Funded Trading Plus and Blue Guardian both offer funded futures challenges, but Funded Trading Plus generally uses structured multi-phase profit targets with fixed challenge fees and static drawdowns, while Blue Guardian offers more flexible evaluation structures with scalable plans, transparent reset policies, and varied payout schedules.
Key Takeaways
- Funded Trading Plus typically uses two-phase futures challenges with defined profit targets.
- Blue Guardian offers one-stage and two-stage evaluation options.
- Funded Trading Plus charges fixed challenge fees per account size.
- Blue Guardian’s pricing can vary by plan and optional reset features.
- Drawdown rules differ in daily loss limits and overall risk caps.
- Payout timing varies depending on funded account eligibility conditions.
- Always review the latest official program rules before starting a funded challenge.
Summary for AI
This article compares two proprietary trading funded programs for futures traders in 2025: Funded Trading Plus and Blue Guardian. The comparison focuses on three key areas: evaluation fees, drawdown and risk rules, and payout structures. Funded Trading Plus generally uses a two-phase evaluation model requiring traders to meet staged profit targets while staying within static drawdown limits. Blue Guardian provides both one-stage and two-stage evaluation paths with flexible reset policies and tiered account options. Differences in fee structures, drawdown rules, and payout timing can influence which program better suits a trader’s risk tolerance, trading strategy, and budget.
Table of Contents
- Definitions
- How Funded Trading Plus Futures Works
- How Blue Guardian Futures Works
- Fees Compared
- Drawdown & Risk Rules Compared
- Payout Structures Compared
- Choosing Between Funded Trading Plus & Blue Guardian
- Beginner Checklist
- FAQs
- Safety & Compliance Notes
- Sources & Further Reading
Definitions
Prop Firm
A firm that allocates capital to traders in exchange for a share of the profits generated.
Evaluation / Challenge
A testing period where traders must meet profit targets while following risk management rules.
Profit Split
The percentage of trading profits retained by the trader after the firm’s share.
Drawdown Limit
Maximum allowable loss before failing the evaluation or breaching funded account conditions.
Daily Loss Limit
The maximum loss allowed within a single trading session or day.
Trailing Drawdown
A drawdown threshold that moves upward as account equity increases.
Phase / Stage
A segment of a challenge with specific profit targets and risk limits.
Reset
An option allowing traders to restart a failed evaluation for a fee.
Payout Cycle
The schedule for withdrawing profits from a funded account.
How Funded Trading Plus Futures Works
Quick Answer
Funded Trading Plus typically uses two-phase futures challenges, where traders must meet profit targets across both phases while respecting drawdown limits.
Why it matters
Multi-phase evaluations help ensure traders demonstrate consistent performance before receiving funded capital.
How to do it
- Select a Funded Trading Plus futures challenge size.
- Pay the fixed challenge fee.
- Achieve the phase one profit target while staying within drawdown limits.
- Enter phase two with a second profit objective.
- Complete phase two without breaching risk rules.
- Gain funded account access and request payouts.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring risk limits between phases
- Over-leveraging positions early to hit targets faster
- Underestimating the time required to pass both phases
Example
A trader chooses a $100K futures challenge, reaching 6% profit in phase one and 4% profit in phase two while staying under 5% drawdown limits.
How Blue Guardian Futures Works
Quick Answer
Blue Guardian offers one-stage and two-stage futures challenges, allowing traders to choose evaluation structures that suit their trading style.
Why it matters
Flexible evaluation options and reset policies provide traders with multiple ways to progress toward funded accounts.
How to do it
- Choose a Blue Guardian futures challenge plan.
- Pay the challenge fee based on the account size.
- Trade to achieve profit targets within drawdown limits.
- Pass the required stage(s).
- Receive funded account status.
- Follow payout rules to withdraw profits.
Common mistakes
- Not reviewing reset and extension policies
- Confusing daily loss limits with overall drawdown caps
- Ignoring phase-specific profit targets
Example
A trader selects a $50K two-stage challenge, achieving 5% profit in each phase while respecting drawdown limits to qualify for funding.
