Entry price
The cost of starting depends heavily on the chosen path. FundedNext follows a traditional pricing structure, while FundedHive uses a "Pay From Profits" (PFP) model to lower the barrier to entry.
- 10K Account: FundedHive costs $39 (PFP 1-Step) or $79 (Classic), while FundedNext costs $59.99 (Stellar 1-Step) or $32.99 (Stellar Lite 5K).
- 100K Account: FundedHive is $249 (PFP 1-Step) or $499 (Classic), whereas FundedNext is $569.99 (Stellar 1-Step) or $399.99 (Stellar Lite).
- Refunds: FundedNext returns 100% of the fee in cash with the first payout. FundedHive provides a 200% reward in Hive Coins, which can only be used to discount future purchases by up to 50%, never as withdrawable cash.
- The Hidden Entry Cost: FundedNext charges extra for features that are often standard: +10% for Swap-Free, +5% for EAs, and +30% for a 95% profit split.
What you pay while trading
Operating costs are significantly different due to commission structures and platform access.
- Forex Commissions: FundedHive charges a flat $3 per lot. FundedNext charges between $5 and $7 per lot depending on the account type.
- Indices and Metals: FundedHive applies a 0.003% rate. FundedNext offers commission-free trading on indices but charges $5-$7 on metals.
- Transaction Fees: FundedHive adds a $3 processing fee for card purchases.
- Platform Cost: FundedHive restricts you to cTrader. FundedNext offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, and TradingView, allowing you to avoid the "learning cost" of a new interface.
What mistakes cost you
In prop trading, a mistake is not just a loss; it is the cost of losing the account or being demoted to a non-profitable status.
- Drawdown: FundedHive uses a 10% static drawdown. FundedNext uses a 10% static drawdown for Stellar accounts but a 6% trailing drawdown for Instant accounts, which is more expensive as it "locks in" losses as you profit.
- The AADS Penalty: FundedHive has a unique cost: if you drop 1% below your initial balance, the AADS system moves you to "B-Book." Profits made in B-Book are not withdrawable; you must recover the balance to return to the profitable "A-Book" status.
- Risk Limits: Both firms enforce a 3% max risk per trade. Exceeding this in FundedHive pauses the account and requires paying a fee difference to resume.
What it costs to get paid
Withdrawing your profit is not free, and the methods chosen impact the final amount that reaches your pocket.
- Payout Fees: FundedNext deducts a 3.5% fee from every withdrawal. FundedHive does not charge a percentage fee but requires the trader to pay the Ethereum gas fees, which requires holding ETH in your wallet.
- Profit Split: Both start at an 80% split, but FundedNext allows you to pay for a 95% split via add-ons or scaling.
- Withdrawal Caps: FundedHive limits daily withdrawals to $1,000 (Classic/PFP) or $2,000 (InstantGrowth). FundedNext limits crypto withdrawals (USDT/USDC) to $1,000.
Where each one hides its cost
FundedHive hides its cost in the "Hive Coins" system; by not offering a cash refund, the firm ensures you remain a recurring customer to use your credits. It also imposes a "time cost" through its AADS system, which can render days of trading worthless if you dip slightly into the red.
FundedNext hides its cost in its "Add-on" menu. The base price is competitive, but a professional setup (Swap-free + EAs + Biweekly payouts) can increase the initial price by more than 50%. Additionally, their news trading rule only counts 40% of profits during high-impact events, which is an indirect tax on volatility traders.
Cheapest for whom
- FundedHive is the cheapest for high-volume scalpers who need the lowest possible commission ($3/lot) and for traders with very low starting capital who can utilize the PFP model.
- FundedNext is the cheapest for long-term traders who value a 100% cash refund of their entry fee and those who refuse to pay the high gas fees associated with the Ethereum network for every withdrawal.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a 100K challenge, FundedHive or FundedNext?
If you look at the sticker price for a standard 2-step evaluation, FundedHive is cheaper at $499 compared to $549.99 at FundedNext. However, FundedNext offers the "Stellar Lite" 100K option for $399.99, making it the absolute cheapest 100K entry between the two, provided you accept the 8% drawdown limit instead of 10%.
Does FundedHive or FundedNext offer a better refund policy?
FundedNext has a superior refund policy because it returns 100% of your registration fee in actual cash with your first payout. FundedHive does not offer cash refunds; instead, it gives you 200% of the fee in "Hive Coins," which are internal credits that can only be used to get a maximum 50% discount on future challenge purchases.
Which firm has lower trading commissions, FundedHive or FundedNext?
FundedHive is significantly cheaper for high-frequency trading, charging only $3 per lot on Forex. In contrast, FundedNext charges between $5 and $7 per lot. This means that for every 100 lots traded, you would pay $300 in commissions at FundedHive versus up to $700 at FundedNext.
Is it more expensive to use EAs on FundedHive or FundedNext?
It is more expensive on FundedNext because they treat EA usage as a paid "Add-on" that adds +5% to the total cost of your challenge. FundedHive allows the use of EAs without any additional purchase price, although both firms have strict rules prohibiting HFT, arbitrage, and other abusive automated strategies.





















