluation Programs

• Takes time – Completing evaluations can take weeks or months.
• Stressful rules – Daily limits and time-bound targets can add pressure.
• No immediate funding – You trade a demo until you pass.

Best Prop Firms based on Evaluation Programs

The5ers

Broker: The5ers is associated with the Liquidity Providers brokerage platform.
Operating since: The5ers was founded in 2016. 
The5ers Challenge models include one-phase and two-phase challenge options with starting fees of $95 for a 10K forex account.
The5ers offers a gradual increase from 50% to 90% profit split.
Trading platforms: platforms supported by The5ers is on MetaTrader.

For in detailed review, read The Trusted Prop full review on The5ers.
Use Coupon Code: TRUSTED and save up to 5% off on The5ers challenge with The Trusted Prop.

FundedNext

Broker: The broker associated with FundedNext is Liquidity Providers.
Operating since: FundedNext prop firm has been operating since March 18, 2022.
Profit Split: FundedNext offers up to a 95% profit split.
Starting fees and account size: FundedNext challenge fee starts from $65 for a 6K account.
Challenge Options: The challenges offered at FundedNext include the One Phase and Two Phase Challenge options.
Trading Platforms: FundedNext supports trading on cTrader, MetaTrader.

For in detailed review of FundedNext, visit The Trusted Prop.
Use The Trusted Prop coupon code: TRUSTED to save 8% on FundedNext challenges.

Looking for the best prop firm for beginners? 

Evaluation programs are often recommended due to structure and affordability.

Key Differences Between Instant Funding & Evaluation Programs

Whether you're interested in trading with instant funding programs or proving yourself in an evaluation challenge model, knowing these differences will help you choose wisely.

Which Funded Program Suits You The Most?

You can choose from instant funding or evaluation however, both cannot be chosen at the same time. It all depends on your trading style.

Here is a short summary that can help you:

A. If You Require Flexibility and Speed

If you are an experienced trader and have your trading plan prepared, it does not involve waiting weeks for you to prove yourself.
Then perfect option for you is instant funding.

Go for instant funding if:

• You prefer instant motivation through instant access to capital,
• You are comfortable trading under a firm structure with rules that are actually at stake.

B. If You Respect Structure and Discipline

At times, you prefer to take a slower and more methodical approach, which means you are willing to stake your skills for some structured processes.
What you describe sounds more like evaluation programs.

Pick evaluation programs if:

• You accept the terms and plan of demo trading during the challenge
• You gain better profit splits, long-term scaling, and you appreciate discipline

C. If You’re Trying Out New Methods or Learning

If you have just begun learning, this approach helps you learn without being under pressure.
Such people would perfectly fit into evaluation accounts.

Use the evaluation accounts option if:  

• You want to practice trading without the risk of losing real money  
• You are on a limited budget  
• You want learning resources and the option to retry if you don’t succeed  

D. If You're Prepared and Experienced to Scale Quickly  

You have been trading for yourself or for others, and you just needed capital and greater profits.   
Instant funding cuts straight to the point.  

Choose Instant funding if:  

• If you are a trader already profitable  
• You do not require a challenge phase  
• You are prepared to follow the prop firm’s rules and adhere to strict risk management.  

Still wondering which options are best for your trading?  

Use The Trusted Prop Comparison Tool and see which prop firms fit your trading style, budget, and aims.

Funding v/s Evaluation Programs

Before choosing your funding path, consider these key factors:

Trading Goals

Short-term gains? Choose instant funding Programs.
Career-building? Choose Evaluation Programs

Risk Tolerance

Can you trade within strict risk rules? Choose instant funding Programs.
Or do you need more leeway to execute your strategy?

Cost vs. Profit Share

Instant funding = more upfront, lower split.
Evaluation  = less upfront, higher split potential

Time Commitment

Want results now? Instant funding will be the best option for you.
Willing to wait? Go for the Evaluation challenge

Long-Term Growth Potential

Evaluation-based programs typically offer:

• Better scaling plans
• Salary-based funding
• Consistency rewards

Final Thoughts: Pick the Path That Fits You

Both instant funding and evaluation programs can get you where you want to go. What matters most is choosing the route that matches how you trade and what you want from the journey.

Go with Instant Funding if:

• You’re confident in your strategy
• You’ve traded live before
• You’re ready to dive in and don’t want to wait

Choose Evaluation if:

• You like structure and learning step by step
• You’re working with a budget
• You want better splits and scaling in the long run

At the end of the day, it's all about knowing yourself, your strengths, your style, and your goals.
And if you're still unsure about your options?

Head to The Trusted Prop and explore our Comparison tool to filter prop firms and also visit our Best Deals Page to save on challenges.