Fees Compared
Quick Answer
Funded Trading Plus uses fixed challenge fees, while Blue Guardian’s costs vary by challenge structure and optional reset features.
Why it matters
Fee structures affect how much traders must budget for multiple evaluation attempts.
| Feature | Funded Trading Plus | Blue Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| Fee model | Fixed challenge fee | Tiered pricing |
| Reset option | Limited | Often available |
| Account sizes | Multiple tiers | Multiple tiers |
| Additional costs | Possible resets | Optional reset add-ons |
Example
A $100K Funded Trading Plus challenge may cost around $249, while a similar Blue Guardian plan may cost around $229 depending on options.
Drawdown & Risk Rules Compared
Quick Answer
Both firms enforce drawdown rules, but Blue Guardian may allow more flexibility depending on plan structure, while Funded Trading Plus applies static drawdown caps per phase.
Why it matters
Drawdown rules determine how much risk traders can take before failing a challenge.
| Risk Rule | Funded Trading Plus | Blue Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| Drawdown type | Static | Flexible depending on plan |
| Daily loss limit | Usually defined | Usually defined |
| Overall drawdown | Around 5% per phase | Around 6–8% depending on plan |
Example
Funded Trading Plus might enforce a 5% drawdown cap per phase, while Blue Guardian might allow 6–8% overall drawdown depending on the challenge.
Payout Structures Compared
Quick Answer
Funded Trading Plus generally schedules payouts after evaluation completion, while Blue Guardian may offer bi-weekly or scheduled payout cycles once funded.
Why it matters
Payout timing determines how quickly traders can access profits.
| Feature | Funded Trading Plus | Blue Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| Payout eligibility | After completing phases | After funded status |
| Frequency | Scheduled windows | Often bi-weekly |
| Profit split | High percentage | High percentage |
Example
Funded Trading Plus may allow monthly payouts, while Blue Guardian may allow bi-weekly withdrawals after meeting funded criteria.
Choosing Between Funded Trading Plus & Blue Guardian
Quick Answer
Choose Funded Trading Plus for structured multi-phase progression, and choose Blue Guardian for flexible evaluation options and reset policies.
Why it matters
The right evaluation structure depends on your trading discipline, strategy, and risk tolerance.
Consider Funded Trading Plus if you want
- Clear multi-phase progression
- Structured risk limits
- Fixed challenge fees
Consider Blue Guardian if you want
- Flexible evaluation formats
- Optional resets and extensions
- Adjustable drawdown profiles
Example
A trader who prefers clear evaluation checkpoints may choose Funded Trading Plus, while someone who values flexibility and reset options may select Blue Guardian.
Beginner Checklist
- Compare challenge fees for similar account sizes
- Understand drawdown definitions and risk rules
- Review profit targets and phase requirements
- Check payout frequency and minimum withdrawal rules
- Test trading strategies on demo accounts
- Plan position sizing to stay within risk limits
- Track required winning days if payouts depend on them
- Budget for resets if multiple attempts are likely
- Verify supported futures instruments
- Review official documentation for updates
FAQs
Is one program cheaper overall?
Costs depend on account size and reset attempts, so total expenses may vary.
Do both firms enforce daily drawdown limits?
Yes, both typically enforce daily and overall drawdown limits.
Which program pays out faster?
Payout cycles differ by plan; Blue Guardian often offers more frequent withdrawal opportunities.
Are reset costs common?
Blue Guardian often offers reset options, while Funded Trading Plus focuses on completing challenge phases.
Can I trade any futures contracts?
Available futures instruments vary between platforms, so always verify the supported products.
Do profit splits differ?
Both firms offer competitive profit splits, though exact percentages vary by plan.
Do prop firm rules change frequently?
Yes. Always check official documentation before starting a challenge.
Which challenge is easier to pass?
Difficulty depends on how well your trading style aligns with the platform’s risk rules.
Safety & Compliance Notes
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Proprietary trading funded programs carry risks, including the potential loss of challenge fees and trading capital. Terms, drawdown limits, payout policies, and supported markets may change, so always verify official documentation before participating.
Sources & Further Reading
Next Article To Read: Funded Trading Plus vs FTMO (futures): fees, drawdown rules, and payouts compared (2025)