Entry price
The cost of starting depends heavily on the model you choose, as both firms offer one-step, two-step, and instant funding paths.
- 10K Account (1-Step): City Traders Imperium costs $79, while Hola Prime is more expensive at $89.
- 50K Account (1-Step): City Traders Imperium is $299, while Hola Prime is $329.
- 100K Account (1-Step): City Traders Imperium costs $589, compared to $579 for Hola Prime.
- 2-Step 100K: City Traders Imperium charges $549, while Hola Prime varies between $569 (Prime) and $681 (Pro).
- Instant Funding: City Traders Imperium starts at $79 for a small $2,500 account. Hola Prime offers a $2K Direct account for $40.
What you pay while trading
Operating costs significantly impact your net profit, especially for high-frequency traders.
- Commissions: Hola Prime is cheaper here with $3 per lot on Forex, whereas City Traders Imperium charges $5 per lot.
- Expert Advisors (EAs): Using an EA is free on City Traders Imperium. On Hola Prime, it costs an extra 10% of the base fee, which adds $57.90 to a 100K Prime account.
- Swap-Free accounts: City Traders Imperium offers this for free. Hola Prime charges another 10% surcharge.
- Platform choice: Hola Prime charges a fixed $20 fee if you prefer to use cTrader.
What mistakes cost you
In prop trading, a mistake doesn't just cost pips; it can cost you the entire account.
- Stop Loss breaches: At City Traders Imperium, forgetting a stop loss is a "soft breach"—the system closes the trade for you. At Hola Prime, it is a "hard breach" that can lead to immediate account closure, losing your entire initial investment.
- Drawdown types: City Traders Imperium uses a trailing drawdown for 1-Step accounts, which is "more expensive" because it follows your peak equity. Hola Prime uses a static drawdown for Pro/Prime, which is more forgiving, but its Direct accounts use a trailing drawdown until the starting balance is reached.
- Inactivity: Both firms will close your account (a total loss of the entry fee) after 30 days of no trading activity.
What it costs to get paid
The money isn't yours until it hits your bank, and both firms have different "tolls" on the way out.
- Withdrawal Fees: Hola Prime charges a 2.5% fee on every payout (minimum $25 for wire/$5 for crypto). City Traders Imperium does not list a payout fee, making it more profitable per dollar earned.
- Minimum Profit: To withdraw from City Traders Imperium, you need at least 2% profit or $100. Hola Prime requires at least $50 for crypto/wire or $500 for Rise.
- Profit Split: Both start at 80% for standard challenges, but City Traders Imperium allows you to reach 100% through its VIP Silver level, whereas Hola Prime caps at 95% (and only if you pay a 20% surcharge at purchase).
Where each one hides its cost
- City Traders Imperium: The cost is hidden in the Consistency Score (for Instant/Pro programs) and the Minimum Profitable Days (7 days for funded accounts). These rules don't take your money directly, but they delay your ability to withdraw it.
- Hola Prime: The cost is hidden in the Add-ons. By the time you add EAs (+10%) and Swap-free (+10%) to a Pro account, the price has increased by 20% before you even place your first trade.
Cheapest for whom
City Traders Imperium is the cheapest for automated traders and those who want to keep 100% of their profits eventually without paying payout taxes. Hola Prime is the cheapest for manual, short-term traders who only need a basic MT5 setup and prefer the lower $3 commissions, provided they don't mind the 2.5% fee on their earnings.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a 100K evaluation, City Traders Imperium or Hola Prime?
For a 1-Step 100K evaluation, Hola Prime is cheaper at $579 compared to $589 at City Traders Imperium. However, for a 2-Step 100K evaluation, City Traders Imperium is more affordable at $549, while Hola Prime costs $569 for its Prime version and $681 for its Pro version.
Does City Traders Imperium or Hola Prime charge more for using EAs?
City Traders Imperium is significantly cheaper for EA users because it allows them for free on most challenges. In contrast, Hola Prime requires a paid "EA Trading" add-on that costs an additional 10% of the evaluation price, and it is completely prohibited on their Direct accounts.
Which firm has higher withdrawal costs, City Traders Imperium or Hola Prime?
Hola Prime has higher withdrawal costs because it charges a 2.5% fee on every payout (with a minimum of $25 for bank transfers). City Traders Imperium does not charge a specific payout fee according to its data, although it does require you to reach a minimum net profit of 2% or $100 before requesting your first payment.
Is the cost of a mistake higher at City Traders Imperium or Hola Prime regarding stop losses?
The cost is much higher at Hola Prime, where failing to set a stop loss is considered a hard breach that can lead to account termination. At City Traders Imperium, not using a stop loss is a "soft breach," meaning the system will simply close the trade automatically after one minute, but you keep your account.
