What you are signing up for
A prop firm evaluation is a test where you trade with virtual money to prove your skills. If you pass, the firm grants you a funded account where you keep a large portion of the profits.
Blue Guardian offers several entry points. Their "3 Step" challenge is the most affordable, costing $20 for a $5,000 account. Their standard "1 Step" (a single phase to pass) for the same amount costs $40.
Funded Elite has a unique "Activation" path. You pay a tiny $5 entry fee to start the test. If you pass, you then pay an activation fee (e.g., $159 for a $25,000 account) to get funded. They also have "Lite" challenges starting at $19 for a $5,000 account.
How hard each one is
Dificulty is measured by the profit target—the specific amount of money you must earn to pass—and the drawdown—the maximum loss allowed before you are disqualified.
- Blue Guardian: Most challenges require a 10% profit target. They feature a "Guardian Shield," an automated tool that closes your trades if you lose 2% of your balance in a day, acting as a safety net to prevent you from failing the whole account.
- Funded Elite: Their 1-step challenges require a higher 12% profit target. They also have a strict "maximum risk limit" where you cannot risk more than 50% of your daily loss limit on a single instrument (like Gold or a specific currency pair) on the same day.
How long it takes
Both firms have "unlimited trading days," meaning there is no deadline to hit your goal. This is perfect for beginners because it removes the pressure to trade during bad market conditions.
Blue Guardian has almost no minimum trading day requirements during the evaluation phase. Funded Elite requires you to trade for at least 3 days on their 1-step and 2-step accounts before you can move to the funded stage.
Where beginners fail
Most beginners fail because of the drawdown type.
- Static Drawdown: This is a fixed loss limit that never moves. If your limit is $9,500, it stays there even if your account grows. This is easier to manage.
- Trailing Drawdown: This limit follows your account higher. If you make a profit, your loss limit moves up with you, giving you less room for error if the market turns.
Blue Guardian uses trailing drawdown on many accounts, including their 1-Step and Instant plans. This makes them harder for a first-timer. Funded Elite uses static drawdown on their 1-Step and 2-Step evaluations, which is much more forgiving for a learner. Furthermore, Funded Elite offers a "Second Chance" feature for some accounts, giving you a free retry if you fail the first time.
What happens if you make it
Once you are funded, you receive a "profit split," which is your share of the gains. Blue Guardian usually gives you 85%. Funded Elite allows you to choose between 60% and 95% at checkout, which changes the initial price of the challenge.
Regarding platforms, both offer MetaTrader 5 and TradeLocker. However, there is a major difference in style:
- Blue Guardian allows EAs (Expert Advisors), which are automated trading robots.
- Funded Elite strictly prohibits automated trading; you must place every trade manually.
If it is your first time
If you want the lowest possible risk to your wallet, Funded Elite is the winner. Their $5 Activation path and their use of static drawdown (the fixed loss limit) make it much harder to fail by mistake compared to a trailing limit.
However, if you plan to use trading robots or want a "shield" that automatically closes losing trades for you, Blue Guardian is a better choice despite being slightly more expensive and having more complex loss limits.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to start a first evaluation, Blue Guardian or Funded Elite?
Funded Elite is cheaper because it offers an "Activation" account with an entry fee of only $5. Even their standard "Lite" accounts start at $19 for a $5,000 balance. Blue Guardian’s cheapest option is the "3 Step" challenge, which costs $20 for the same $5,000 balance.
Does Blue Guardian or Funded Elite offer a refund of the entry fee?
Funded Elite offers a refund of the initial fee, but it is only paid out with your third successful profit withdrawal. If you use their "Second Chance" free retry, you lose the right to this refund. Blue Guardian does not offer refunds on their evaluation fees according to the provided data.
Can I use automated trading robots (EAs) in Blue Guardian or Funded Elite?
Blue Guardian allows the use of EAs (Expert Advisors) for automated trading. In contrast, Funded Elite strictly prohibits automated trading and only allows manual trading tools. If you use a bot in Funded Elite, you will likely lose your account.
Which firm has a more beginner-friendly drawdown, Blue Guardian or Funded Elite?
Funded Elite is more beginner-friendly because it uses static drawdown (a fixed loss limit) on its 1-step and 2-step evaluations. Blue Guardian uses trailing drawdown (a loss limit that moves up as you make profit) on its 1-step and Instant accounts, which is generally considered more difficult for new traders to manage.
