Where you trade
The interface determines the tools at your disposal. Atlas Funded provides a broader range of options by offering MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker, and MatchTrader. This allows traders to choose between the classic analytical power of MT5 or the modern, web-based interfaces of TradeLocker and MatchTrader.
Funding Traders limits the choice to MetaTrader 5 and TradeLocker. By focusing on these two, they ensure compatibility with most automated tools (MT5) and a mobile-friendly experience (TradeLocker), though they lack the third alternative provided by Atlas.
Who executes your orders
Execution quality depends on the bridge to the market. Funding Traders explicitly names its brokers: FUTRAD and Galaxy Path Capital. This transparency allows traders to understand the liquidity environment they are operating in.
Atlas Funded operates with a technical setup integrated into its platforms, but the JSON data does not specify external third-party brokers, suggesting a more centralized execution model within their own infrastructure.
Leverage and margin
This is where the risk profiles diverge significantly from a technical standpoint:
- Atlas Funded: Offers a standard leverage of 1:100 for Forex. Its most critical technical rule is the Atlas Protector: if the account reaches a net floating loss of 2% of the initial balance, positions are closed. The first time this happens, the profit split is reduced to 50%; the second time, the account is terminated. Additionally, using 80% of the available margin triggers an automatic closure of positions.
- Funding Traders: Provides a more conservative leverage of 1:50 for Forex, 1:20 for Metals, and varies between 1:15 and 1:40 for Indices. Instead of a floating loss protector, they enforce a Maximum Risk Per Trade Idea of 2% of the initial balance (grouping trades in the same symbol and direction).
Markets available
Both firms cover the essential assets but with different emphases:
- Atlas Funded: Forex, Indices, Metals, Energies, and Crypto.
- Funding Traders: Forex, Crypto, Indices, and Commodities (specifically Oil with 1:10 leverage).
What the setup lets you do
The platforms are configured to allow or restrict specific styles through automated rules:
- Scalping: Funding Traders is more permissive, allowing pure scalping. Atlas Funded has a technical restriction: profits from trades held for less than 3 minutes are deducted from the balance (though the account remains open).
- Expert Advisors (EAs): Atlas Funded allows them without significant hurdles. Funding Traders only allows EAs developed personally by the trader or those focused strictly on risk management; "off-the-shelf" bots purchased online are prohibited.
- News Trading: In funded accounts, Atlas Funded automatically closes entries within the news window and deducts profits from trades opened/closed 5 minutes before or after. Funding Traders allows it but caps the profit from news at 30% of the total.
What the setup costs
The cost of execution and entry varies:
- Commissions: Funding Traders charges $3 per lot on Pro accounts (which can be removed with a "Swap-free/Zero Commissions" add-on). Atlas Funded focuses its cost structure on the entry fee.
- Challenge Prices: For a $100,000 account (2-step), Atlas Funded costs $443, while Funding Traders (Pro10) costs $750.
- Payouts: Atlas Funded processes payouts every 14 days (minimum $50-$100). Funding Traders has a default cycle of 21 days, although it can be reduced to 14 days via a paid add-on.
Better setup for
- Atlas Funded is the better setup for Day Traders and Swing Traders looking for high leverage (1:100), lower entry costs, and multiple platform choices, provided they can manage the 3-minute minimum hold time.
- Funding Traders is the better setup for Risk-focused Professionals who prefer lower leverage, institutional-style execution through known brokers, and the ability to scalp without time restrictions on trades.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a $100,000 account, Atlas Funded or Funding Traders?
Atlas Funded is significantly cheaper for this size. Its 2-step evaluation for $100,000 costs $443, whereas the Funding Traders 2-Step Pro10 equivalent is priced at $750. This represents a cost saving of over 40% in favor of Atlas Funded.
Does Atlas Funded or Funding Traders have a higher leverage for Forex?
Atlas Funded offers higher leverage, reaching 1:100 for Forex pairs. In contrast, Funding Traders limits leverage to 1:50 on its Pro accounts. This makes Atlas more suitable for traders who require more buying power relative to their balance.
Which firm allows the use of commercial EAs, Atlas Funded or Funding Traders?
Atlas Funded is the only one that allows them, as its rules are flexible regarding the origin of the software. Funding Traders strictly prohibits "off-the-shelf" EAs purchased or downloaded online; they only permit bots developed personally by the trader or those used exclusively for risk management.
Who has the shorter waiting period for the first payout, Atlas Funded or Funding Traders?
Atlas Funded generally offers a shorter wait, with the first payout available after 14 days on most plans. Funding Traders has a default waiting period of 21 days, which can only be reduced to 14 days if the trader purchases a specific add-on during checkout.
