Entry price
The entry cost is where these two firms diverge most. Blue Guardian Futures operates on a one-time fee model for all evaluation plans. For a $50,000 account, you pay $100 for the Reserve plan or $209 for the Standard plan, and that is your total cost until you reach the funded stage.
Funded Futures Family primarily uses a monthly subscription model. While this lowers the barrier for a single month, it penalizes slower traders.
- For a $50,000 account, Funded Futures Family charges $159 monthly for the Premier EOD plan or $125 monthly for the Velocity plan.
- Funded Futures Family also requires activation fees on specific plans like Classic and Base Plan, whereas Blue Guardian Futures has no activation fees.
- For instant funding (no evaluation), Blue Guardian Futures Direct $50K costs $494, while Funded Futures Family S2F $50K costs $469.
What you pay while trading
While you are active in the markets, the costs continue to accrue differently. At Funded Futures Family, your biggest ongoing cost is the calendar; every 30 days, the subscription fee hits your card again. Additionally, commissions at Funded Futures Family depend on the platform (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic), meaning your "cost per trade" is variable and tied to third-party exchange and clearing fees.
At Blue Guardian Futures, there are no monthly fees during the evaluation. Once you move to a Live account, professional CME data fees and platform fees are deducted directly from your balance. The economic impact here is that Blue Guardian Futures shifts the trading cost from your pocket to your profit balance, whereas Funded Futures Family keeps a portion of the cost (the subscription) as an out-of-pocket expense.
What mistakes cost you
In prop trading, a mistake is measured by the cost of a reset or the distance to the drawdown limit.
- Blue Guardian Futures uses a trailing End-of-Day (EOD) drawdown. If you fail, a reset costs 30% off the original price.
- Funded Futures Family offers more complex risk costs. Some plans use EOD trailing, while others (like Elite or Base Plan) use Intraday trailing, which is more expensive for the trader as it counts "hidden" unrealized profits against you.
- A unique cost-saving feature of Funded Futures Family is that it allows up to 3 resets on funded accounts, whereas at Blue Guardian Futures, a funded fail means you must buy a brand-new challenge at full price.
What it costs to get paid
Getting your money out isn't free at either firm. Blue Guardian Futures charges a 2% processing fee on all withdrawals via Riseworks. However, they offer a "delay insurance": if they don't process your payout within 24 business hours, you get an extra 10% profit share. Their minimum withdrawal is $500.
Funded Futures Family has a lower barrier to exit with a $250 minimum withdrawal on most plans ($500 for the Base Plan). They do not charge a specific percentage fee like Blue Guardian Futures, but they have stricter "consistency" costs. For example, on the Prime plan, you must follow a 40% lifetime consistency rule, meaning if one lucky day accounts for more than 40% of your total profit, your payout is delayed until you trade more. This "cost" is measured in the extra time and risk required to balance your account.
Where each one hides its cost
Blue Guardian Futures hides its cost in the withdrawal phase. The 2% fee and the $500 minimum mean small-scale traders pay more to access their capital. Also, their "buffer" requirement on Standard and Express accounts means you must earn a specific amount (e.g., $2,100 on a $50K account) that you can never withdraw; it is effectively "dead capital."
Funded Futures Family hides its cost in the subscription and activation fees. A trader who takes three months to pass a Premier $50K account will have paid $477 in subscriptions before even reaching the funded stage. Furthermore, the Simulated Funded Profit Cap of $100,000 at Funded Futures Family acts as a long-term ceiling on your total earnings potential from the simulated phase.
Cheapest for whom
Blue Guardian Futures is the cheapest for the methodical trader who wants to take their time without the pressure of a ticking monthly clock. The one-time fee and 90% profit split favor those who prioritize long-term stability.
Funded Futures Family is the cheapest for the aggressive, high-frequency trader who can pass an evaluation in a few days and reach a payout within the first month. The ability to reset a funded account also makes it more economical for traders with a high "account turnover" rate.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a $50,000 challenge, Blue Guardian Futures or Funded Futures Family?
Blue Guardian Futures is cheaper in the long run with a one-time fee of $100 (Reserve) or $209 (Standard). Funded Futures Family starts at $125 or $159, but because these are monthly subscriptions, the cost doubles if you don't pass within 30 days.
Who has the lowest minimum withdrawal amount, Blue Guardian Futures or Funded Futures Family?
Funded Futures Family is more accessible, allowing withdrawals starting at $250 on most plans. Blue Guardian Futures requires a minimum of $500 across all account types, which is twice as high.
Does Blue Guardian Futures or Funded Futures Family charge a fee to withdraw profits?
Blue Guardian Futures charges a 2% processing fee on all withdrawals through Riseworks. Funded Futures Family does not list a specific percentage-based withdrawal fee, but they require traders to maintain a buffer and follow consistency rules to be eligible for payouts.
Which firm offers a better deal on resets, Blue Guardian Futures or Funded Futures Family?
Funded Futures Family offers a significant advantage by allowing up to 3 resets on funded accounts, whereas Blue Guardian Futures only allows resets on evaluation accounts (at 30% off). If you fail a funded account at Blue Guardian Futures, you must pay for a completely new challenge.
