What you are signing up for
In the prop firm sector, you don't trade with your own money immediately. You pay for an evaluation, which is a test on a demo account where you must prove you can trade responsibly. If you pass, the firm grants you access to a funded account where you keep a large portion of the profits.
- Blue Guardian offers very accessible entry points. Their 3-Step challenge (a test divided into three phases) for a $5,000 account costs only $20.
- Orion Funded has a unique product called "Orion Nova." You can start a $10,000 challenge for just $7. however, you must pay an "activation fee" of $109 after passing the test but before getting funded.
How hard each one is
The difficulty is measured by two main factors: the profit target and the drawdown. The profit target is the specific percentage of gain you must reach to pass the test. Drawdown is the maximum loss your account is allowed to hit before you are disqualified.
- Blue Guardian targets are usually 8% to 10% in their 1-step and 2-step programs. Their drawdown is often "trailing," meaning the loss limit moves up as your account balance reaches new peaks.
- Orion Funded has lower targets in some plans, like 6% in their Standard 2-step. They use "static drawdown" on their Standard and Swing plans, which is a fixed loss limit that stays at the same level regardless of how much profit you make, making it easier to manage for beginners.
How long it takes
Neither firm has a maximum time limit. You can take months to pass the evaluation if you prefer to be cautious.
- Blue Guardian requires no minimum trading days during the evaluation for most plans. However, once you are funded in the "1 Step Nano" plan, you must trade for at least 5 days before your first withdrawal.
- Orion Funded requires a minimum of 4 trading days per phase in their Standard, Swing, and Select accounts. This means you cannot pass the evaluation in a single day even if you hit the target immediately.
Where beginners fail
Most beginners lose their accounts due to the daily drawdown and the consistency rule. The daily drawdown is a limit on how much you can lose in a single day, calculated every 24 hours. The consistency rule means no single trading day can account for too much of your total profit (usually 20% to 50%).
- Blue Guardian enforces a 30-day inactivity rule. If you don't place a trade for a month, you lose the account. They also have "Guardian Shield," a tool that automatically closes your trades if you lose 2% of your balance in a day to help you avoid disqualification.
- Orion Funded is stricter with "news trading," which is opening or closing positions during high-impact economic announcements. In most of their funded accounts, you cannot trade 2 minutes before or after a "red folder" news event.
What happens if you make it
Once you are a funded trader, you receive a "profit split," which is your share of the gains.
- Blue Guardian offers an 85% profit split by default, which can go up to 100% in their "Nano" accounts. They process payouts within 24 business hours. If they are late, they give you 100% of the profits as a penalty to themselves.
- Orion Funded starts with an 80% split. They have a "scaling plan," which means if you are profitable over three months, they increase your account balance by 25% and your split to 90%. They refund your evaluation fee with your fourth payout.
If it is your first time
If you have a very small budget, Orion Funded and its $7 Nova challenge is the cheapest way to experience a real evaluation environment. However, for a beginner who wants a more traditional experience without "activation fees" and with higher initial profit shares, Blue Guardian is the safer bet. Their "Guardian Shield" protection and the fact that they offer a $20 entry for a $5,000 account make it very friendly for those who are still learning to manage their emotions.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a first $5,000 account, Blue Guardian or Orion Funded?
Orion Funded is technically cheaper to start with its Nova plan at $7, but it requires a $109 activation fee later. If you want a one-time payment, Blue Guardian is cheaper, offering a 3-Step $5,000 account for $20, while the Orion Standard $5,000 account costs $49.
Which firm offers a higher profit share, Blue Guardian or Orion Funded?
Blue Guardian offers a higher initial profit share of 85% on most programs and up to 100% on its Nano accounts. Orion Funded starts with an 80% profit split, which only reaches 90% if you successfully meet the requirements of their scaling plan over several months.
Who has stricter rules for trading during the news, Blue Guardian or Orion Funded?
Both have restrictions, but Orion Funded is generally stricter on funded accounts, prohibiting trades 2 minutes before and after high-impact news on Nova, Standard, and Select plans. Blue Guardian has a wider 5-minute restricted window before and after news, but this rule does not apply to their "Challenge" or "Guardian X" accounts, only to funded ones.
Which platforms can I use in Blue Guardian vs Orion Funded?
Blue Guardian offers more variety with three platforms: MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker, and MatchTrader. Orion Funded is more limited, offering only MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader for their traders.
