What you are signing up for
A prop firm evaluation is a test where you trade with virtual capital to prove you are a skilled trader. If you pass, the company shares a portion of the real profits you generate.
The entry cost is your first major difference. Hyperticks Futures uses a one-time purchase model; for example, their 100k "Beginner" plan costs $278, and you don't pay again unless you fail and want to restart. TradeDay operates on a monthly subscription. Their 100k "Fast Pass" is currently discounted to $149 per month. If you take three months to pass the test at TradeDay, you will end up paying more than the single fee at Hyperticks. Neither firm currently charges an activation fee, which is a setup cost some companies apply after you pass the test.
How hard each one is
To pass, you must reach a profit target, which is the specific amount of money you need to earn to complete the evaluation. At Hyperticks, the 100k Beginner target is $5,000. At TradeDay, the 100k Fast Pass target is higher at $6,000.
Both firms use a "trailing drawdown." Drawdown is the maximum amount you are allowed to lose before your account is closed. "Trailing" means this loss limit follows your profit; if your account balance goes up, the floor of what you can lose also moves up, but it never moves back down. Hyperticks offers an "End-of-Day" drawdown on its Beginner plans, meaning the limit only updates when the market closes. This is much more forgiving than the "Intraday" drawdown used in many TradeDay plans, which updates in real-time as your trade is active.
How long it takes
A first-time trader needs to know about minimum trading days, which is the number of separate days you must place a trade before being eligible to pass.
- Hyperticks has no minimum trading days, though you must still meet consistency rules.
- TradeDay's "Quick Pay" plans require 5 trading days, while their "Fast Pass" plans have no minimum.
Neither firm imposes a "maximum trading days" limit on their standard plans, meaning you can take as long as you need to reach the profit target without the pressure of a deadline.
Where beginners fail
The "Consistency Rule" is the most common trap. This rule ensures you didn't just get lucky on one single trade. It requires that no single day's profit accounts for more than a certain percentage of your total gain. Hyperticks requires 35% consistency during the evaluation. TradeDay is stricter on its "Fast Pass" plans, requiring 45% consistency.
Beginners also fail due to specific risk restrictions. Hyperticks prohibits risking more than 2% of your account on a single trade idea. TradeDay prohibits trading during major "Tier 1" news releases (2 minutes before and after), and violating this can lead to automatic account closure.
What happens if you make it
If you pass, you move to a funded phase. Hyperticks offers a 90% profit split, meaning you keep $9 out of every $10 earned. TradeDay offers an 80% split in their simulated funded phase, which increases to 90% only if you are moved to a "Funded Live" account.
For platforms (the software you use to trade), TradeDay is better for those who want to use Tradovate or NinjaTrader. Hyperticks is ideal for users of TradingView or specialized tools like ATAS and Volumetrica. Both allow you to withdraw via Crypto or traditional methods like Wire transfers, with a minimum withdrawal amount of $250.
If it is your first time
For a complete beginner, Hyperticks Futures is the recommended choice. The "End-of-Day" drawdown on the Beginner plans is significantly easier to manage than the real-time trailing drawdown often found at TradeDay. Additionally, Hyperticks offers "Booster Tokens," which are add-ons that can restore your progress if you make a mistake. The one-time payment also removes the psychological pressure of a recurring monthly bill while you are still learning the basics.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a 100k evaluation, Hyperticks or TradeDay?
Hyperticks is generally cheaper for slower traders because it charges a one-time fee of $278 for the 100k Beginner account. TradeDay charges a monthly subscription of $149 (discounted) for the 100k Fast Pass. If you take more than two months to pass the TradeDay evaluation, Hyperticks becomes the more economical option.
Which firm has easier withdrawal rules, Hyperticks or TradeDay?
TradeDay is more flexible for early withdrawals through its "Quick Pay" system, which allows for day-one payouts with no buffer required. Hyperticks has more rigid maximum withdrawal limits in the beginning (e.g., $3,000 for a 100k account). However, both firms share the same $250 minimum withdrawal requirement.
Does Hyperticks or TradeDay offer better support for learning?
TradeDay offers a much more robust educational environment, including 1-on-1 coaching sessions for purchase (subsidized at $99) and a dedicated Discord community. Hyperticks focuses more on the trading environment and its "HTP" loyalty coin system, but it does not offer the same level of direct professional coaching that TradeDay provides to help beginners improve.
Which firm has stricter rules for news trading, Hyperticks or TradeDay?
TradeDay is stricter because it prohibits opening or closing trades 2 minutes before and after Tier 1 news releases, and violations can lead to auto-liquidation. Hyperticks allows you to keep existing positions open during news events; it only prohibits opening new trades or modifying stop-loss/take-profit levels during a 10-minute window (5 minutes before and after).
