Entry price
The cost of starting depends entirely on whether you want to prove yourself first or trade live capital immediately.
- 10k Evaluation: City Traders Imperium costs $79 (1-Step) or $99 (2-Step). FunderPro charges $109 for its Classic or One Phase models.
- 50k Evaluation: City Traders Imperium costs $299 (1-Step) or $329 (2-Step). FunderPro is slightly cheaper at $319 for its Classic and One Phase models.
- 10k Instant Funding: FunderPro is much cheaper here at $169, compared to the $259 (Standard) or $399 (Pro) charged by City Traders Imperium.
- Refunds: City Traders Imperium returns 100% of the fee once you hit a 10% profit on the funded account (except for Instant Pro). FunderPro refunds the fee with the first reward for Classic and One Phase accounts.
What you pay while trading
Operating costs are often hidden in commissions and leverage, which dictate how much capital you must "spend" in margin for every position.
- Commissions: City Traders Imperium charges a fixed $5 per lot on Forex and Metals. FunderPro does not charge commissions during the challenge phase, applying them only once you are funded.
- Leverage: FunderPro offers up to 1:100 on Classic challenges, which is "cheaper" in terms of margin requirements. City Traders Imperium limits leverage to 1:30 for Forex, requiring you to have more free equity to open the same size positions.
- Assets: Both offer Forex, Indices, and Crypto. However, FunderPro includes Stocks, which are absent from City Traders Imperium, expanding the earning potential for equity traders.
What mistakes cost you
In prop trading, a mistake isn't just a loss; it's the total loss of your initial investment.
- The cost of forgetting a Stop Loss: At City Traders Imperium, not using a SL is a "soft breach." The system closes your trade after 1 minute, which might cost you a spread or a bad exit price, but it saves your account. FunderPro does not mandate a SL.
- Drawdown types: City Traders Imperium uses a trailing drawdown on its 1-Step accounts, which is "more expensive" because it follows your peak balance, making it harder to keep the account during a winning streak followed by a correction. FunderPro uses a fixed drawdown on challenges, which is more forgiving.
- Consistency costs: FunderPro imposes a consistency rule on its One Phase (40%) and Pro (45%) challenges. If you have one "too lucky" day, you haven't lost the account, but you must trade much more to dilute that profit, delaying your payout.
What it costs to get paid
Getting your money out also has its own price tag in terms of time and profit sharing.
- Profit Split: Both start at 80%. However, City Traders Imperium allows you to scale up to 100% if you reach the Silver VIP level. FunderPro offers a 90% split but only as a paid add-on.
- Payout hurdles: To get paid at City Traders Imperium, you need at least 7 profitable days and a minimum of 2% net profit. FunderPro requires 5 profitable days for its Instant program, with a minimum withdrawal of $100.
- Inactivity: Both firms will fail your account if you are inactive for 30 days, essentially costing you the entire sign-up fee.
Where each one hides its cost
- City Traders Imperium: The cost is hidden in the Instant Funding Pro model, which has the highest entry prices and offers no refund of the sign-up fee, making it a high-risk investment.
- FunderPro: The cost is hidden in the Add-ons. If you want to hold trades over the weekend (Swing), get a 90% split, or receive your first payout in 7 days, you must pay extra at the checkout, increasing the real entry price.
Cheapest for whom
- The Budget Challenger: City Traders Imperium is the winner for those with less than $100 who want to attempt a $10,000 evaluation.
- The Instant Capital Seeker: FunderPro is significantly cheaper for those who want to skip evaluations and start trading a $10,000 or $50,000 account immediately.
- The High-Leverage Trader: FunderPro is better, as its 1:100 leverage allows for larger positions with less margin, whereas City Traders Imperium's 1:30 is more restrictive.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a $10,000 evaluation, City Traders Imperium or FunderPro?
City Traders Imperium is cheaper, offering a 1-Step challenge for $79 and a 2-Step for $99. In contrast, FunderPro charges $109 for its Classic and One Phase evaluations at that same account size.
Which firm has a lower entry cost for instant funding, City Traders Imperium or FunderPro?
FunderPro is the more affordable option for instant funding. A $10,000 instant account at FunderPro costs $169, while City Traders Imperium charges $259 for its standard Instant Funding and $399 for the Pro version.
Does City Traders Imperium or FunderPro offer a better refund policy?
Both firms offer refunds, but the conditions differ. City Traders Imperium refunds 100% of the fee for 1-Step and 2-Step accounts once you reach a 10% profit target on the funded stage. FunderPro refunds the fee upon the first successful reward withdrawal for its Classic and One Phase accounts.
Which firm is more restrictive regarding trading styles like EAs and News, City Traders Imperium or FunderPro?
FunderPro is generally more flexible but uses "Add-ons" to monetize features; for example, news trading on funded accounts requires a specific paid add-on. City Traders Imperium allows EAs and news trading but strictly prohibits Martingale and Grid strategies (except in the 1-Step challenge) and mandates a Stop Loss on all trades.
